Swap in a new motherboard


Tip
You can play with processor upgrades, add memory, or plug new cards and peripherals into your computer. But nothing turbocharges an aging PC like a motherboard transplant.
Changing a motherboard requires many careful steps, but you can handle the job if you're comfortable with PC upgrades in general.
Before you begin, make sure your PC has a standard motherboard. Some name-brand systems don't. Compare your present motherboard to a standard one if you can. Otherwise, check whether the serial and parallel ports are soldered to the motherboard and stick out the back of the case; if so, you're in trouble.
Look for a "Baby AT" motherboard. Don't buy an ATX motherboard, which requires a special case and power supply.
Here's a quick rundown on how to make the swap.

1. Check your motherboard. Make sure your new motherboard's screw holes and card slots fit your system case, and that you can use your existing add-in cards if needed. Access your PC's system start-up program and note your hard disk's parameters. Turn off your computer and open the case.

2. Disconnect wires and cables. Use masking tape to label wires and cables. Unplug all external peripherals. Disconnect the cables from add-in cards and take out the cards. Remove the main motherboard power connectors. Remove the small wires at the front of the motherboard.

3. Out with the old. Touch your hand to a grounded object, and remove the screws holding the motherboard. (If it also is held by white plastic posts, grab the motherboard and slide it slightly to the left, which should release the posts from their slots.) Lift the motherboard carefully from the case.

4. In with the new. Add the CPU and memory to the new motherboard if necessary. Check all jumpers and use needle-nose pliers if you need to reset any. If the old motherboard has plastic posts, remove them with the pliers and add them to the new motherboard. Insert the new motherboard and replace the screws.

5. Replace cards and cables. Connect all the cables and connectors (usually for the floppy drive, hard disk, CD-ROM drive, and serial and parallel ports) and the small wires for the CPU fan, speaker, reset button, turbo light, and any other integral components. Replace all other required cables.

6. Start it up. Turn on your PC and monitor. You should see a new BIOS message. If you get an error message, enter the system start-up utility and fill in information as needed. Then restart, click your way through Windows 95's messages if that's what you're running, and enjoy the new speed!
- Stan Miastkowski


Category: Hardware
Issue: Aug 1997
Pages: 176

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