Difference between revisions of "Testing Standard Documentation in Advanced Testing"
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+ | [https://docs.google.com/a/freegeek.org/document/d/1wPdjW9I5B1EIVEjyWl4Nwgk67paNOtXYOncdebbuU-I/edit?usp=sharing Link] | ||
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==Motherboard Testing== | ==Motherboard Testing== | ||
[[User:Tex|Tex]] 20:37, 26 May 2010 (UTC) | [[User:Tex|Tex]] 20:37, 26 May 2010 (UTC) | ||
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;If NO go on to the next step | ;If NO go on to the next step | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Check | + | | Check for visible damage || |
*Check for blown capacitors. Do a careful visual check. Then do it again. This will save you wasted time further down the road. '''ANY''' domed capacitors warrant recycling the board. | *Check for blown capacitors. Do a careful visual check. Then do it again. This will save you wasted time further down the road. '''ANY''' domed capacitors warrant recycling the board. | ||
*Check for damaged sockets or other damage to devices on the motherboard. If it is a socket 775 or socket xxxx check carefully for bent socket pins with a magnifying lens. If there '''ARE''' bent pins recycle the board. It's not worth time repairing the socket. | *Check for damaged sockets or other damage to devices on the motherboard. If it is a socket 775 or socket xxxx check carefully for bent socket pins with a magnifying lens. If there '''ARE''' bent pins recycle the board. It's not worth time repairing the socket. | ||
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*Broken or missing memory slot attachment arms are no reason to reject a board as long as the board passes all the other tests. | *Broken or missing memory slot attachment arms are no reason to reject a board as long as the board passes all the other tests. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | Prep for testing || |
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*Place the motherboard on the test jig. | *Place the motherboard on the test jig. | ||
*Orient the motherboard so the external ports (printer, PS2, USB, etc.) are facing you | *Orient the motherboard so the external ports (printer, PS2, USB, etc.) are facing you | ||
− | * | + | *Have motherboard testing kit on hand |
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|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | Check for CPU|| The CPU heatsink may be installed, but someone may have removed the CPU prior to submitting the motherboard for testing. |
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*If it '''DOES''' have a CPU installed, just test the board with the existing processor. | *If it '''DOES''' have a CPU installed, just test the board with the existing processor. | ||
− | *If '''NO''' processor is in the CPU socket | + | *If '''NO''' processor is in the CPU socket find the appropriate CPU for the board. |
− | *Look up the motherboard user manual for the appropriate CPU to use. A library of motherboard manuals is usually kept on the Advanced Testing research laptop. If the manual does not exist, perform an internet search to find one and save it to the appropriate folder on the laptop | + | *Look up the motherboard user manual for the appropriate CPU to use. A library of motherboard manuals is usually kept on the Advanced Testing research laptop. If the manual does not exist, perform an internet search to find one and save it to the appropriate folder on the laptop. |
− | * | + | * Try the highest processor speed for the socket type. |
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Installing a processor in the CPU socket ||'''BE CAREFUL!''' Processor pins are gold alloy and bend easily. Use the standard practice for inserting CPU's in the motherboard socket as recommended in the user manual. | |Installing a processor in the CPU socket ||'''BE CAREFUL!''' Processor pins are gold alloy and bend easily. Use the standard practice for inserting CPU's in the motherboard socket as recommended in the user manual. | ||
− | *If you bend a pin or pins, you can use a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil and magnifying lens to right the bent pins. If you snap off any of the processor pins, recycle the processor. Each pin is required for proper functioning of the CPU | + | *If you bend a pin or pins, you can use a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil and magnifying lens to right the bent pins. If you snap off any of the processor pins, recycle the processor. Each pin is required for proper functioning of the CPU. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Apply '''THERMAL''' grease on the processor||Use only enough thermal grease on the top surface of the processor to provide a thin film coating. Applying too much thermal grease creates a '''barrier''' that traps heat in the CPU causing premature failure. |
|- | |- | ||
|Install the heatsink || | |Install the heatsink || | ||
− | *Make sure the heatsink is clean - use the air compressor to blow out | + | *Make sure the heatsink is clean - use the air compressor to blow out dust if needed |
*Visually verify all parts are present and they work | *Visually verify all parts are present and they work | ||
*Some motherboards have 4 pin heatsink power connectors. It is best to '''USE''' 4 pin heatsinks in this case. | *Some motherboards have 4 pin heatsink power connectors. It is best to '''USE''' 4 pin heatsinks in this case. | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Install memory||Refer to the user manual for appropriate memory. | |Install memory||Refer to the user manual for appropriate memory. | ||
− | *If a | + | *If a U.M. is not available, start with DDR 400 MHz 1GB memory stick. |
*If DDR2, use 1 GB 667 MHz memory stick. | *If DDR2, use 1 GB 667 MHz memory stick. | ||
*For each reboot, place the memory stick in a different memory slot until all slots have been verified as functional. | *For each reboot, place the memory stick in a different memory slot until all slots have been verified as functional. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |Install video|| | + | |Install video||Use on-board video connector if present. |
− | *If no on-board video present, select a '''TESTED | + | *If no on-board video present, select a '''TESTED GOOD''' video card appropriate to the type of on-board video slot present |
*Connect the video cable - use an adapter if needed. | *Connect the video cable - use an adapter if needed. | ||
*If motherboard has a dual SLI video option, verify the small selector card in the middle of the two video card slots is inserted indicating '''Single Video Card Use'''. | *If motherboard has a dual SLI video option, verify the small selector card in the middle of the two video card slots is inserted indicating '''Single Video Card Use'''. | ||
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| Uh oh - the motherboard is beeping furiously at me! || Power down the motherboard. The beeping normally means either: | | Uh oh - the motherboard is beeping furiously at me! || Power down the motherboard. The beeping normally means either: | ||
− | *You have the wrong speed memory installed. Power down the motherboard, choose the next slowest speed memory card, and reboot. | + | *You have the wrong speed memory installed. Power down the motherboard, choose the next slowest speed memory card, and reboot. This usually fixes the beeping problem. |
*You have the wrong processor speed/FSB speed/L2 cache size cpu installed. Refer to the user manual for the motherboard for the correct speed processor. If no user manual is available try a processor with a slower FSB speed, smaller L2 cache, or slower processor speed. | *You have the wrong processor speed/FSB speed/L2 cache size cpu installed. Refer to the user manual for the motherboard for the correct speed processor. If no user manual is available try a processor with a slower FSB speed, smaller L2 cache, or slower processor speed. | ||
*Make 2 or 3 attempts at fixing the beeping problem before deciding to recycle the motherboard. | *Make 2 or 3 attempts at fixing the beeping problem before deciding to recycle the motherboard. | ||
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|} | |} | ||
− | + | = NOTES = | |
− | + | Reasons '''NOT''' to reject a motherboard on preliminary inspection | |
− | + | *Missing PS2 ports as long as there are USB ports available. | |
+ | *Missing on-board sound (resolved with PCI based sound cards). | ||
+ | *Missing LAN ports (resolved with PCI based LAN cards) | ||
+ | *Missing on-board video (resolved by PCI, PCI-e, or AGP slots on the motherboard) | ||
+ | *Missing PCI slots - as long as there are PS2 or USB, video, and sound ports on the board. | ||
+ | *Broken or damaged Northbridge, Southbridge, or SUPERIO chip heatsinks can be replaced as can any on-board fans. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Motherboards '''GENERALLY''' have a standardized layout as follows: | ||
+ | *Upper left quadrant contains the memory slots, main power connector, floppy connector, and either one to two IDE connectors (if any...) | ||
+ | *Upper right quadrant contains SATA connectors, SOUTHBRIDGE chip, RAID connector (if any), front panel header, USB header(s) | ||
+ | *Lower right quadrant contains AGP/PCIe video slots, PCI slots, button battery (this can actually be in this quadrant or the upper right), PCI extender slot, and audio header | ||
+ | *Lower left quadrant contains the CPU socket, CPU heatsink, the 12 volt power connector (4 pin Molex), and all the external connectors |
Latest revision as of 13:54, 18 April 2014
This page has been migrated to a document on Free Geek's Google Drive. Information remaining behind may no longer be relevant. MIGRATOR: When you have tagged this page as migrated, (Link to new page immediately below.) |
Motherboard Testing
Tex 20:37, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing..
NOTESReasons NOT to reject a motherboard on preliminary inspection
Motherboards GENERALLY have a standardized layout as follows:
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