Problems With Computer Mother Board
As a computer user, sometimes, we all face problems with Computer Mother Board. Here are some common problems and their simple but logical solutions.
Mother Board Problems/malfunctions are the most troublesome and difficult issues regarding Personal Computer. It may appear anytime out of nowhere. When arises, users experience easy to serious intricacy resolving the issue(s). It also requires expertise and experience on Hardware related matters.
But now a day, there are many resources on the internet and expert solutions are available online. We just need to google the problems. Fortunately, some of the most common motherboard issues are fairly simple to resolve. A little patience is all we require.
Mother Board – An Overview
Mother Board – as the name implies, is the main Circuit Board of a PC and also commonly known as mb, mainboard, mboard, mobo, mobd, backplane board, base board, main circuit board, system board, or a logic board on Apple computers. The motherboard is a printed circuit board and main platform of a computer that integrates all other components in a computer chassis/case. It allocates power and allows data transmission through the CPU, RAM and other computer hardware components.
A motherboard provides connectivity among the hardware components of a computer, like the processor (CPU), memory (RAM), Hard Disk Drive (HDD)/Solid State Drive (SSD), and VGA/AGP/Graphics Card. There are multiple types of motherboards, designed to facilitate assembling different types of computers according to the users’ needs.
A specific Motherboard is designed to work with specific types of processors and memory. Before purchasing, make sure all other components are compatible with your specific mother board. All other components like internal/external Hard Drives/SSDs/DVD ROM/Writers are mostly universal and work with the majority of motherboards, regardless of the type or brand.
Installation of a Mother Board:
A computer motherboard is installed inside the computer chassis/case and most of the computer parts/peripherals are connected to it, either directly or through power and data cables. In a Desktop PC, usually the motherboard is attached on the right side of the tower casing.
Components of a Mother Board:
-
Expansion slots VGA/AGP/PCI Express, PCI-e, Sound Card, LAN Card, USB Expansion Cards/Slots.
-
Back panel connectors
-
4-pin (P4) CPU power connector
-
3/4-pin case fan connectors
-
CPU socket
-
Heat sink
-
24-pin ATX power supply connector
-
Inductor
-
Capacitor
-
Memory slot
-
ATA / IDE disk drive primary connection
-
Serial ATA (SATA) connections
-
Complementary Metal Oxide Semi-Conductor (CMOS) backup battery
-
RAID
-
System front-panel connectors
-
Serial port connector
-
USB headers
-
Jumpers
-
Integrated circuits
-
SPDIF
Older motherboard components:
-
BIOS (Intel/Award/AMI)
-
Bus
-
Cache memory
-
Chipset
-
Diode
-
Dip switches
-
Electrolytic
-
Floppy Disc/Hard Disk/SSD/ CD/DVD Rom/Writer connection
-
Fuse
-
Game port and MIDI header.
-
Internal PC speaker
-
Keyboard controller
-
LCC
-
Network header
-
Obsolete expansion slots: AMR, CNR, EISA, ISA, and VESA.
-
Obsolete memory slots: SIMM.
-
Onboard LED
-
Parallel port header
-
PS/2 header
-
Resistor
-
RTC
-
Serial port header
-
SCSI
-
Solenoid
-
Voltage regulator
-
VRM (voltage regulator module).
Motherboard form factors and types
As the architecture of the PC is advancing , every component of a PC is also developing everyday. Below is a list of the various motherboard form factors and additional information about each, including ATX, which is the most common.
- AT
- ATX
- Baby AT
- BTX
- DTX
- LPX
- Full AT
- Full ATX
- micro ATX
- NLX
- ITX
A computer motherboard connects to a desktop computer case using standouts. Once the motherboard is attached to the case, all other devices connect to the motherboard itself or through an add-on card.
Problems With Computer Mother Board and solutions
A computer’s motherboard is a critical component that plays a major part in deciding how other components will work. Though this is a sensitive issue to troubleshoot Mother Board Problems, still one can resolve any Mother Board Problems by following useful resources in manufacturer’s website or many Hardware Solutions Tech Guides as well . On rare occasions, we might even have motherboard issues with a new PC — these include random reboots, refusing to boot up, and continual crashes citing fatal exceptions, illegal operations, and general protection fault/error messages.
The computer POST (power-on self-test) checks a computer’s internal hardware for compatibility and connection before starting the remainder of the boot process. If the computer passes the POST, the computer may give a single beep (some computers may beep twice) as it starts and continues to boot. However, if the computer fails the POST, the computer may generate a beep code telling the user the source of the Mother Board Problems.
The most common Mother Board Problems causes of POST failures are generated by the following components.
- BIOS ROM
- CPU (processor)
- Motherboard
- RAM (memory)
- Video card (VGA/AGP/Graphics Card)
Error/Beep Codes Identifications:
- AMI BIOS beep codes.
- Award BIOS beep codes.
- Dell beep codes.
- IBM BIOS beep codes.
- Macintosh startup tones.
AMI BIOS beep codes
Many mother board manufacturers prefers the AMI BIOS for its easy and user friendly interface. As there is a wide variety of different computer manufacturers with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary slightly from those listed below. But in most cases, the basic setup is common.
| Beep Code | Descriptions |
| 1 short beep | DRAM refresh failure. |
| 2 short beep | Parity circuit failure. |
| 3 short beep | Base 64 K RAM failure. |
| 4 short beep | System timer failure. |
| 5 short beep | Process failure. |
| 6 short beep | Keyboard controller Gate A20 error. |
| 7 short beep | Virtual mode exception error. |
| 8 short beep | Display memory Read/Write test failure. |
| 9 short beep | ROM BIOS checksum failure. |
| 10 short beep | Replace the CMOS battery. |
| 11 short beep | Cache memory error. |
| 1 long, 2 short beeps. | Video card memory issue. |
| 1 long, 3 short beeps. | Conventional/Extended memory failure. |
| 1 long, 8 short beeps. | Display/Retrace test failed. |
| Two-tone siren | Low CPU fan speed, voltage level issue. |
Award BIOS beep codes
| Beep Code | Description |
| 1 long, 2 short beeps. | Indicates a video error has occurred and the BIOS cannot initialize the video screen to display any additional information. |
| 1 long, 3 short beeps. | Video card not detected (reseat video card) or bad video card. |
| Beeps repeating endlessly. | RAM problem. |
| Repeated high frequency beeps while PC is running. | Overheating processor (CPU). |
| Repeated beeps alternating high & low frequency. | Issue with the processor (CPU), possibly damaged. |
If any other correctable hardware issues are found, the BIOS displays a message.
Dell beep codes
| Beep Code | Description |
| 1 beep | BIOS ROM corruption or failure. |
| 2 beeps | Memory (RAM) not detected. |
| 3 beeps | Motherboard failure. |
| 4 beeps | Memory (RAM) failure. |
| 5 beeps | CMOS battery failure. |
| 6 beeps | Video card failure. |
| 7 beeps | Bad processor (CPU). |
For other Dell beep codes, please refer to Dell’s beep codes and PSA diagnostics chart page.
IBM BIOS beep codes
| Beep Code | Description |
| No beeps | Computer does not turn on. |
| 1 short beep | Normal POST, computer is ok. |
| 2 short beep | POST error, review screen for error code. |
| Continuous beep | No power, loose card, or short. |
| Repeating short beep | No power, loose card, or short. |
| 1 long, 1 short beep | Motherboard issue. |
| 1 long, 2 short beeps | Video (Mono/CGA display circuitry) issue. |
| 1 long, 3 short beeps. | Video (EGA) display circuitry. |
| 3 long beeps | Keyboard or keyboard card error. |
| 1 beep, blank or incorrect display. | Video display circuitry. |
Macintosh Error/Beep tones
| Tones | Error |
| Error tone. (two sets of different tones). | Problem with logic board or SCSI bus. |
| Startup tone, drive spins, no video. | Problem with video controller. |
| Powers on, no tone. | Logic board problem. |
| High tone, four higher tones. | Problem with SIMM. |
Some common causes of Problems With Computer Mother Board:
- Power/load incompatibility
- Improperly installed components
- Short circuit/power surge
- Missing/improper chassis/case power and reset button connection
- UEFI/BIOS hardware incompatibility
As mentioned above, these are the common problems faced by the most of the users, regardless of a old or a new pc. If any of these happens, relax. Be patient and follow the details given below
- Problems With Computer Mother Board – Power/load incompatibility
Proper Power Source (PSU- Power Supply Unit) is the basic requirement for a mother board to function properly. There’s a main 20-to-24-pin connector and a second four- or eight-pin connector hidden away by the processor socket. Many people forget the second connector — and it was very common mistake during the early PC building days, so you should check to make sure that both are plugged in correctly. Unplug and plug them back in if you’re unsure how well fitted they are.
To solve this issue- make sure both plugs are fully seated and properly matched with the correct power supply cords. This may solve other issues, particularly those that are related to power supply. You should also consider running hardware and utility diagnostics tools on your PC, if possible. Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool, CPU-Z, and PassMark Performance Test are some of the utility tools that provide detailed information on each and every components of the Computer.
- Problems With Computer Mother Board – Improperly installed components
Components can cause a Mother Board Problems or motherboard to malfunction if they’re not properly installed. In some cases, your computer may not even get through POST (a self-testing mechanism employed by PCs during boot-up) or even turn on. Potential culprits include the processor, video/graphics card, and RAM.
Improper seating of the video/graphics card and RAM are the most likely sources of any Mother Board Problems, because issues in those areas are easy to overlook. Examine the video card, and make sure that it’s evenly seated across the width of the PCI-Express slot. Then, give it a firm downward push, just to be confirmed that it is inserted properly. The RAM slot has two plastic wings that should snap over the sides of each stick of memory. These should be standing upright 90 degrees from the motherboard’s surface and securely inserted around the tabs found on each side of your RAM sticks. If one or both wings are slightly askew, the RAM isn’t properly installed.
Properly installing a processor is much more difficult but worth checking if you’re really stumped. The pins and the slot on the processor and motherboard must be properly lined up. Once inserted, the processor should sit flat on the socket’s surface. The processor’s heat-sink should also be attached firmly.
- Problems With Computer Mother Board – Short circuit/Power Surge
Mother Boards are filled with capacitors and soldered connections that route data and power from one part of the board to another. As you may have noticed, the motherboard is held aloft from the PC case by a series of screw-in “standoffs” that are about a quarter-inch thick. These exist because the motherboard can short if it makes contact with other metallic components — causing the capacitors to blow out, bulge, and even leak fluid — which arise Mother Board Problems and makes performing a physical inspection of components crucial to diagnostic issues.
A motherboard experiencing a short circuit/power surge may not get through POST, may complete POST but then behave erratically, or may boot but crash immediately after the POST. A failure to pass the POST process is the most frequent symptom, but other situations can occur even if only occasional contact is made between the motherboard and the case.
Examine how your motherboard is installed. Check that you used the standoffs that keep the motherboard from contacting the case and ensure that any unsupported portions of the motherboard haven’t bent toward the case’s interior. Also, check that all internal wires are properly shielded with a rubber or plastic exterior.
- Problems With Computer Mother Board – Inappropriate chassis/case power and reset button connection
Another common Mother Board Problems is the power button on a computer’s case connects to the motherboard through a small, thin two-pin wire. Without this important but easy-to-miss connection, your computer won’t start. That’s because the motherboard never receives the command to do so if you press the power button when the wire isn’t connected to the proper pins on your motherboard. Hard to believe that a bent or misaligned pin could cause you so much grief, but with a steady hand and steely resolve, this issue can be remedied. Note that attempting to straighten pins can easily cause them to break and require you to replace components like your CPU, so think long and hard before trying it yourself.
Connecting the power button can be difficult. Unlike so many other motherboard connectors, which are designed to make improper installation impossible, the power button connector usually is labeled only with small symbols like Pwr+ and Pwr-. Matters are made worse by the fact that the front power button’s connection is part of a cluster of connections, so accidentally connecting power to pins that control the reset button or hard drive light are easy mistakes to make.
To solve this issue, you’ll need the manual to confirm where the power button connector goes, and you (might) need a magnifying glass to properly align the connection with the pins. If you can’t find your manual, your motherboard’s manufacturer should have a PDF version of it on the company’s site. Just search for your motherboard’s model number.
- Problems With Computer Mother Board – UEFI/BIOS hardware incompatibility
The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) and Basic Input/ Output System (BIOS) connect your PC’s firmware to its operating system. They help remind your computer what it is and what it’s supposed to do when first turned on, and that includes spotting any hardware errors.
Motherboards ship from the factory with a BIOS or UEFI that can handle contemporary hardware, but they’re not guaranteed to work with any hardware that gets released after they ship. That means you can have a new processor that isn’t compatible with the hardware you’re using due to an issue with new developments since the motherboard was manufactured. You will likely have to update to a BIOS or UEFI for it to function.
If this happens, your computer might refuse to boot your operating system after POST, or it might not POST at all. Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this issue. You’ll take a step backward by re-installing the old hardware you had disabled to troubleshoot your problem. When you get your computer back to that status, reboot it. Once the old hardware’s in, you can boot your computer, go to your motherboard manufacturer’s website, and find the latest BIOS/UEFI version. After installing the latest BIOS/UEFI version is complete, you can re-install your new hardware.
Comments
There are a few extra steps involved when you’re trying to troubleshoot Mother Board Problems and other tech issues. It’s a crucial skill to learn in order to resolve Mother Board Problems, if you plan to build and repair your own PC. The experience you gain by repairing your motherboard gives you the potential to use the same computer for a decade (or more) by replacing/upgrading the internal components when necessary.
Rest assured that the issues we’ve mentioned above are common Mother Board Problems that are frequent with handy solutions that may test your patience but will ultimately work. If you are a bit extra cautious to handle it yourself, it is always better to consult an expert, either it means bringing your computer to a certified technician or referring to the manufacturer/Tech expert website guideline.
