• Around The HomeToggle Menu

    • Entertainment
    • Productivity
    • Smart Home
  • FamilyToggle Menu

    • Parenting
    • Toys
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • ReviewsToggle Menu

    • Phones
    • Tablets
    • Laptops
    • Desktops
    • Wearables
    • Audio
    • Cameras
    • Headphones
    • Printers
    • Smart Home
    • TVs
    • Gaming and Video
  • One Cool ThingToggle Menu

    • Frugal Tech
    • Kickstarters
    • Videos
  1. Home
  2. Around The Home
  3. Productivity
  4. How to Test a Computer Motherboard

How to Test a Computer Motherboard

By: Techwalla Computers Editor
  • Share
  • Share on Facebook

How to Test a Computer Motherboard. A motherboard is the base of the computer, providing power and processing to the hard drive, memory, internal cards and peripherals. If your computer won't boot, cards or peripherals fail or system error messages pop up, one of the first things you should do is test the computer motherboard.

Step

Download free diagnostic tools from your motherboard manufacturer's website or other reliable websites. Follow the directions to test the motherboard. If a BIOS upgrade is available, download and run it.

Step

Change the CMOS battery if the computer will not keep the right time or save configuration settings.

Step

Turn on the computer. Press the appropriate key to get into the Setup or BIOS configuration. Write down all BIOS settings. Set the BIOS to default settings.

Step

Remove unnecessary cards and peripherals, like sound cards and modems. Disconnect the hard drive.

Video of the Day

Step

Take out the memory and processor. Reseat them gently and firmly in their slots. Check for loose connections on chips and jumper caps. Turn on the computer and note whether it powers on and displays a hard drive error. If not, continue to troubleshoot.

Step

Swap the power supply and video card with parts from a working computer. Test the computer again. If it powers on, replace the components one at a time until you find the one causing a problem.

Step

Replace components one at a time until you find the card causing a problem. Turn on the computer. Enter the BIOS configuration screen. Configure the settings to the previous setup.

Show Comments

Related Articles

How to Fix NVIDIA Graphic Card Problems

How to Fix NVIDIA Graphic Card Problems

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Ruri Ranbe
How to Determine a CPU Socket Type

How to Determine a CPU Socket Type

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Charles Jackson
How do I Repair the Real Time Clock Error?

How do I Repair the Real Time Clock Error?

Around The Home
Productivity
By: David Weedmark
How to Know If a Motherboard Is Bad

How to Know If a Motherboard Is Bad

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Larry Amon
How to Repair a Memory Slot

How to Repair a Memory Slot

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Lita McLeary
5 Components That Are Found on the Motherboard

5 Components That Are Found on the Motherboard

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Jason Artman
  • HOW WE SCORE
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • TERMS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • COPYRIGHT POLICY
  • Advertise

An error occurred. Try again later.

Thanks for signing up!
© 2019 Leaf Group Ltd. Leaf Group Media

Get great tech advice delivered to your inbox.

Keep your family productive, connected, entertained, and safe.

Please enter a valid email.