Motherboard Troubleshooting

Motherboard Troubleshooting

1. Power Issues

   • If power supply can't get enough power to the system...
     • It may unexpectedly shut down.
     • It may continuously reboot itself.
     • It may not power on at all.
   • What to do if power supply is failing
     • 1. Purchase a new power supply.
       • 2. Remove the old power supply from the system
         • 3. Mount the new power supply.
           • 4. Connect the new power supply to the motherboard and to all other internal devices.
             • 5. Power the system on and verify that the symptoms have been eliminated.
   • Pin 8 on the power supply connector
     • connects to the power good wire on the motherboard
     • If power disappears off that wire, the motherboard shuts down
     • If power quickly reappears on that wire, the system may attempt to come back on by itself, resulting in continual reboots
     • If power does not reappear on this wire, then the system will shut off

2. Boot Errors

   • Power On Self-Test (POST)
     • Runs every time the PC boots
       • a problem is identified during POST, an error is generated
         • Numeric codes
           • 201 error code may indicate a memory problem
           • 301 error indicates the keyboard did not respond correctly during POST
         • Error messages
         • Audible beeps
       • Error messages being prevented?
         • malfunctioning video adapter
           • use a POST card to access POST error codes
             • Most models use an LED display to report any error codes generated during POST
               • expansion board that is inserted into an expansion slot in the motherboard
                 • some POST cards also include a USB interface

3. Distended Capacitors

4. Missing BIOS/UEFI Settings

5. Overheating

6. Intermittent Device Failure

7. Smoke or Burning Smell

   • Turn off computer if you see smoke
     • connector isn't seated properly
     • short circuit
     • improperly installed component