SLC S23 Week2 || Computer Repair - The Motherboard

Steemian Friends,
Today, I will write the homework for @kouba01 sir's lesson in Week 02 of Steemit Learning Challenge 23. This week's lesson topic is SLC S23 Week 2 || Computer Repair - The Motherboard. I learned about computer motherboards by reading lessons and doing homework. Lessons have been very beneficial for me. My fear of computer hardware is over. As I opened and plugged in power supplies and motherboards over and over again, I was scared away. I can now separate all devices from a computer CPU at will. I hope everyone will like my writing.

Design By Canva

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Task 1: First Experience with a Motherboard (2 points)

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My first experience with the motherboard:
I used my first computer in 2005. At that time, very few people in our country knew about computer use. My father bought me a desktop computer with an Intel Celeron processor and a Gigabyte motherboard. I used to study from the school dormitory. Many of my friends in the hostel had desktop computers then. I remember that desktop computers' main problem was setting up Windows. After a few days, we used to set up Windows 2003. If there was a problem with the motherboard or hardware, we would try to repair it ourselves through a friend who was an expert among our friends. Thus, in school life, I repaired motherboards and desktop computers by myself.

Then, I came to Dhaka, the capital of our country, to be admitted to the university. At that time, I was very interested in studying computer engineering. But I got an EEE(Electrical and Electronics Engineering) subject in university. Now, I am an electrical engineer. But I came to Dhaka and got a certificate in computer hardware for six months. Then, I learned how to work with hardware in the biggest computer market in Dhaka, the capital of our country. It will be the year 2007-8. Since then, I haven't had the opportunity to practice computer hardware. Due to the learning lesson of the Steemit platform, there is an opportunity to reopen the CPU after many days. Now, I will share my working experience with my motherboard from 2007.

My Computer Hardware Certificate

We were given practicals every day on various computer problems. Initially, the organization was a computer servicing centre. People used to bring computers here to solve various problems. Our job was to listen to computer problems and help technicians. We used to see how to repair computer problems like this for four months.

I am giving a working example of a few problems. I will explain how to repair a computer motherboard problem such as an IC, diode, or capacitor failure. The servicing centre used to collect old motherboards of different models. According to the model number of the customer's motherboard, the ICs, capacitors, and diodes of the motherboard in the collection were opened and repaired. I have seen many motherboards repaired this way.

I found out by selling old motherboards in Dhaka, the capital of our country. The servicing centre informed us. I bought five old motherboards. Later, the old motherboards were repaired at the servicing centre. I remember three motherboards running after repair. This is my first motherboard knowledge.

Today, I am showing the motherboard of my office computer. After 2007, I had the opportunity to open the motherboard because of the learning challenge. I first unlocked the CPU. Then, I carefully separated the power supply and other cables from the motherboard. I was very careful because a lock attached each cable to the motherboard. I opened the lock and then separated the cable socket from the motherboard. Due to my carelessness, the motherboard will be damaged if the cable socket pins are bent or broken.

The motherboard was held in place by six small screws. I unscrew the screws and separate the motherboard from the CPU. Before that, I removed the RAM from the motherboard. While opening the RAM, open the locks on both sides of the RAM slot. I cleaned the motherboard with a blower machine during the power supply lesson in week 01, so I didn't clean the motherboard today.

Then, I took some pictures of the motherboard. Then, I separate the processor from the motherboard. I am extremely careful when separating the processor from the motherboard. The processor has a cooling fan on it, which keeps it cool. I open the four locks on top of the processor. I did not force open all four locks. I open the locks according to the rules. Then, I separate the processor from the motherboard. Then I take a few pictures. A type of white paste is applied to prevent the processor from overheating. I have shown it in the picture.

I like computer work very much. Today, after a long time, I separated the motherboard from the CPU. I am very happy with my work. But I was very careful because I opened the motherboard after a long time. A little mistake could have bent or broken a pin and damaged the motherboard. This is my motherboard experience.

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Task 2: Identifying Motherboard Components (2 points)

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I have marked some important components of the motherboard of my Gigabyte H410MHV3 model in the picture. There are also some other ICs, transistors and capacitors on the motherboard. The motherboard comes with an Intel company processor. There is 8GB RAM DDR4.

Sl No	Component Name	Sl No	Component Name
1	Chip Socket	8	CPU Socket
2	IDE Socket	9	Processor Cooling Fan Connector
3	South Bridge Chipset	10	USB Connector
4	PCIe Slot	11	PCIE X1 Slot
5	SATA Socket	12	North Bridge Chipset
6	RAM Slot	13	CMOS Battery
7	24-pin ATX Power Connector	14	Back Panal I/O Connector

Processor socket:
The processor socket is the brain of a computer. Here, all types of calculations are performed, starting from ALU. The processor socket size and speed are determined by the motherboard company. For example, the motherboard processor socket of Gigabyte cannot be installed on Dell's motherboard. So, the processor slot is based on the name of the motherboard company. My picture shows the Intel company processor slot for the Gigabyte H410MHV3 model motherboard. So, I have to buy the processor by matching the motherboard's name with the model number to change the processor. Below is a picture of the motherboard of Gigabyte and Intel's processor slot.

RAM (Random Access Memory) slot:
RAM is installed in the RAM slot. Motherboards from different companies have one to four RAM slots. My motherboard has two RAM slots. My computer's RAM is DDR4 type. RAM is designed into slots based on the name. RAM increases the speed of the computer. When we buy a computer, we calculate the RAM speed as 8GB or 16 GB. My laptop's RAM capacity is 8 GB, so I am trying to install 16 GB RAM. My laptop must have a slot for 16 GB RAM so I can increase the RAM capacity from 8 GB to 16 GB.

Expansion slot or PCIe slot:
This slot looks like a RAM slot. But looking at this slot, it is different from the RAM slot. PCIe slots connect graphics cards or other extra cards to the motherboard. This slot is used when we use extra graphics cards to design high-power full graphics. Extra sound cards can also be installed here. We also call it the AGP card.

Chipset:
There are two chipsets on the motherboard. I explain the chipset in terms of electronics. We know about the generation of computers. The first and second-generation computers were much larger. The reason is that diodes, transistors, capacitors, etc., were installed separately in a computer at that time. Then, the computer's semiconductor devices are updated generation after generation. Then, semiconductor devices were updated and shortened to IC (Integrated Circuit). Then again, the IC is updated to make the chipset smaller and faster. Computers have become smaller and faster since semiconductor devices have been updated. Due to the small size of the chipset and increased speed, we can now easily carry the computer.

Design By Canva

BIOS (Basic Input Output System):
We call RAM Random Access Memory; it can be read and written on the computer like an HDD. On the other hand, we call ROM read-only memory because it can only be read by the computer. This ROM is the BIOS. We see some text quickly when we turn on the computer. The BIOS manages the communication between the computer's input and output devices. Turns on the computer with a signal in a very short period of time. We set up the BIOS when we set up Windows.

Socket:
The motherboard has different types of connectors or sockets. For example, SATA sockets are used to connect HDDs and SSDs. CD or DVD is connected via an IDE socket. The M.2 socket is used for mounting state-of-the-art SSDs. Communication with the motherboard is done through these sockets. Power sockets also provide power from the power supply to the processor through the motherboard. There is also a socket for the processor cooling fan.

CMOS Battery:
This is a round battery on the motherboard. It keeps the time, date, and settings after the computer is turned off. The CMOS battery charge voltage acts as a backup.

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Task 3: External Ports Identification (2 points)

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Design By Canva

1.PS/2 Port:
There are two types of PS/2 ports for desktop computers. The two purple and green ports are the PS/2 ports. The purple port connects the keyboard, and the green port connects the mouse. At one time, these two ports were very popular. Currently, the use of these ports has decreased with the arrival of wireless mouse. I've marked the PS/2 port below.

2.VGA Port:
The VGA port sends the output signal to the monitor. There are different types of VGA ports. The VGA port sends a video signal but not an audio signal. The VGA port has fifteen holes. Fifteen coloured narrow cables transmit the signal. I have marked the image of the VGA port in the image.

3.HDMI port (High-Definition Multimedia Interface):
The HDMI port is wider and flatter than the USB port. It has a sloping pin inside. We use this port to connect a monitor, TV, or multimedia projector. I have marked the HDMI port in the picture.

4.USB Port:
USB ports are usually black, blue, or red. There are three types: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB-C. USB-3 is faster than USB-2, and USB-C can be used in both directions. We connect the keyboard, mouse, printer, and pen drive through the USB port. I have marked my computer's USB port in the picture.

5.Ethernet port (Lan Port):
The computer is connected to the Internet and network through the Ethernet port. It is fitted with RJ45 connectors, so the ports look like RJ45 connectors. I have marked the Ethernet port in the image.

6.Audio Jack:
There are three Audio jacks. I can tell by looking at small round holes in green, pink, and blue. These are used to connect headphones, microphones, and speakers. Audio output is provided to headphones and speakers via the green jack. The microphone is plugged in with the pink jack. Lined in with blue jacks, I have marked the audio jack in the picture.

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Task 4: Motherboard Failures and Solutions (2 points)

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From my computer experience, I've found the five major motherboard problems to be the most common. Below, I have written about five computer motherboard problems and how to solve them.

Problems and solutions for the motherboard from the power supply:
The computer is not starting or turns off after some time after starting.

Solution:

• In the case of the above problem, I first check the AC connection of 220 volts with the power supply. Sometimes, the electrical plug has a loose connection or is improperly fitted.

• If the AC power supply is OK, then the power supply's output voltage should be checked to see if the power is going to the motherboard properly.

BIOS problem:
When the computer turns on, the monitor screen often does not show anything and restarts. A beep code sounds.

Solution:

• A problem with BIOS settings can cause this problem. So first, go to BIOS settings and make new settings or restart the settings.

• Sometimes, the CMOS battery opens, and it can be fixed after some time. I have seen this problem solved many times.

Leaving the CMOS battery open for some time

Problem:
The computer shuts down due to overheating and runs slowly.

Solution:

• In case of such a problem, all CPU cooling fans must be checked. The white thermal paste attached to the processor can cause problems if it dries, so you must apply it again.

Problem:
Motherboard ICs, capacitors or other electronic components may be damaged as the capacitor can swell. So, we can see if we need a skilled technician or if we should take a good look at the motherboard.

Problem:
Sometimes, RAM can be a problem. If we see the BSOD text on the monitor, we can understand the RAM problem. Sometimes, the computer may hang.

Solution:

• The RAM slot should be opened and cleaned well. The RAM inside the slot should be cleaned with a soft cloth in various ways. After I cleaned it with rubber several times, the problem was solved.

• RAM can be installed in a new slot if there is more than one slot. This kind of problem occurs if there is a loose connection or dirt in the RAM slot, so I can try changing it.

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Task 5: Preventive Measures (2 points)

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Ways to prevent dust accumulation:
The desktop computer should be placed in a dust-free place. Open the CPU side cover once a week and clean the motherboard with a blower machine.

• The computer should be covered with a clean cloth after some time. Of course, after work, the CPU must be covered after the hot air inside is released.

• After three months, the dirt on the motherboard should be cleaned with a thin brush. RAM must be cleared.

Prevention of overheating:

• After running the computer for some time, hot air comes out from the CPU, so the temperature of the computer's use room should be kept low. If the room temperature is high, the internal temperature of the CPU will rise, the processor will heat up, and the computer will restart. So, the room temperature should be kept low.

Processor and CPU cooling fans are running

• While running the computer, the processor cooling fan on the CPU and motherboard must be checked. We understand fans running because of the sound of the cooling fans running. The problem should be understood through the sound while running the computer.

• When installing the computer, it should be installed in such a way that the hot air of the CPU cannot escape. Otherwise, the CPU will overheat.

Power Surge Prevention:

• Power Surge Prevention First, we make a big mistake. The electrical plug we use to run the computer should have an earthing connection. For example, the computer should be connected to three points, including Phase (L), Neutral (N) and Earthing (E) points in the three-pin plug. Earthing will protect the CPU in case of sudden electric shock circuits or lightning. When you touch the CPU, you sometimes get a light electric shock because there is no earthing in the electrical connection of the computer. So, all computer electrical connection plugs must be connected to three pins and earthing.

Right Socket connection(With Earthing)

Wrong Socket Connection (Without Earthing)

• We run multiple computers together with a multiplug, which is wrong. I think it's best not to run a computer with a multiplug. A computer should run through the stabilizer from a three-pin electrical connection. The earthing connection line in a multiplug is very short, and the size of the cable is small without considering its electrical load.

• Voltage stabilizer should be installed for every computer. Then, when lightning starts, the computer should be turned off and unplugged from the electrical plug.

CPU should be run with UPS

BIOS update:

• BIOS is very important for computers. It allows communication between the computer's input and output devices. The computer will not turn on if the BIOS signal is bad as soon as it is turned on. I have run into this problem many times. The computer won't turn on if the power goes out during BIOS setup, so keep a UPS as a power backup during BIOS setup.

• Many times, the computer does not turn on when the program is missing during the BIOS setup. So, the BIOS setup should be done properly.

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