A motherboard is the ultimate tool that defines most things in your PC. Some say it is the spinal cord, and your PC cannot function without having a credible and healthy motherboard. Sometimes, the motherboard goes down, stops acting like an active partner, or entirely takes down the PC’s operations. If you seek how to know if the motherboard is dead or bad, I’ll share every tiny detail in this article. I’ll tell you why and how a motherboard hands up during usage.
The extent of the problem may vary from board to board, but if your PC is not turning ON at all, or it is not responding to the other components attached, it means there is something fishy. There can be multiple reasons behind it, and failing the motherboard is one of the usual. The motherboard may fall and cause disturbance due to lousy configuration only.
- How to Tell if Motherboard is Misconfigured?
- How to Tell if Motherboard is Dead?
- How to Fix A Dead Motherboard?
Dead VS Misconfigured Motherboard
Look, you need to understand that a dead and misconfigured motherboard has a lot of differences. Until you don’t make the proper diagnosis, you cannot fix the issue effectively. If we talk about a dead motherboard, it must have some problems with its components. Suppose the CPU socket goes down, the processor stops working, the power connector doesn’t respond the way it should, and many more.
On the other hand, a misconfigured motherboard has some slight issues with the connectivity, or it may have some snags with the software. You may fix it quickly as compared to a bad motherboard. To know them in detail and to understand the reasons behind the issues, you need to read the points I have explained below. I’ll also talk about the fixation process of such terrible problems to help you deal efficiently.
How to Tell if Motherboard is Misconfigured?
A misconfigured motherboard is not dead nor bad. Usually, a PC gets slower, it refuses to recognize the newly installed hardware, or the response time takes so long; all these are trivial reasons for a misconfigured motherboard. However, I’ll tell you the fundamental reasons behind misconfigured motherboards also. Let’s check out the details below.
1) Bad BIOS Updates
The first and most common reason for misconfiguration of the motherboard is a bad BIOS update. It is not so easy to get the original BIOS back, and you have to take help from reflashing the board to get it back in its actual edition. While getting the latest BIOS update, you need to be careful, and if something goes wrong, that can play havoc with the motherboard. It may seriously brick your motherboard.
Usually, two pushers can cause the brick to the motherboard. Either it is a faulty BIOS update or dead on arrival (DOA). So, it was the first reason that may put your PC in danger.
2) Overclocking of the Components
Overclocking may also cause trouble to the routine processes. It happens when you provide your board with a higher voltage for enhanced performance. So, you need to have a robust power design with VRM. If your motherboard does not have the physical capacity to handle such higher voltage for increased performance, you may have to face a failed overclock.
You can check out the overclocking via BIOS update, which will help you know the physical capacity of the motherboard. If you create a good match between the power supply and the physical capability of the motherboard, you’ll surely gain outcomes beyond your expectations.
3) Loosely Connected Device
Another big reason for a misconfigured motherboard is a loosely connected device. When your PC doesn’t respond the way it should, you cannot attach different devices accurately. You may often have difficulty getting RAM and PCIe expansion cards on board. The potential reason that causes such issues is not fixing the device firmly. Sometimes, you attach the PCIe expansion cards in the wrong slots, and that causes a hurdle.
Moreover, you may also face connectivity issues due to dust tanks packed inside slots, and they do not respond to the expansion cards accordingly. However, you can get rid of cords of connectivity by having a motherboard with wifi built in. If you are interested in exploring some great options, you can give a read to the best motherboard with wifi.
4) How to Fix A Misconfigured Motherboard?
You can fix the issue by following a simple process if you have misconfiguration due to a BIOS update. All you need to do is to access BIOS, and you will have the option of RESET TO DEFAULT; by pressing the button to save it, you will get the original settings instantly.
Moreover, if slots are packed with junk, dust, and debris, you can get the help of a vacuum cleaner or soft fabric to clean it up. And now we’ll talk about how to know if the motherboard is dead and the ways to fix it up.
Related Article: What Motherboard Do I Have | Identifying Windows, Mac, and Linux
How to Tell if Motherboard is Dead?
Specific reasons can help you understand this mystery. In this section, I’ll discuss the dead motherboard symptoms in detail and get you the solutions for all those. Later, I’ll also talk about how to tell if motherboard is bad. When you have analyzed the system thoroughly and didn’t find anything wrong with the configuration area, you need to follow the steps below to establish if your motherboard is dead or not.
1) Disconnect All the Components Except Power Supply
First, you must detach all the components and get the motherboard out of the case. Now, ensure no RAM, Hard, USB, or other parts are connected with the board except the power supply unit. Now, turn the PC on and check if the motherboard is flashing. It means the board is not dead yet, and something is wrong. You also need to check if motherboard is receiving power or not while doing this process.
2) Check Beep Code and POST LED
Not all, but most motherboards show a screen after turning the PC ON. This POST screen tells you all about the components and their health condition. If anything is wrong on the PC with RAM, CPU, Ports, Hard, or any other component, the initial screen will detect the issue, and everything will be on the screen. It tells you how to check if motherboard is working without CPU or any other significant component.
3) Check CMOS Battery
CMOS battery plays an integral part in maintaining the settings and keeps BIOS alive. If this battery goes down, it may take the motherboard down. It is a specific but crucial factor to know if the motherboard is dead. It puts the motherboard on disability, and it cannot perform.
4) Check Motherboard Performs POST on Screen
Some motherboards come with a deep code to indicate the problematic area in the board. The count of beeps tells you about the problem in the relevant area. If it beeps twice, there is something wrong with the motherboard. Often, you get the message on the screen, but not with all the motherboards.
5) Check the Board with Another Set of Components
You may get the motherboard out of the pc case, attach it with another set of components, and check if it is not working; it means the motherboard is faulty. And if it works well, you need to diagnose the issue in other components. So, it is how to determine whether the motherboard is dead. Moreover, how to know if CPU or motherboard is broken, there is no rocket science; open up the case and check out the motherboard physically from all corners.
How to Fix A Dead Motherboard?
Fixing up a dead motherboard depends on the extent and intensity of damage or problem. If you find your motherboard with some slight issues, you may get it covered by giving some maintenance touches. On the other hand, if some components are irreparable, you may go for replacement of the same.
However, a motherboard dead no power; it is not the issue of the motherboard; it is of the power supply unit. So, before you initiate the fixation process, keep these things in mind.
Usually, when a motherboard doesn’t light up, you may consider it dead. However, in rare cases, the flashing light area is not working due to harm or injury. So, it is better not to rely on lighting up the motherboard to decide whether it is dead. On the other hand, when you learn how to know if the motherboard is dead, lighting up the board is one of the benchmarks to establish the truth.
If you get something smelly or feel something burning inside your system, you may also examine the capacitor and integral components attached to the board; all these signs are enough to tell you that your motherboard is fried. It may be caused by some electricity issues and a deficit or surplus of voltage.
In conclusion, I would like to conclude the article by letting you know that a dead motherboard is a more severe case than a misconfigured motherboard. A misconfigured motherboard requires some care, and you must configure the devices well.
CONCLUSION
On the other hand, a bad or dead motherboard may cut your pocket extensively, and it may ask you to replace some components altogether. A dead motherboard will not work until you give it a new life by providing it with the relevant maintenance or details. So, I hope you are now aware of how to know if motherboard is dying.