Installing a Motherboard
When installing a motherboard, you
should follow the instructions in the motherboard
manual. Whether you are installing a
new motherboard or replacing one, the
motherboard manual is your most
important tool. In addition to listing the components
supported, the typical motherboard
manual includes instructions on installing the
motherboard in a case, and installing
components, such as the CPU, memory, and
power supply. The motherboard manual
will explain how to set appropriate switches on
the motherboard and how to attach all
the various related cables.
EXERCISE
3-1
Removing an Old Motherboard
1. If you haven’t done this already,
power down and unplug the PC’s power cord.
2. Remove all expansion cards and
cables from the motherboard.
3. If the drives and/or the drive
bays interfere with access to the motherboard,
remove them.
4. Remove any screws or fasteners
attaching the motherboard to the case, lift
the board out of the case, and put it
aside. Be sure to carefully save any screws
you remove.
The first three steps of Exercise 3-2
describe a recommended procedure for handling
a motherboard, which applies to any
circuit board. The remainder of Exercise 3-2
includes general steps for installing
a motherboard. It assumes that BIOS, CMOS,
CMOS battery, and chipset have come
preinstalled on the motherboard (as is
customary). Always check the
instructions packed with the motherboard or other
component.
EXERCISE
3-2
Proper
Handling and Installation of a Motherboard
1. Before unpacking a new
motherboard, ensure that you have grounded your
body properly. One method is to wear
a static safety wrist strap, as described
2. Hold the board by its edges and
avoid touching any component on it. Always
avoid touching module contacts and IC
chips.
3. Place the board on a grounded
antistatic mat or on
the antistatic bag that came with the
board (unless the instructions recommend against this).
4. Install the CPU and memory on the
motherboard, per manufacturers’ instructions.
5. Follow the motherboard manual’s
instructions for setting any switches on the
motherboard and pay attention to
instructions for how to attach stand-off
screws, which keep the motherboard
from touching the metal floor or wall of
the case. Now you are ready to
install the board.
6. To place the new (or replacement)
board in the computer, line it up properly
on the chassis screw holes, and fix
it into place.
7. Attach the power and drive
connectors as well as connectors to the correct
ports on the case.