|
| |
Motherboard Do's And Don'ts
It is a good idea to earth yourself prior to handling components. Some
engineers use anti static straps etc but if you are unsure touch the bare pipe
of a central heating radiator. Before using any new motherboard it is really
important to check that it is not physically damaged (as with any
component purchased). Look for signs of bending on the board or any components
that are loose. Most modern boards are quality checked but a quick glance
over the board before using it may reveal any defect.
Examine what mounts are on the motherboard. The mounting locations are usually
signified by bright solder rings on the component side of the board. On the
reverse the holes are surrounded by soldered spots. These are the earth
points on the board. Only one of the holes needs be earthed to the chassis
(case). The other holes are for raising the board from the case.
At our TotalSupport Computer Workshop
we like to test the motherboard and components outside of the case before final
assembly. This saves time if the board is faulty and allows easier access to RAM
slots, CPU and jumpers or switches and any other settings. Consult the
motherboard manual if you have it or examine the board for markings, tables and
jumper references. Jumpers usually start JP.
Assuming that the case is available and that the cover is off and if necessary
the side of tower type cases are off and ready for the motherboard to be overlaid.
Overlaying the motherboard allows you to see at a glance alignment for the
holes. Not all off the holes will necessarily be used. Once you know where the
mounts are to be placed either connect these to the chassis (screw in type) or
mount them on the motherboard. It can be awkward to attach the board to the chassis
especially in a desktop model. It may be necessary to move the power supply on
some desktop cases but not completely from the case (If you do, keep it and the
screws to one side). The motherboard will need to be screwed down with suitable
screws supplied with the mounts. Some cases come supplied with several, usually
red felt type washers, however we at Total Support have not found much use for
them in recent years. It will be necessary to use at least two screws to stop
the motherboard moving. Do not be heavy handed when tightening the screws.
You do not have to secure the motherboard at this stage if you are using plastic
risers. The purpose here is to keep the motherboard from shorting on any metal.
Insert the processor in its socket taking care regarding correct alignment add
the heat sink and fan which may also connect to the motherboard or wait and use
a power outlet from the case, also add the RAM and the graphics card that is to be
used in the system. Be careful with the graphics card as there is nothing to
support it in the expansion slot. If you are using a tower type case move the
side parallel to the case and connect the motherboard power cables. A good rule if needed is
that the black cables go together. Try not to touch any contacts on the graphics
card or RAM chips. If the motherboard is jumper less then you are ready to
attach the kettle lead, monitor leads and keyboard to the motherboard and switch on. If
not than either consult the manual for the correct motherboard settings or use
the tables sometimes printed on the motherboard (here are links to sites on the web
you can download manuals Motherboard & Bios). You need to set the core voltage for the processor, the
clock multiplier of the processor the processor bus speed, the RAM voltage is
probably okay at the default setting as are most of the other jumpers. There may
be a jumper for setting the RAM (try the lowest setting if in doubt of the RAM
speed), the PCI bus speed which usually works out to 33Mhz, and recently AGP bus
speed. At this stage the only lead that needs to be connected is the switch on
an ATX board, no leads are needed for AT format boards (I could almost assume
nobody buys new AT boards anymore).
If the kettle lead is not connected do that now. It isn't necessary to refit the
PSU at this stage. Attach the cable from the monitor to the graphics card taking
great care try to support the card. It is okay to lean the face plate against
the chassis, but under no circumstance allow any other part of the card or
motherboard to touch bare metal. Connect a keyboard, switch on the monitor if
the CPU fan needs to be connected to the PSU then do this now and power up the
case. All being well the screen should show the logo of the BIOS and pause at
the BIOS prompt waiting a keyboard entry. Note if the memory check is what you
expected and that the CPU has identified correctly.
If any changes need to be made to the motherboard, graphics card or the RAM, or
the CPU, graphics card, cooling fan or motherboard are faulty, you will find it
easier not having mounted it all in the case. There are numerous reasons for the
board not working if it is not a fault and will be the subject of another
article. Once you are satisfied that everything so far, works switch off the PC
and attach the side on a tower type case after removing the kettle lead, graphics card and
keyboard from the motherboard and attach the leads for reset, all the leds and
speaker. Use turbo led as a standby indicator where available and if fitted the turbo button as
a standby switch. Some motherboards have connections for Wan and modem wakeup
features and need a suitable device with the correct amps to operate. It is also
possible with a modern BIOS to enable the keyboard to be used as an on/off, standby
instead of the buttons on the case. If this feature is not on a modern
motherboard as a jumper setting it may be in the BIOS.
It is important once the board is properly mounted that it has no contact with
the chassis other than through the risers. Cover plates supplied to be used over
the ports at the back of cases are very awkward to fit sometimes and are best
placed with the help of an assistant unless you have three hands. Remember not
to over tighten screws its not necessary.
Enjoy building the rest of the PC knowing the the hardest to access component,
the motherboard is configured and working correctly. Sometimes you have to
change the led for the power or hard drive as they only work one way round. The
reset switch, speaker and turbo leads can be connected either way.
If you have a lcd speed display on the case and the processor is over one hundred and
ninety nine Mhz (ours are) you can turn the display upside down and have a XX1
speed CPU i.e. AMD KIII451. It is safe to move the jumpers on the speed display
whilst there is power going to it. To make adjustment easier remove the display
from the case whilst setting the jumpers.
We prefer to use quality tower cases to house our own
motherboards. The important factors to us are good ventilation a minimum three
hundred watt power supply and three hard drive bays. Also the PSU should have a
power out to supply an LCD monitor or other low power consumption peripheral. We
wouldn't recommend connecting 17" and bigger monitors to the PCs PSU.
|
![[Company Logo Image]](images/webgfx-6236316.jpg)