[ The PC Guide | Troubleshooting and Repair Guide | The Troubleshooting Expert | Troubleshooting Specific Components | Troubleshooting the Motherboard and System Devices | Physical Issues ]

There is a component or pin broken on the motherboard

Explanation: A component is broken on the motherboard, or a pin that makes up one of the connectors or headers on the motherboard is broken.

Diagnosis: Depending on what the part is that is broken, this may or may not be a big problem. The only causes of broken components on a motherboard are manufacturing defect, abuse, or accidental damage. If the board itself is working OK, you may not need to do anything, but you may have difficulty upgrading or expanding the motherboard later on.

Recommendation:

• If the board is new, and you suspect it may have been shipped with the damage, return it for exchange.
• If the motherboard is working OK, and if the component or pin damaged is a part of the system not currently being used, for example a second processor socket, or a SIMM socket not in use, or a second serial port you are not using, ignore the damage. Get a new motherboard when you are ready to upgrade the machine.
• If the motherboard (or the system as a whole) is not working, troubleshoot it to eliminate all other possible causes of the problem. If the motherboard is still causing problems, you should replace it and see if the problem goes away. If it does, the motherboard with the damage should be discarded.

Home  -  Search  -  Topics  -  Up