The motherboard is hard to miss when you open the computer’s case. It holds the expansion cards, the memory modules and the processor, and also has connections for the cables coming from your hard drive, CD or DVD drive, and other components. Check to see that all of the expansion cards and memory modules are fully seated in their respective slots and that all locking clips or other restraining devices are completely closed. Cards and memory modules are not properly seated if a large portion of the metal contacts on the bottom of the unit are visible above the motherboard slot, or if metal contacts at one end stick up more than those at the other end, indicating that the unit is seated crooked in the slot. Look closely at the metal contacts on expansion and memory slots for signs of corrosion. Also, look for corrosion and signs of bulging on all of the barrel-shaped capacitors on the motherboard, as these types of damage indicate the need for a motherboard replacement.
If any part of the motherboard is cracked, scratched, or has a soldered-on component that has broken loose, a complete replacement is also in order. Finally, make sure the ends of all cables are pressed completely into their respective slots. Moving internal cords and cables out of the way to make room when removing or adding components can sometimes pull cables loose, causing the hardware on the other end of that cable to malfunction.
The best place to find out the exact motherboard your computer uses is to look in the documentation that came with the system, but there are a number of free tools that provide even more information than the manual does. One of the best tools is System Information For Windows (free; www.gtopala.com). Download the latest version, double-click the file, and click the Motherboard entry in the Hardware section. The most important information you’ll need when troubleshooting is the model and SMBus type. It is highly recommended that you visit the computer or motherboard manufacturer’s Web site every few months to download and install the latest motherboard driver software, and you’ll need to know the exact model of the motherboard to obtain the right software to perform this upgrade.
Keeping the driver up to- date helps eliminate bugs in your system, improves hardware compatibility, and may even boost your computer’s overall performance. Motherboard problems are notoriously difficult to troubleshoot because many of the problems experienced with them are also associated with particular hardware devices. For example, motherboard problems can cause system lockups, but trouble with memory, video cards, and power supplies can also freeze the computer. If the computer refuses to turn on, it may be a motherboard issue, but it is more likely to be a problem with the hard drive or with Windows. Damage to the motherboard can cause hardware malfunctions, and improper motherboard settings can cause hardware incompatibilities, but faulty hardware generally is to blame. Despite their complexity, motherboards are pretty reliable if the drivers are up-to-date, and you should always troubleshoot other hardware before focusing your attention on the motherboard. Motherboards are very susceptible to damage from static electricity so be sure to touch a grounded piece of metal before you start poking around. Better still, get a grounded wrist strap, which should be available at nearly every computer store, and always wear it while working inside the computer’s case.
Problem: Nothing happens when I press the power button.
Solution: In rare cases, the power button itself breaks, so open the case and inspect the button for damage before trying anything else. If that isn’t the cause, then the motherboard may be fried due to electrical damage, but this problem most often happens after you install a hardware component and accidentally unseat the motherboard’s internal power plug from its socket. The size and shape of this socket (and sometimes there are two separate sockets) varies depending on the type and age of your motherboard, but the documentation that came with your computer should let you know where to look. You are looking for the power supply’s ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) plug, which has either 20 or 24 pins, and the ATX socket, which has an equal number of holes to accommodate the power pins. Some motherboards that have 20-pin ATX sockets also have a 4-pin ATX socket located elsewhere on the board, and both of these must be powered by separate cables for the motherboard to function. All you need to do is make sure the power plugs are fully seated in the sockets and the computer should boot.
Solution: Those beeps you hear are diagnostic codes that indicate the motherboard has detected some serious trouble. The beeping patterns and their meanings differ depending on the type of motherboard you have, so you’ll need to refer to the motherboard’s documentation or contact the manufacturer to find out the specifics.
Problem: When I press the power button, the computer seems to boot (the fans run properly, for example) but nothing appears on the monitor.
Solution: This indicates a problem with the video card, the monitor, or the motherboard’s integrated video or video expansion card slot. Check the cable between the video output and the monitor, make sure the monitor is turned on and set to the appropriate input, and reboot the computer. If there is still no video, open the case to make sure your add-in video card (if you have one) is seated properly and secured into place. If that’s not the problem, remove the video card according to the instructions it came with, connect the monitor to the motherboard’s integrated video output (if your motherboard has an integrated video output not all do), making sure to enable the appropriate BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) setting as detailed in the computer’s manual, and see if that works. If your system uses the motherboard’s integrated video rather than a separate video card, install a video card in the motherboard’s video expansion slot and change the BIOS setting to bypass the integrated video hardware. If none of those options work, you may need to replace your system’s motherboard. You can learn more about tweaking a BIOS in “Basic Troubleshooting: BIOSes” at www.smartcomputing .com/rs1101/BIOS.
Problem: I just installed a new video card or sound card but the new one isn’t detected.
Solution: Many motherboards have integrated sound and video hardware, and the problem in this scenario is that the motherboard isn’t switching audio or video responsibilities over to the new hardware device. To force your motherboard to relinquish control to the new add-in card, you must disable the integrated audio or video hardware using the motherboard’s BIOS settings. This procedure differs from motherboard to motherboard so you’ll need to consult the computer’s manual.
Problem: I have to install a new hardware component or remove an old one, but the force needed to insert or remove it seems excessive, and I’m afraid I’ll crack the board.
Solution: No component should cause the motherboard to flex when it is inserted or removed, let alone cause enough force to threaten cracking the board. If this problem arises when inserting memory modules, check the edges of the memory slot to make sure any locking clips are completely opened. Most memory module clips are designed to lock into place automatically when the module is fully seated in the slot, but you may need to manually push each clip into its completely locked position. Another common problem when inserting memory modules is that some are designed to be pressed straight down into the slot while others are designed to be inserted at a slight angle and then swung into a vertical position, where they lock into place. Look at the instructions that came with the modules or the documentation that came with the motherboard to see which insertion method your memory slots require. When inserting expansion cards, particularly video cards, look for locking clips that must be opened before the card is inserted or held open as the card is inserted. Most modern motherboards have video card slots with locking mechanisms that must be manually held open when a card is removed, so look for one before accidentally applying excessive force when you remove the card. Never rock an expansion card or memory module back and forth to get it into place or you risk damaging the metal contacts, and never put pressure on the side of the card or the memory module or you’ll risk breaking off the delicate plastic slot. Don’t touch any metal contacts on the motherboard or the hardware, and be extremely careful when screwing or unscrewing expansion cards into place, because if the screwdriver slips it can scratch and ruin the motherboard.
Problem: I just installed a new hardware component that requires a power connection, and now the PC won’t boot or reboots itself at random times.
Solution: Inexpensive computers often come with very basic power supplies that can’t provide enough electricity to accommodate the fastest video cards, multiple hard drives, or other power-hungry components. Unfortunately the total wattage ratings most power supply manufacturers apply to their products overstate the amount of electricity they can consistently output, so even if you add up all of the wattage used by your components and it comes in under the stated output of the power supply, these types of problems can still happen. First you should remove the newlyadded hardware and see if the computer runs in its original configuration. If it does, you’ll likely need to upgrade to a new power supply or replace the new component with something that uses less wattage. Be sure to check carefully with the manufacturer before ordering a new power supply because some motherboards, like those found in a lot of Dell systems, use proprietary connections that prevent the installation of a third-party power supply.
Problem: I installed more memory but Windows doesn’t recognize it.
Solution: Bad memory modules aren’t very common, but test the computer with a different module if possible to see if the one you originally installed was a dud. The most common cause of this problem is that some motherboards require that memory modules be installed in pairs. Most RIMM memory modules, for example, must be installed in pairs that match exactly in speed and capacity or they won’t work. Newer systems that support dual-channel DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) modules will work when the memory modules are installed singly, but performance is enhanced (sometimes dramatically) if you install matched pairs of RAM modules instead (i.e. you get better performance using two 512MB modules than from using a single 1GB module, even though the overall memory capacity remains the same). Check the manual carefully when installing memory to make sure you place the modules in the correct slots.
Problem: The computer never keeps track of time properly.
Solution: Motherboards have a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) memory area that is used to store the time, date, and essential data the PC used when starting up. The CMOS must be constantly powered to retain data, even when the PC is turned off or unplugged, so it is attached to a small battery. Open the case, find the small silver battery on the motherboard, and remove it carefully. Take it to a battery or electronics store to find an exact replacement, put the new one in, and access the BIOS or CMOS setup screen to make any necessary changes to the BIOS, as those settings are lost when the battery is removed. If you don’t see a silver battery, the motherboard may use a soldered- on battery, in which case you’ll need to have it professionally replaced or purchase a new motherboard.
0 comments:
Post a Comment