A few questions about a motherboard...?

Question

I need to install a new motherboard on my PC, my current one is dead.

1) How do I know which MoBo is compatible with my computer? Am I able to only buy certain kinds? What specs should I be looking for? I'm not looking for an upgrade, just something that works. And is the general price range for that? I have an emachines that's 2.5 years old.

2) Are they hard to install? I'm pretty good at figuring things out, and I know how to install everything else, like a PSU, RAM, video cards, drives, etc, but I've never tried a motherboard. Is that simple to do or is it best done by a repair shop?

3) At one place I went to the guy said that after the motherboard is installed, the computer won't just start up, he needs to fix the software too and that would be around $60. He said you either have to fix the software or install the OS (XP home edition) all over again. Is this true? I've never heard of that. The only thing wrong with the PC is that it needs a new MoBo. Has anyone heard that?

Answer 1

FIRST; I got thinking, your Power supply may have lost the 12 volts to the MoBo, you may be able to replace it and go with what you got. This link tell you how to test it.
http://www.motherboards.org/articles/guides/1487_1.html
It not too hard if you familiar with a few things: First go to this link and read a little;
http://www.motherboards.org/articles/tech-planations/1_1.html
Then in the paragraph on Mother board install is a link to "Installation". This should help. The Motherboard will have instructions too and a CD for stuff. Many of the on-line computer stores have information to help also, and if you can get them the MB Manufacture can give some tech support. Also, MB's use a Socket Spec, like 939 Socket for an AMD processor, which means you need an AMD 939 socket processor and think of the type memory you need. If you know what the old board have you may be able to use that RAM. The links some places you may already know, not say one better and there are others. Newegg good to browse, when you find a MB click Model info link and the next page give Customer Feedback AND scroll below the picture and you find the Manufacture link to that board to learn more.
Everyone have there preference, I like Asus and Gigabyte most, but, have used others. Heck, I have an old Gigabyte board runs Dual Processors (Not Dual Core).

Answer 2

I think confusion is going on in your head.
1. The motherboard is kind of like the computer...lets say its the body of it.
2. You dont install a motherboaed...all you do is lay it in the case and screw it in.
3. It is easy to do.
4.The motherboard is not compatible with "your computer" but if you are going to buy one then you need to make sure you get one that your cpu and your memory can be used on. If you get one thats newer then you are going to end up buying memory and new cpu for it.
5.I think what the guy at the store meant was that after the mobo is put in and the OS is installed on the hard drive he needs to install the drivers for it. Fix the software? WTF? If you are using the same hard drive you had before, just install the drivers for the new motherboard and thats it. If there is something wrong with the mobo then just try to get the same one you had...or just consider into buying a newer one and also the memory and cpu for it. It might be more expensive but it might not be worth it to just keep an old dinosaur around.

Good Luck To Ye

Answer 3

your motherboard and your proccessor, cpu, represent your computer, today you can get a combo of both for a buck sixty that is very competitive. however, if your have a good proccesor, than find a mobo that will support it. making sure to take account your hard drive, memory, and different slots for your sound and video cards. 2 and 1/2 years old, they go quick, a defibulator may revive it, but depending on your treatment, hardware goes bad over time. and needs to be replaced, i install alarm systems and their electronics runs an average 3 years, but keep in mind, they work like a vcr, the task is always the same, and nothing new is asked of them. computers are different, 2 and a half years is awesome to get out of a system, to upgrade would be the best however, due to the advancement of the industry in the last year. pro duo is the wave of the future, 2 calculators for one. may be not as fast a a super calculator, but can answer two different questions at one time, this is new to the computer world and will continue to grow. you've opened a can of worms, simply put.

Answer 4

CPUs drop right into the motherboard, usually requiring next to zero pressure at all. Your powersupply is going to depend on all of the components in your computer, so I cannot give you a good answer there. There are some programs that can benefit from multiple cores and some that can only run on 1 core. Google your most used programs and find out. If the majority only run 1 core, I would say get the 3.2 because its better than running at a 2.2 when only 1 core is utilized. Dual core is core 2 duo...

Answer 5

First, you have to get a mobo that will fit in the case. Micro ATX, and regular ATX mobos are different sizes. Then you'll have to know what CPU socket size and type (AMD or Intel) that you have. Then, you'll need to know if your current RAM will work in the new mobo. There are a lot of things to consider! If you want to make it easy on yourself, get a new computer. Building one for yourself is another option, considering that you where going to do this much work on a two and a half year old one. If you build one yourself, you'll need a new operating system anyway. Where in your current situation, you would have to re-activate your copy of WinXP if you replace the mobo.

Answer 6

Go to a repair shop for putting in the mobo, for #3 yes OS is likely needed to be reinstalled for everything to work in their own best performance, though as far as starting up a compatible 90% mobo it should get you into Safe Mode Windows.

Mobo installation is like disassemble and reassemble your computer, but getting a compatible mobo to start with is very hard and get a professional to do that part, installation of OS is much easier.

Answer 7

I see a few have some answers. I would question about the motherboard, usually they die last (from lightning through network card or power supply, then motherboard-maybe. Some motherboard survive this, not the powersupply or network card). Seen dail-up modems nailed, computer will not boot until the modem is removed from the motherboard first.
It would be a Micro-atx (matx) motherboard. If the chipset is different from the older motherboard, windows 'might' need reinstalling, same chipset, it will work without a hitch.
And one note: emachines are fairly famous for the powersupply dying.

Answer 8

AT--12 inches by 13.8 inches
Baby AT--8 inches by 10 to 13.8 inches
ATX--12 inches by 9.6 inches
Micro ATX--9.6 inches by 9.6 inches
FlexATX--9 inches by 7.5 inches
Mini ITX--6.7 inches by 6.7 inches
BTX--12.8 inches by 10.5 inches
The most common sizes today are ATX and Micro ATX. Also, some cases can take more than one type. If necessary, take your case or old motherboard to the store. Match 'em up with the goods there.

Buy one with the processor and heat sink installed. That is the only sticky part. Put it together{backwards of apart} load mobo drivers and the OS, and validate. Do it yourself. If you can do power supply, ram, etc you can screw a mobo on a case. I would use some static protection. Hold the case periodically, wristband, or alligator clips to a beer can as I do. Go for it! Might even check out the thrift stores for one.

Answer 9

First off... unless your computer is custom. Call your maker and ask what motherboard it is. Then find out what socket type it is and what prossessor. then go and get ether the same mobo or get a different one with the same socket. There is more but unless you know what your doing you should let someone else do it.

You dont have to reinstal the OS but it is easier to do it that way.

Again, unless you know what your doing... get someone to do it. you can hurt yourself or more of the machine if you dont know what your doing.

Answer 10

Are you absolutely sure that it is dead? Maybe the battery just needs to be replaced.