Do you have technical issues with your computer lately? When a failing computer is stressing you out and causing you to miss out on a lot of work, then you might need to check for hardware issues. One common hardware that might be causing this problem is the motherboard.
Also known as the mainboard, it functions as the main printed circuit board or PCB that allows the communication of all hardware components in a computer. When this fails, the whole machine will not function well.
Unless you are considering an upgrade, replacing a motherboard should be the last thing that you have to do to resolve any problems. Aside from the fact that other attached components must be compatible with the current model you have, the constant changes in technology will make it hard for you to find the exact model that your computer has.
Thus, it is highly important for you to eliminate first all possibilities before resorting to buying a replacement. If you suspect that your motherboard is causing all the ruckus, below is a guide on what to do before making any conclusions.
Check for Obvious Signs
When your computer suddenly acts strangely, then it is safe to assume that your motherboard is causing the problem. One way of telling a failing component is through boot failure.
Failing to start up completely, increasing error warnings, and the blue screen of death are just some of the symptoms that your motherboard is going bad. Watch out for frequent freeze-ups and device connectivity issues.
Check the Connections and Peripherals
Regarding device connections and boot failure, make sure that the power cord is properly plugged. Loose connections might cause repeated shutdown, so check for the peripheral connectors. Bootable CD, flash drive, hard drive, and external HD may also prevent boot up, so unplug those first before reattempting to initiate startup.
Likewise, ensure that your optical drive does not contain DVDs or CDs in it, and disconnect external devices, such as scanners and printers. It is possible that your printer is in need of printer repair and may affect bootup process.
When adjusting and/or unplugging problematic peripherals resolves the problem, then you might just need to make adjustments in your BIOS settings. For information on how to do this, you can refer to the operating manual of your computer or the manufacturer’s site for instructions on resetting the BIOS.
Better yet, hire an IT professional to check and reset the BIOS, especially if you know very little about it, to avoid long-term or permanent problems.
Listen for Beeping Sounds
On the other hand, when the computer fails to boot up at all, listen for beep patterns. Through the sound, you can tell what the problem is most likely. A beeping sound that is increasing in succession indicates a motherboard failure. It starts with a single beep, followed by three, four, or five beeps. Additionally, when the parallel or serial port is damaged, you will hear four beeps initially with two, three, or four beeps subsequently. Both beep patterns indicate a damaged motherboard.
Perform Basic Troubleshooting
Before messing with the hardware though, make sure that you have completely tried your hands on finding a remedy by checking the application settings and system. This is only possible if your computer has booted up the operating system successfully.
When the start-up is complete and suddenly went off, you can lightly tap any key to see whether it will turn on again. If it does, then this is simply an issue with the settings. All you need to do is to tweak the sleep mode settings and change the timer.
However, when this happens after a hardware update, then you might need to use Windows System Restore, and revert to a point when your computer was working fine. On the contrary, malware, bugs, and viruses might take control of your components and simulate hardware issues. Simply run the Defender application or any anti-malware scans you have on your computer to remove any of these fiendish bots.
If you are completely unfamiliar with the computer components and you simply want to get a quick solution to your problem, never attempt to fix this on your own. Avoid worsening the damage.
And when changing any of the system’s settings, make sure that you write down the current settings just in case when the changes will not help. Check the warranty clauses and go to an authorised repair centre.
But when the warranty is already void, then you may proceed to a reliable computer repair service for an affordable option.
