The document discusses common troubleshooting tools for motherboards, RAM, and CPUs. A multimeter is useful for checking voltages and power supply testers can simulate load without a motherboard. POST cards can display error codes to help pinpoint failures. Heat is a common cause of issues, so ensuring proper cooling is important. Other likely causes are related to power supply or motherboard problems.

1. Troubleshooting
motherboards,
RAM, and CPUs.

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Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College
Areas of expertise Industry Certifications
 PC Hardware
 Network Administration
 IT Project Management
 Network Design
 User Training
 IT Troubleshooting
Qualifications Summary
Education
 M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governor’s University
 B.S., IT Security, Western Governor’s University
Entrepreneur, executive leader, and proven manger
with 10+ years of experience turning complex issues
into efficient and effective solutions.
Strengths include developing and mentoring diverse
workforces, improving processes, analyzing
business needs and creating the solutions
required— with a focus on technology.

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PACE-IT.
– Common symptoms.
– Troubleshooting tools.

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Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.

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Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.
Unexpected shutdowns.
The most likely cause is
heat.
Check the ventilation and clean out
fans; also check for fan operation.
System lockups.
The most likely cause is
heat.
Check the ventilation and clean out
fans; also check for fan operation.
POST code beeps.
The cause will require
some research…
Each manufacturer defines its own
beep code; refer to system
documentation to determine cause.

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Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.
Blank screen on boot-up.
The most likely cause is
onboard graphics.
If the system has onboard graphics
and an add on card, the most likely
cause is the video monitor is
plugged in to the incorrect spot.
BIOS time and setting resets.
The most likely cause is
a low CMOS battery.
The CMOS battery is the timekeeper
and is what retains user adjustable
setting in the BIOS.
Attempts to boot incorrectly.
The most likely cause is
a wrong BIOS setting.
BIOS has the incorrect boot order
priority. Use caution when making
adjustments to BIOS settings.

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Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.
Continuous reboots.
This can be hardware or
software related.
New hardware? Most likely caused
by a wrong driver; if not, then a
software update issue is the likely
cause.
No power.
The most likely cause is
the power supply.
Check the plugs for the power
supply. Check the setting for the
power supply voltage.
Overheating.
The cause is likely…
Poor ventilation, inadequate cooling,
or the system has been overclocked.

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Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.
Loud noises.
The most likely cause is
dirt.
As fans become dirty, they need to
work harder, which will increase the
noise level.
Intermittent device failure.
The most likely cause is
either…
This can be a heat issue, but it could
also be caused by bad RAM. If the
ventilation is okay, run the memory
diagnostic utility.
Only the fans power up.
The most likely cause is
no power to the CPU.
The power regulator on the
motherboard has likely failed. Fans
don’t require the CPU to run.

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Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.
Smoke.
The most likely cause is
the power supply.
Possible short in the power supply
or incorrect voltage setting on the
power supply.
Burning smell or sparks.
The most likely cause is
the power supply.
Possible short in the power supply
or an incorrect voltage setting on the
power supply; another possible
cause is a short caused by nicks or
cuts in wiring insulation.
Blue screen of death (BSOD).
The most likely cause is
either…
Faulty motherboard or RAM; if not,
other hardware related.

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“As a general rule, electronics
don’t like it when you let the
smoke out of them.”
– Brian Ferrill

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Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.

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Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.
– Screwdriver
– Multimeter.
» Allows the technician to check for the appropriate voltages.
• Not all multimeters are created equal; use of a higher quality
meter can result in quicker resolution to the problem.
– Power supply tester.
» Simulates the load on a power supply and displays voltages.
• Useful when a motherboard is not present.
– POST card.
» Adapter card that plugs into a PCI or PCIe slot.
» Displays a code that will point out when and where a POST
failure occurs.
» Some motherboards have this built into them.

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Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.
Many motherboard, RAM, and CPU issues are related to excessive heat.
Ensuring that there is sufficient cooling and keeping the inside of the cases
clean will reduce the likelihood of problems occurring. The next most likely
causes are related to power issues.
Topic
Common symptoms.
Summary
Use a good multimeter to find proper voltages. Power supply testers
simulate the load on a power supply so that it doesn’t need to be plugged
into a motherboard. POST cards can display a code that can help pinpoint
where a failure is occurring at POST.
Troubleshooting tools.

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THANK YOU!

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