The motherboard is, arguably, the most important device in your computer. All the crucial components of your system like the hard drive, memory, external cards and power supply are held by the computer motherboard. Your motherboard will also determine what processor you can use, what external cards you can add to enhance your system and also the peripheral devices you can attach. It is therefore evident that any problem in the motherboard will result in your computer malfunctioning. Ways on how to test motherboard and how to check motherboard model and compatibility are discussed below.
How to Test Motherboard
Follow these instructions on how to check motherboard to find out if it works fine or not
There will be certain diagnostic tools you will come across on your manufacturer's website. Download these tools from there and follow directions mentioned there to test your motherboard.
Restart your desktop computer and enter the Setup or BIOS configuration settings. Take a note of the current settings and reset your BIOS configuration to default settings.
If you have attached any peripheral devices like printers or USB drives, remove them. Also take out any video, sound or graphic card you might have attached to your motherboard. Unplug the hard drive, memory and processor from their respective slots. Gently fix them back at their positions after wiping them with dry cloth. See that there are no loose connections and all wires are properly connected. Now when you start your computer again, it should start and not display an hard drive error. In case it does, the problem is something else.
Exchange parts like power supply, video card or graphic card, from your computer motherboard with a working computer, and check them one by one until you find the troublesome one. Replace it, restart your computer and re-configure BIOS settings to what they were before you reset them to default.
How to Check Motherboard Model in XP
The best way to check motherboard model is to have a look at the motherboard yourself, by opening up the CPU case. You will notice numerous white colored slots one besides the other. Besides these slots, you come across a distinct slot of a different color and shape. In case the slot is colored and of medium length, your motherboard model is AGP, and if the slot is colored and long in length, your motherboard model is PCI-Ex16/2.0. If these slots are missing, you will find a number written on the motherboard, in extremely small fonts. This number is your motherboard model number.
Another way to determine your motherboard model number is to download and run certain applications on Windows XP, specifically designed for this purpose, which can easily be found on the internet. You can also check the manufacturer's website if you know your computer model number.
How to Check Motherboard Compatibility
There are two major companies manufacturing motherboards- Intel and AMD. If you know how to check motherboard model number, you can easily look up website of your manufacturer to get all details regarding motherboard compatibility.
In case you are using an Intel motherboard, then your motherboard should have either Socket 775 or Socket 478. The former has pins directly attached on the motherboard itself, while the latter holes on the motherboard wherein you insert pins. This solves the issue of type of socket present in your motherboard. You will now need to determine the chip-set present on the motherboard and also the type of chips it will support. Check your motherboard specifications from the website online to figure this out.
More complicated than Intel motherboards, are AMD motherboards. They have a massive variety of chip-sets and sockets for their motherboards. In case you are using one, there is no option but to refer the manufacturer's website or to consult an authorized company personnel, in order to check it's compatibility.
Troubleshooting Tips and Tools
The computer hardware includes devices such as the mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, scanner, etc. All are machines, and can at some or the other time fail to function. However, you can perform some basic computer troubleshooting tips to make them functional. If they don't seem to work with the troubleshooting tools, you need to send them for hardware repair. Let's discuss some of the computer troubleshooting tips that can generally be used.
Monitor
If the monitor is not working, using the computer is useless as you can't view what you are doing. If it's not displaying the content, the first thing you need to do is to ensure that it has been turned on by pressing the on/off button. The next thing you have to do is to check if the cable which connects the computer monitor and the CPU is connected properly. If not, connect it in a proper manner, or remove and plug it in again. Also make sure that the cord which is used to power the monitor is plugged in the UPS the right way. If this doesn't function the monitor, you need to check both the cables turn by turn on a different monitor which is in working condition. If the other monitor doesn't work with any one of the cords, that cable needs to be replaced. If the other monitor works with both cords, there is possibly a problem in your monitor. If you are unsuccessful in starting your monitor, you may turn off the PC, restart it in few minutes, and then check whether the monitor is working or not. When all efforts fail, a professional technician should be consulted.
Keyboard
The keyboard is also an important part of the computer, without which you are unable to perform several PC tasks. The keyboard should be kept away from dust for its proper functioning. If it doesn't work, you first need to check its connection with the CPU. If the connection is fine, and still it's nonfunctional, simply try to connect it to another PS/2 socket, or USB port (in case of a USB keyboard). In case of wireless keyboards, special drivers are needed to be installed in the computer for proper functioning. Ensure that such drivers are installed. Also make a point to check whether the drivers are updated. Hold the keyboard in an inverted manner and remove the dust or debris which is hampering the proper working of a key or a set of keys. You can also remove dust with the help of a vacuum cleaner or an air compressor.
Mouse
If the cursor on the screen is not moving in a smooth manner, you need to check for dust or any residue on the trackball rollers which enable the computer to accurately identify the movement of the mouse. Remove the rear mouse cover which will let the ball come out, clean the trackball if needed, remove the dust or residue, put the ball in again, and finally put the cover back. Check whether this works. If the cursor doesn't move at all, check whether the mouse is correctly connected to the CPU. If it's a USB mouse, try to use a different USB port. There can also be possibilities of a virus, if the mouse pointer doesn't work in an acceptable manner. Run an anti-virus software and delete the virus as soon as possible. Also check if the mouse drivers are corrupted, if yes, reinstall them.
Printer
If the printer doesn't work, there is a possibility of a paper jam which normally occurs if the papers are not placed in the tray in a right manner. In case of bigger printers, you may need to open various printer parts to get to the place where there is a paper jam. This exclusively has to be done by a professional printer technician. Don't use tools to remove the paper jam as some components may get damaged during the process. If the printer doesn't turn on, the power cord may be loose, and needs to be plugged in properly. The cord which connects the printer to the computer also needs to be checked.
These are some of the very common computer hardware troubleshooting steps which can be followed before taking the PC to a professional hardware repair shop.
