Skip to end of banner
Go to start of banner

Inspecting Computer Motherboard

Skip to end of metadata
Go to start of metadata

You are viewing an old version of this page. View the current version.

Compare with Current View Page History

Version 1 Next »

Card Concepts Inc takes no responsibility for data loss due to human error, hardware failure, or other such circumstances.

 

Table of Contents

 


 

Purpose
This will show you how to inspect your computer motherboard.

Requirements

  • Canned Air
  • Cloth 

Opening the Computer

  1. Open computer by pulling side. When you do this pull the lever towards you. The lid should pop open and you can remove it.




  2. As soon as you get the lid off you have to remove the hard drive bracket. To do this push in the two plastic tabs towards -->   <---  each other.




  3. As your removing the hard drive bracket there are 2 cables connected to the hard drive. Gently remove these cables from the hard drive and then remove the hard drive. 

     

  4. After you remove the bracket and hard drive the inside of your computer should like this

Looking for Blown Capacitors

  1. You now can look for blown capacitors. Blown capacitors should look like this:

      

    IMPORTANT NOTE

    If you see one or more blown capacitors, your computer will need replacement or the motherboard would need replacement. Contact your local computer service or CCI to discuss repair options.

Inspecting and Cleaning Computer Fans 


Perhaps the most serious dirt-related threat to your PC is dust in the fans. Dust constantly gets sucked inside the case. Over time, it clogs both power-supply and cooling fans and may cause damage due to overheating.

 As more and more dust accumulates on the blades and in the motors, the fans have to work harder. If the buildup goes unchecked, the fans may significantly slow down or fail completely. This can lead to serious overheating inside the case, which can cause component failure and, ultimately, data loss.

  1. Start by powering down your PC, removing the case lid, and locating the various fans. Starting with the power supply, blow through the internal slits from inside the chassis, aiming so dust will exit the back.

     

    Good Cpu Fan
         		Bad Cpu Fan
     

     

     
  2. Next, blow into the intake fan (if there is one) to push more dust out the back. Finally, blow the blades of the rear exhaust fan clean. If possible, aim just beneath the center, where the motor meets the fan assembly, and blast again. Repeat the process for each fan, keeping the can upright at all times.



  3. To loosen clumps of dirt, hold your canned air at multiple angles rather than using long bursts of air. Make sure that you do not touch anything inside of the CPU tower.

     

  4. Set the canned air aside and close up your cpu



    Don't forget to run air over the vents on your case lid, too. If they're encrusted with dust, the fans won't be as effective expelling warm air.

  • No labels