"Changing Your Computer's
Motherboard"
Author: W.P. Flinn, Updated
12/8/05
For those of you who build your own
computers, or wish to do an upgrade of your motherboard and processor, this
article is for you. If your motherboard or processor fails, chances are
you won't be able to buy an identical replacement, especially if you have had
your computer for awhile. Believe it or not, changing your motherboard and
processor, while retaining your original hard drive, doesn't necessarily mean
that you have to reinstall your entire operating system from scratch.
Description:
Overview:
This article describes procedures for replacing an obsolete or defective motherboard and
CPU. If a new system is being built from scratch, skip to Step 4 in the
procedures.
Before installing any piece of computer equipment, please be sure to read
the documentation which comes with the equipment thoroughly. There are a number of
issues which will be addressed in this section, including equipment compatibility, safety,
installation procedures, and troubleshooting.
Compatibility:
It is important to be sure that the form factor of the motherboard being installed
is the same as the chassis in which it will be installed. Prior to purchasing a
motherboard, measure the inside of the chassis, as well as the positions of any
motherboard mounting holes. Note the type and shape of the power supply connector(s)
to ensure that they will correctly fit onto the new motherboard. Note the size and
location of the keyboard connector hole in the case, to ensure that a motherboard with the
proper keyboard and/or mouse type will be used in this case.
It is also important to ensure that the motherboard, CPU and memory are
compatible, and will properly connect together, as well as operate correctly once
installed. Be sure to consult the system board manufacturer's documentation
for compatibility between the motherboard, CPU, and memory.
Safety:
Personal and equipment safety are of prime importance when installing equipment inside a
computer. Even though the power supply operates at low DC voltages, a shock hazard
still exists. Additionally, computer circuit boards are very easily damaged by
electrostatic discharge (ESD), and must be handled very carefully.
Tools Needed:
ESD Safe, Grounded Work Mat
ESD Wrist Strap
PC Tool Kit - Phillips Screw Driver, 1/4" Nut Driver
Marking Labels or Tape
Containers for screws and loose hardware
Skill Level:
Advanced
Time Required:
30 - 60 Minutes
Procedures:
Notes:
-
Proper ESD protection should be used at all times when handling computer
circuit boards.
-
Computer power should be off and the cord disconnected prior to
performing any procedures with the computer case opened.
-
Leave all circuit cards in their proper containers until ready for use.
Motherboard and CPU
Replacement:
-
If computer is still operational,
backup ALL critical data on computer before proceeding with the
replacement of the motherboard and CPU hardware. If the computer was not
operational, you can boot the computer AFTER new motherboard and CPU are
replaced, but BEFORE the first boot to the old hard drive using a
Knoppix CD, mount the hard drive volume, and attempt to recover the
data before proceeding.
Note:
Instructions for recovering data
with Knoppix found
Here
-
Remove the computer's chassis cover, and locate all of the motherboard's
essential hardware and electrical connections. Figures 1 - 3 below are an
example of a typical ATX form factor tower case assembly:
Figure
1
Computer Case and Components
Click on image for full-size view
|
Figure 2
Computer Case and
Components
Click on image for full-size view |
Figure 3
Computer Case and Components
Click on image for full-size view |
-
Remove the adapter cards and old motherboard, and put all hardware in a
safe place, preferably an ESD safe work mat. All loose hardware, such as fasteners and
jumpers, should be placed in a sealable container.
-
Disconnect all power connectors and front panel connectors from the
motherboard. Be sure to document all power and front panel connections for easy
reassembly. If the connectors are not labeled, use labeling tape to mark each connector.
Be sure to consult the motherboard documentation for familiarity with the location and
polarity of the connectors on the new motherboard.
Figure 4
Motherboard and Rear Panel Connectors
Click on images for full-size view
-
Perform a thorough inspection of the chassis to look for loose or broken
fasteners, cabling, or other components. Clean the inside of the case to remove all
dust from the chassis, power supply, and any other components inside the computer.
-
Carefully open the container for the new motherboard, and inspect the
new motherboard to ensure that all required parts are attached, and to look for broken or
damaged components.
-
Configure all jumpers and switches, in accordance with the motherboard
documentation, for compatibility with the CPU and memory being installed.
-
Locate and measure the position of all of the motherboard mounting holes
in the bottom of the chassis motherboard mounting plate. Be sure to note which holes
are used for plastic standoffs, and which holes are used for copper grounding screws (See
Figure 1, Number 15). Insert the copper or brass grounding screws into the appropriate
position(s) in the chassis. Insert the plastic motherboard standoffs into the
chassis.
Figure 5
Plastic Standoff
-
Carefully mount the motherboard onto the mounting hardware that was just
placed on the chassis. Be sure to line up the necessary motherboard mounting holes
with the brass mounting nuts.
-
Locate the motherboard mounting screws, and the insulating washers, and
insert them into the appropriate places in the motherboard holes with brass mounting nuts.
-
Insert the CPU into its socket/slot, and attach any cooling devices
(i.e.
fans/heat sinks) which are required. Insert the RAM modules at this time also.
-
If the motherboard is being mounted into a tower case, with a
removable bottom chassis plate or drawer (See Figure 1, Number 6), position the mounting plate and
motherboard into the main chassis, and loosely tighten the mounting screws.
Note:
Do
not tighten the plate or drawer mounting screws all the way into the chassis until the
adapter cards are in place, as this may cause improper adapter card alignment.
-
Replace any adapter cards into their slots, being sure to check for
proper alignment with the back of the computer chassis, as well as seating into the slots.
-
Connect the power supply
connectors into the appropriate connectors on the motherboard, CD-ROM,
hard drive and floppy drive.
Restoring the Operating
System (If not installing OS from scratch):
Note:
This step is necessary only if
the original hard drive is to be replaced in the computer, and you
don't want to reinstall the OS from scratch. This procedure
will cause the existing Windows XP installation to detect the new
motherboard and CPU hardware.
-
Before proceeding, ensure you
backed up all data as mentioned in the procedure above. If the
computer was not operational before the hardware change, you can boot the new motherboard and CPU
to a
Knoppix CD, mount the hard drive volume, and attempt to recover the
data before proceeding. Do this BEFORE the first boot to the old
hard drive.
Note:
Instructions for recovering data
with Knoppix found
Here
-
Place the Windows XP CD into the
CD-ROM drive and boot to the CD.
-
Follow the prompts as if
installing the OS from scratch until the screen in Figure 6 is reached
Figure 6
Welcome to Setup
-
When the screen above appears,
press ENTER to setup Windows XP. Do NOT select "R" to repair the
installation at this time.
-
Proceed until the screen in figure
7 appears.
Figure 7
Repair/Install Screen
-
When the screen in Figure 7 above
appears, ensure that the partition with the Windows XP installation is
highlighted and then press "R" to repair the Windows installation that
already resides on the hard drive.
-
Allow the installation to continue
and reinstall all necessary drivers for the installed hardware.
Troubleshooting:
System Won't Power-up:
-
Check to make sure unit is plugged
in to power cord and to wall outlet.
-
Check all power supply
connections.
-
Check for proper polarity and
connector orientation of AT type power supplies.
-
If replacing with a Pentium 4
motherboard, ensure the old power supply is Pentium 4 ready and has an
additional 4 pin 12 volt power connector required for the motherboard to
power the CPU. If not, purchase a new Pentium 4 ready power
supply..
Hard Drive and/or Power Lights Won't Light:
-
Check for polarity and orientation
of HDD and/or power light connectors on motherboard front panel connectors.
The lights are light emitting diodes (LEDs) and their connections are
polarity sensitive.
System Will Not Boot Up:
-
Check for orientation and
connection of all IDE cables on IDE controller.
-
Ensure all hard drives are
connected to proper cable.
-
Check BIOS/CMOS settings to be
sure hard drive is detected and configured properly.
-
Be sure a bootable diskette is
inserted into the floppy drive if hard drive will not boot.
-
Be sure hard drive and/or floppy
drives are formatted with system files.
Video Faulty, No Display, or Several
Beeps on POST:
-
Check for proper alignment and seating of video card.
-
Remove video card, and reseat back into its slot, carefully tighten
mounting plate into chassis.
-
If new motherboard has an internal
video card, remove additional video cards and plug monitor into
motherboard video card.
System Won't Boot, Hard Drive Not
Recognized:
-
Enter SETUP and check for proper hard drive configuration.
-
Check hard drive cables to ensure proper data cable connection.
-
Check hard drive power cable.
World Wide Web Resources:
Tom's Hardware
Motherboards.Org
PC Mechanic
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