Motherboard Testing

Check the motherboard and be able to identify :

-        Motherboard type (ATX family, Baby AT, LPX, NLX

-        Packaging type ( SECC, PGA…)

-        Socket type (Slot 1, Slot A, Socket A, Socket 370…)

Check the capacitors.

-        If only one capacitor is bad, send the motherboard to recycle except if it is one that supports Pentium P4.

-        If  no capacitors look bad, carry on…

After checking the packaging and the socket type that matches the motherboard,

-        Identify the motherboard by manufacturer, model, version

-        Go to the manufacturer website or just search via google and determine with which range of processor the motherboard is compatible.

-        Put a compatible heatsink with a fan on top of it.

Add some memory : DIMM modules, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM or Rambus RDRAM.

Attach all the cables on the motherboard.

-        Use an IDE cable to connect the hard drive to the Primary IDE.

-        Use the second IDE cable to connect the CDROM drive to the Secondary IDE.

-        Use the third IDE cable to connect the Floppy Drive to the motherboard.

Check the battery for the CMOS, if less than 3 volts replace it.

FROM NOW ESD PRECAUTION.

Now you are ready to connect the ATX power connector on the motherboard. Then turn the power supply on.

The system can POST immediately or if not, you need to turn on the switch on the motherboard. (You have to be careful and make the contact between two metallic pins)

Now starts the fun. You’re mission if you accept it is to determine if this motherboard works or not.

Before to make any hurry diagnostic, be sure that your processor is compatible and works, the memory modules are reliable, AGP video card is working.

You can also have a look to the BIOS jumper setting if present on the motherboard. They are sometimes not set properly. See manufacturer manual.

Ok so now your motherboard POST correctly and let you access the Basic Input/Output System or BIOS. (Esc, F1, F10 or Delete are the potential key to access it)

At this stage, you need to know that the BIOS recognize the Hard Drive, the CDROM drive and the floppy drive. Don’t worry if you don’t see the CDROM drive in the bios it doesn’t show it all the time, but instead you will pay close attention to the screen when booting.

When the system boots, you will be able to check one more time that the basic hardware are detecting.

From now you can consider the motherboard is working. Don’t forget to stick a gizmo number on it with a quick description of the processor.

Useful links :

http://www.motherboards.org/ http://www.intel.com/ http://www.amd.com/us-en/