Test a computer motherboard and CPU for failures
A bad computer motherboard or CPU can cause an assortment of different issues on your computer. Below are a few of the possible issues you may encounter. It is important to remember that the issues below can also be caused by more than a bad motherboard and CPU.
1-The computer does not boot, instead, you get a beep code.
2-Random computer crashes causing general protection fault error messages, illegal operations, or fatal exceptions, etc.
3-The computer randomly reboots.
There are different ways to test and troubleshoot your computer's motherboard and CPU to determine if it's bad or has flaws. Below is a listing of these recommendations.
Visual hardware check
The first thing to do is a visual check of the motherboard. A common cause of motherboard issues or failure is bulged or blown capacitors. Check the top of each capacitor to see if it's bulging or leaking, which is an indication the capacitor is blown. If you find any bulging or blown capacitors, that's very likely causing computer motherboard problems.
For the CPU, a visual check requires you to remove the CPU from the computer. Once the CPU is removed, check for bent pins on the side that are inserted into the motherboard. If you find a bent pin, that's likely causing issues with the CPU and computer.
How to install a computer processor.
It may be possible to replace a bulging or blown capacitor, but it requires precision soldering to install a new capacitor. Bent pins on a CPU can be bent back into place, but very carefully. However, can break off when trying to bend it back, and if that happens, the CPU needs to be replaced.
If a visual check shows there are no obvious visible issues, use a software utility or hardware tools to diagnose the problem.
Software and hardware solutions
Below are a couple of software programs designed to test your computer's motherboard and CPU. However, with the complexity and wide variety of computer motherboards and CPUs, these programs may not detect every possible failure.
Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool - If you have an Intel processor the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool is a great free utility for a testing a variety of Intel processors.
There are also some excellent hardware tools for testing and diagnosing motherboards and CPUs. Below are a few of these tools.
PC-doctor - A fantastic, but not cheap, the solution often used for service centers and technicians to diagnose computer hardware issues including motherboard issues.
Ultra-X - Another great collection of products to test computer hardware, including the motherboard.
Replace the motherboard and CPU
If the tools listed above used to test the motherboard or CPU show that either or both are bad, then replace them. There is no easy or cheap way to fix either piece of hardware.
Note
If the bad motherboard or CPU is in a laptop, you likely need to take your laptop to a licensed computer repair shop for help. Trying to replace the motherboard or CPU yourself may void the laptop warranty.
If you have not tried a software or hardware tool to analyze the motherboard or CPU, you may want to take your computer to a computer repair shop. Be aware that they may also recommend replacing the motherboard or CPU if they find one or both to be defective.