Upgrade computers - Installing a motherboard

Assuming you are replacing a bad motherboard, you’ll have to remove the existing one first. Turn the computer off, remove the case and touch the chassis to discharge any static build-up. Unplug the power cord from the back of the PC.

Installing a motherboard

Remove peripherals

Unplug anything plugged into the cards and anything on the back of the computer and unscrew each card and remove it by pulling straight up.

Then unplug anything plugged into the motherboard from the back, such as USB devices, video, keyboard, and mouse. Next, locate all ribbon cables and unplug them from the mother board.

Installing a motherboard

There will also be several wires plugged into the front of the motherboard for the reset button, power button, and hard drive light. These are labeled.

There may also be extra fans that plug into the board for power, those should all be removed.

Lastly, unplug the power connector which comes down from the power supply.

Now look for screws holding the motherboard down, unscrew them. The motherboard will probably come out with a combination of pulling it up and slightly towards the front of the case.

Here’s what your case will look like once the motherboard is removed.

Installing a Motherboard

Simply reverse the process to install the new motherboard.

Make sure that the standoffs (what the screws go into) line up with the holes on the motherboard. This is pretty standard, but in rare cases I have had to move them around. Also check to make sure the plate on the case matches the new motherboard. Most of the time a new motherboard will come with one and they just pop out of the case and the new one will pop in.

Put the screws back in, don’t over tighten, and please don’t use those washers.

Locate the set of pins for power, reset, and speaker connectors. Plug those in being careful to align pin 1 on the connectors with pin 1 on the board. They are almost always silk screened on the board, but if not consult the manual.

Plug the ribbon cables back in, these are keyed and sized so don’t force them. Plug the power connector back in and just re-install all the cards, being sure to screw them back into place. Plug the devices that were connected to the back of the motherboard back in and plug the power cord back in.

Double check that any other extras like fans or lights have been connected to power. Provided you’ve installed a CPU and memory, you’re ready to go!then you might want to check out some excellent deals by searching online.

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