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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.
Brian K. Ferrill, M.B.A.
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Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.PACE-IT.
– Common symptoms.
– Troubleshooting tools.
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Common symptoms.Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.
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Common symptoms.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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Common symptoms.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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Common symptoms.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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Common symptoms.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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Common symptoms.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 tools.Troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, and CPUs.
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Troubleshooting tools.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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What was covered.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!
This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53.
PACE-IT is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For those that are hearing impaired, a video phone is available at the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office in Mountlake Terrace Hall 159. Check www.edcc.edu/ssd for office hours. Call 425.354.3113 on a video phone for more information about the PACE-IT program. For any additional special accommodations needed, call the SSD office at 425.640.1814. Edmonds Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; national origin; sex; disability; sexual orientation; age; citizenship, marital, or veteran status; or genetic information in its programs and activities.
