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When it comes to issues regarding computer hardware, motherboard defects are among the
most dreaded of all. The motherboard is one of the most expensive components of a computer
such that having a dead motherboard would basically mean burning a fairly large hole in your
pocket. Sometimes, computer owners and even technicians prematurely declare some
motherboards as "dead on arrival" or "dead on the spot" without performing comprehensive
diagnostic tests. This article will guide you toward carrying out relevant tests in order to
ascertain that a motherboard is dead.
Note
Before you perform any actions with your motherboard or any other components
attached to it, be sure to discharge yourself of static electricity. If possible, buy yourself
a static wrist band and use it before interacting with your motherboard. If you dont
have access to a static wristband, a simple way of discharging your bodys static
electricity is by tapping a smooth metal surface using your fingers. Most technicians
use the computers power supply for this trick. Why is it essential to discharge
yourself? The circuitry in your computer motherboard are sensitive to any form of
electrical charge; even minute ones like the static electricity of your body.
Administering an unwanted charge towards the motherboard could cause alteration
enough to destroy the motherboard or cause it to malfunction.
other hardware defect and ascertain that your motherboard is indeed dead. The last
thing you would want to do is dispose a still working motherboard due to a wrong
diagnosis.
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2.2
Remove the RAM and the third-party video card (if there is any) and power up
your computer.
In this step, we will try to rule out a memory or video card defect. Most motherboards
will produce a beep code similar to the POST beep if it detects that no RAM is
installed. But unlike the POST beep, RAM error beep code is characterized by long
and repetitive beeps. So if you hear this kind of beep after powering up your
motherboard, we could deduce that the motherboard is not dead and it is actually the
RAM that is causing the problem. If no such beep is produced, then you should
continue with the remaining diagnostic tests.
3.3
Reset the RAM in other slots if there are any.
Most boards do not produce a beep if no RAM is installed. Another way to rule out a
RAM-related defect is to try and reset the RAM stick in other memory slots if
possible. This further rules out the possibility of RAM stick or RAM slot defect.
4.4
Try another working RAM if possible.
If an extra, compatible RAM stick is at hand, you might as well try and use it on your
motherboard to ultimately rule out memory-related issues.
5.5
6.6
Try a different power supply.
There are instances wherein your computers power supply may look functional and
normal, but the opposite actually holds true. Just because the power supply fan or
the CPU fan is spinning and the power LED lights are on doesnt necessarily mean
your power supply is delivering the necessary voltage to your motherboard. If you
have a spare power supply or if you know someone who has, work your way to get a
hand on it and try it on your motherboard.
7.7
Remove the motherboard out from the case and place it on an insulated
surface.
In tech speak, this is commonly called as breadboarding. This step is essential to
check for shorting or grounding issues. While on the breadboard, connect the
motherboard back to the power supply and power it up once again.
8.8
Reset the CMOS.
By this time, we are running out of cards to play. Desperate times call for desperate
measures. This is one desperate measure. The CMOS or complementary metaloxide-semiconductor is a part of the motherboard that is commonly known for
housing the BIOS settings for older motherboards. Modern computers often have
their own non-volatile memory to store BIOS settings so they do not use CMOS for
that function anymore. Nevertheless, CMOS is still considered a viable option for
troubleshooting motherboard boot-up problems, regardless if it is a modern or old
board.
There are two ways to reset your motherboards CMOS. The first one is to remove
the CMOS battery, a silver disc resembling that of a watch battery, from the
motherboard. You may need to consult your motherboards documentation to locate
the battery. You need to attach the CMOS battery back to its slot after at least 5
minutes and power up the motherboard thereafter. Again, you should cross your
fingers
and
wait
for
short
beep.
If that didnt work, you might try another way. You may need to use jumpers to
perform a Hard Reset on your CMOS. The location of these jumpers and the process
to reset the CMOS by using them vary from one motherboard brand to another, so
the best way to get a hold of comprehensive information about this process is
through your motherboards manual. After successfully carrying out the necessary
steps, power up your motherboard, cross your fingers and wait for a short beep.
9.9
Try inserting your other system hardware components (RAM, CPU, Power
Supply) to a similar motherboard.
You have exhausted all the possible steps to rule out a dead motherboard problem.
Unfortunately, it appears that a dead motherboard might just be the case here. This
last step could be the final nail on the coffin for your predicament. Migrating all the
essential hardware attached to your motherboard to another working motherboard
and successfully booting up with the new setup is the only surefire way to validate if
your motherboard has finally succumbed to the death harbinger.
See more questions like this: CPU is not booting, CPU & SMPS FAN is working, but
CPU power light is not working please help
1.1
Plug the system in, and see if the battery light comes on.
2.2
If it does not come on, then there is no power cycling through the system.
This is your first problem (though there could still be others).
3.3
If it shows a battery light, then you have power to the system, which is a good sign.
4.4
Unplug the system and remove the battery.
5.5
Make sure you're properly grounded to remove any static charge.
6.6
Touch the metal chassis of your unplugged system to ground out everything.
7.7
Switch your RAM (RAM 1 goes in RAM2 slot, etc.).
8.8
Put everything back, and try to restart.
9.9
If it works, you have a bad RAM stick.
10.
10
Repeat this until you've cycled through all of your system RAM (2 or 4 sticks).
You can use a Sharpie or other permanent marker to mark your RAM (I, II, III, IIII). That way
you know which is which, or you can just remove them and cycle them one at a time.
11.
11
12.
12
Remove your processor, instead of your RAM, and then replace the processor.
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