Q&A for How to Debug a Dead Motherboard

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My PC doesn't start. I changed the power supply cable. SMPS is working with other systems but does not work on my system. Is it a motherboard problem?

Community Answer

Your motherboard may have been fried. However, it could be other parts that caused this. Check every part. If you truly think it is your motherboard, it may be time for a new one.

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My PC does not stop when I press the power button. What do I do?

Community Answer

You may have to hold the button down for about 10 seconds to force the computer off. Of course, you're supposed to use the virtual "Turn Off Computer" button in the operating system, not the hardware button on the front of the computer. The operating system (such as Windows) writes a lot of files to the hard drive when you ask to turn the computer off, and then it powers down. It gets messy if you force a power-down without giving the operating system a chance to write those files.

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My PC isn't booting. The small light on the motherboard is glowing so I don't think the SMPS is faulty. I think the motherboard is fired or the BIOS chip is corrupted. What should I do?

Community Answer

It might be the power supply. There are boot-up error readers - a little troubleshooting board you can plug into a PCI slot or somewhere else on your motherboard. t will confirm if all the voltages are in range and stable, and can also determine if other devices are faulty. Like, even if a CPU fan froze up, the computer won't boot. These error-reading devices flash codes, and include a cheat-sheet for you to look up what the code means.

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Question

My PC will not start. SMPS is working with other systems, but when I connect that SMPS to my system it does not start. Also, I checked another SMPS with my system and it will not work. Is it a motherboard problem, or what?

Community Answer

It could be your motherboard. I also faced this problem running Windows 7 and Intel Pentium dual core, I replaced the motherboard and it is working fine now! I suggest you check your motherboard.

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My PC won't boot after two hours of attempted restarts. Is this a motherboard issue?

Community Answer

My bets are on the power supply. Try a computer troubleshooting aid. Search Newegg or Amazon for PC test kits or diagnostic cards. These troubleshooting cards can read out codes to tell you what the problem is.

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How do I test a motherboard without a CPU or RAM?

Community Answer

There is no proper way of checking a motherboard without a CPU and RAM, but you can partially check using a diagnostic card.

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My CPU fan is running and the hard drive LED is blinking, but there is no signal on the monitor. Also, there is no beep on starting. What can I do?

Community Answer

Remove all components except power supply and little beep speaker. Turn on the power and see if you get a single beep from the MB. If so, MB is working. If not, problem is PS or MB, and a PS swap out is necessary to check. Powering off and on with each, add 1 RAM stick at a time using slots recommended in the manual or just trying them all, then other components one at a time. Any time you fail to get a beep, the last element you added is the problem. If a machine has been working fine and suddenly won't boot, 90% of the time I find it's the RAM - either bad or improperly seated. Due to constant heating and cooling, RAM chips tend to work loose from contacts, or just plain go bad.

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