Difference between revisions of "Motherboard Testing"
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(Primary IDE identification "written on mobo") |
(added AM2 and 478 and oldcpu and knowncpu) |
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==Process== | ==Process== | ||
− | ;Check | + | ;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…) |
− | * | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
[[Image:Blown_fuse_screenshot.JPG |thumb|''[[Blown capacitors]]'' Check for curved or leaking top.]] | [[Image:Blown_fuse_screenshot.JPG |thumb|''[[Blown capacitors]]'' Check for curved or leaking top.]] | ||
Line 17: | Line 9: | ||
; Check for visual defects (blown caps, mutilated components) | ; Check for visual defects (blown caps, mutilated components) | ||
* If only one capacitor is bad, send the motherboard to recycle except if it is one that supports Pentium P4. | * If only one capacitor is bad, send the motherboard to recycle except if it is one that supports Pentium P4. | ||
− | * look for burn marks or | + | * look for burn marks or discolerment. |
; After checking the packaging and the socket type that matches the motherboard, | ; After checking the packaging and the socket type that matches the motherboard, | ||
* Identify the motherboard by manufacturer, model, version | * Identify the motherboard by manufacturer, model, version | ||
Line 29: | Line 21: | ||
* If board beeps but won't post, check the [[Beep Codes]] and diagnose the problem. | * If board beeps but won't post, check the [[Beep Codes]] and diagnose the problem. | ||
; Power down, then attach: | ; Power down, then attach: | ||
− | * Use an IDE cable (40 pin)to connect the hard drive to the Primary IDE | + | * Use an IDE cable (40 pin)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 second IDE cable to connect the CDROM drive to the Secondary IDE. | ||
* Use the floppy cable (34 pin)to connect the Floppy Drive to the motherboard. | * Use the floppy cable (34 pin)to connect the Floppy Drive to the motherboard. | ||
Line 40: | Line 32: | ||
* run stress-test | * run stress-test | ||
; Some cases might call for testing | ; Some cases might call for testing | ||
+ | * RAID | ||
* SATA | * SATA | ||
; If the motherboard works and is worthy of the store then label it. | ; If the motherboard works and is worthy of the store then label it. | ||
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* If you just want an answer to any question around the computer or to understand something, go to http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ | * If you just want an answer to any question around the computer or to understand something, go to http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ | ||
+ | == Boards We Like to Test == | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Socket 423|Socket 423]] | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Socket 462|Socket 462]] | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Socket 478|Socket 478]] | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Socket 479|Socket 479]] | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Socket 603|Socket 603]] | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Socket 754|Socket 754]] | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Socket 775|Socket 775]] | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Socket 939|Socket 939]] | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Socket 940|Socket 940]] | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Socket AM2|Socket AM2]] | ||
==Flow Chart== | ==Flow Chart== | ||
Line 65: | Line 69: | ||
start [label="START HERE", shape="box", style="bold"] | start [label="START HERE", shape="box", style="bold"] | ||
− | |||
bios [label="Enter the BIOS", shape="box", style="bold"] | bios [label="Enter the BIOS", shape="box", style="bold"] | ||
− | |||
recycle [label="RECYCLE", shape="box", style="bold"] | recycle [label="RECYCLE", shape="box", style="bold"] | ||
− | + | capacitors [label="Are there any\nBLOWN CAPACITORS?"] | |
− | capacitors [label=" | + | addstuff [label="If needed, add \nRAM, VIDEO\nand/or POWER SUPPLY", shape="box"] |
− | + | connections [label="Check the connections\nDoes it post?"] | |
− | + | memory [label="Move and\nchange memory modules\nDoes it post?"] | |
− | + | video [label="Are you using\nONBOARD VIDEO?\nTry an AGP card\nand/or a PCI card\nDoes it post?"] | |
− | memory [label=" | + | oldcpu [label="Does it still have\nthe CPU\nUit came with?"] |
− | + | knowncpu [label="Swap the CPU\nDoes it post?"] | |
− | video [label=" | + | jumpers [label="Check the JUMPERS\nand BIOS DIP SWITCHES\n(See manufacturer manual)\nDoes it post?"] |
− | + | cmos [label="Clear the CMOS\nDoes it post?"] | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | jumpers [label="Check the | ||
− | |||
− | cmos [label=" | ||
start -> capacitors | start -> capacitors | ||
capacitors -> recycle [label="YES"] | capacitors -> recycle [label="YES"] | ||
− | capacitors -> | + | capacitors -> addstuff [label="NO"] |
− | + | addstuff -> connections [label="NO"] | |
− | + | addstuff -> bios [label="YES"] | |
+ | connections -> cmos [label="NO"] | ||
+ | connections -> bios [label="YES"] | ||
cmos -> memory [label="NO"] | cmos -> memory [label="NO"] | ||
cmos -> bios [label="YES"] | cmos -> bios [label="YES"] | ||
memory -> jumpers [label="NO"] | memory -> jumpers [label="NO"] | ||
− | memory -> bios [ | + | memory -> bios [taillabel="YES"] |
jumpers -> video [label="NO"] | jumpers -> video [label="NO"] | ||
− | jumpers -> bios [ | + | jumpers -> bios [label="YES"] |
− | video -> | + | video -> oldcpu [label="NO"] |
video -> bios [label="YES"] | video -> bios [label="YES"] | ||
− | + | oldcpu -> recycle [label="NO"] | |
− | + | oldcpu -> knowncpu [label="YES"] | |
− | + | knowncpu -> jumpers [label="NO"] | |
− | + | knowncpu -> bios [label="YES"] | |
} | } | ||
</graphviz> | </graphviz> |
Revision as of 15:47, 20 May 2009
Process
- 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 for visual defects (blown caps, mutilated components)
- If only one capacitor is bad, send the motherboard to recycle except if it is one that supports Pentium P4.
- look for burn marks or discolerment.
- 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.
- Check the battery for the CMOS, if less than 3 volts replace it.
- Add some memory
- DIMM modules, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM or Rambus RDRAM (remember to install Rambus in pairs and use CRIMMs).
- Attempt to post
- connect the minimal things needed to post (power, keyboard, video, etc)
- if you need help see flowchart below.
- If board beeps but won't post, check the Beep Codes and diagnose the problem.
- Power down, then attach
- Use an IDE cable (40 pin)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 floppy cable (34 pin)to connect the Floppy Drive to the motherboard.
- Boot to Memtest, Let it run for a minute, it will run for ever if you let it (The memtest program is a boot option on the hard drive)
- Boot up to Operating System
- Check that the mouse and keyboard work
- If you have on board video check that it works.
- Test all the USB ports with a mouse
- If you have on board sound play a audio cd, if not then take a look at a data cd
- run stress-test
- Some cases might call for testing
- RAID
- SATA
- If the motherboard works and is worthy of the store then label it.
processor type and or speed type of memory it takes special featuers
Useful links
- Information on different motherboards with summary description, it's quiet commercial but it provides quickely the basic information you're looking for : http://www.motherboards.org/ For complete and accurate information on motherboard just go to manufacturer website like Abit [1], Asus [2], MSI [3] and the others. Sometimes you are able to download the motherboard manual.
- The two main processors manufacturers can be visited on : http://www.intel.com/ and http://www.amd.com/us-en/
- If you just want an answer to any question around the computer or to understand something, go to http://computer.howstuffworks.com/
Boards We Like to Test
- Socket 423
- Socket 462
- Socket 478
- Socket 479
- Socket 603
- Socket 754
- Socket 775
- Socket 939
- Socket 940
- Socket AM2
Flow Chart
Here's a chart flow that can help you to visualize the process