To the uninitiated this may seem like there is an obvious answer to the question of how to tell if a computer’s motherboard is dead or not, but in truth, just because a computer will not boot or will not apparently turn on it does not always mean that the motherboard is dead. Try this simple checklist to help troubleshoot basic computer hardware failures:
Check The Motherboard’s Video Connections
If the computer will not boot at all (nothing on the screen when turned on even when connected properly):
- Check connections between the computer and the monitor. If they are secure, try using a different monitor and/or connect the monitor to a different video port (try connecting to the HDMI, VGA, or DVI port on the computer, whichever one is not being used).
- If you see information on the screen when using a different monitor then the motherboard is probably okay. The problem is most likely that the old monitor is either dead or improperly configured.
- If after connecting to a different working monitor it still does not appear to start up continue to the next section.
Check The Motherboard’s Power Connections
If the monitor is okay but the computer still will not turn on properly check for power to the important components:
- Turn on the computer (while connected to a good monitor) and listen closely. Did you hear a beep when you first turned it on? If not that is potentially a bad sign but not always proof that the motherboard is dead.
- Listen closely to the other components of the computer. Are the hard drives spinning? Is the power supply fan running? Is the fan on top of the processor running?
- If the other components of the computer are working (fans running and discs apparently spinning) then this is another bad sign that the motherboard is dead.
Other Motherboard Troubleshooting Tips
- If everything else seems to work, and you can hear the hard drives working as if the computer was actually trying to pull data from them then try installing a new video card in an available PCI slot. These cards cost around $50-$80 for a bare bones model at most office supply stores. Put the card in according to the manufacturers instructions, plug your monitor into it, and give it a try.
- If you hear a series of beeps from the motherboard when it is first turned on then check this list of BIOS beep codes to see if it gives you any additional information.
- Look closely at the motherboard for any signs of damage including tiny little burn marks. If you see any the motherboard is almost definitely dead.
Troubleshooting motherboard problems is always difficult, but hopefully the suggestions above will help you save a few dollars in diagnostic costs. With retail stores charging $80 or more to test the motherboard, knowing in advance what works and what doesn’t work is always a good thing.
Chad Criswell - Chad Criswell is a professional educator and freelance technology writer for numerous online and print publications throughout the United ...
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