Difference between revisions of "Motherboard Testing"

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(merging with motherboards page)
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*Socket type (Slot 1, Slot A, Socket A, Socket 370…)
 
*Socket type (Slot 1, Slot A, Socket A, Socket 370…)
  
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.[[Image:Blown_fuse_screenshot.JPG |thumb|''[[Blown capacitors]]'' Check for curved or leaking top.]]
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[[Image:Blown_fuse_screenshot.JPG |thumb|''[[Blown capacitors]]'' Check for curved or leaking top.]]
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;Check the capacitors
 
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*If only one capacitor is bad, send the motherboard to recycle except if it is one that supports Pentium P4.
 
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*If  no capacitors look bad, carry on…
 
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;After checking the packaging and the socket type that matches the motherboard,
 
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*Identify the motherboard by manufacturer, model, version
 
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*Go to the manufacturer website or just search via google and determine with which range of processor the motherboard is compatible. 
 
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*Put a compatible heatsink with a fan on top of it.
 
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;Add some memory : DIMM modules, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM or Rambus RDRAM (remember to install Rambus in pairs and use CRIMMs).
 
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;Attach all the cables on the motherboard.
 
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*Use an IDE cable (40 pin)to connect the hard drive to the Primary IDE.
 
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*Use the second IDE cable to connect the CDROM drive to the Secondary IDE.
 
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*Use the floppy cable (34 pin)to connect the Floppy Drive to the motherboard.
 
  
 +
; 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.
 
;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).
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*Try to get the board to POST (see flowchart).
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; Attempt to post
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*If board beeps but won't post, check the [[Beep Codes]] and diagnose the problem.
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* connect the minimal things needed to post (power, keyboard, video, etc)
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* if you need help see flowchart below.
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===FROM NOW ESD PRECAUTION===
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* If board beeps but won't post, check the [[Beep Codes]] and diagnose the problem.
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*While testing, when you change the display screen, sometimes the mouse doesn't respond. At this point, NO PANIC !!! All you need to do is to press Ctrl + Alt + F1 then Ctrl + Alt + F7 and you get it back.  
+
; Power down, then attach:
−
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* Use an IDE cable (40 pin)to connect the hard drive to the Primary IDE.
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*Now you are ready to connect the ATX power connector on the motherboard. Then turn the power supply on.
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* 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.
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*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)
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; 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)
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; Boot up to Operating System
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*Now starts the fun. You’re mission if you accept it is to determine if this motherboard works or not.
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* Check that the mouse and keyboard work
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* If you have on board video check that it works.
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*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.
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* Test all the USB ports with a mouse
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* If you have on board sound play a audio cd, if not then take a look at a data cd
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.[[Image:Dip_switches_screenshot.JPG|thumb|''[[Dip switches]]'' Check for dip switches setting in the motherboard manual.]]
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* run stress-test
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; Some cases might call for testing
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*You can also have a look to the BIOS jumper setting or dip switches if present on the motherboard. They are sometimes not set properly. See manufacturer manual.
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* RAID
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* SATA
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*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)
 
−
 
 
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*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.
 
−
 
 
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*When the system boots, you will be able to check one more time that the basic hardware are detecting.
 
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*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===
 
===Useful links===

Revision as of 13:16, 26 June 2008

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…)
Blown capacitors Check for curved or leaking top.
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

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.

Flow Chart

Here's a chart flow that can help you to visualize the process

This is a graph with borders and nodes. Maybe there is an Imagemap used so the nodes may be linking to some Pages.

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