Difference between revisions of "Motherboard Testing"
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(boards we like to test & formating) |
(deleted updated motherboard types and replaced with updated "boards we like" list) |
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==Process== | ==Process== | ||
| − | ;Check the | + | ;Check to see if it is on the list of motherboards we like to test by identifying the socket #. |
| − | * | + | == Boards We Like to Test == |
| − | * | + | * [[wikipedia:Socket 423|Socket 423]] |
| − | *Socket | + | * [[wikipedia:Socket 462|Socket 462]] |
| + | * [[wikipedia:Socket 478|Socket 478]] over 1.8 GHz | ||
| + | * [[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]] | ||
[[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 9: | Line 17: | ||
; 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 discoloration. |
; 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 | ||
Revision as of 14:05, 20 May 2009
Process
- Check to see if it is on the list of motherboards we like to test by identifying the socket #.
Boards We Like to Test
- Socket 423
- Socket 462
- Socket 478 over 1.8 GHz
- Socket 479
- Socket 603
- Socket 754
- Socket 775
- Socket 939
- Socket 940
- Socket AM2
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 discoloration.
- 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
Flow Chart
Here's a chart flow that can help you to visualize the process
