The motherboard is the most vital component of any computer system. A dead motherboard renders the whole computer unusable. However, recognizing the symptoms of a failing motherboard might be challenging. In this guide, we will help you understand the signs of a bad motherboard, and how you can prevent a motherboard failure.
Looking for a quick solution to your failing motherboard? You can use an ORIA Precision Screwdriver to disassemble the computer and tighten the loose components and screws. Also, you can use the Xpower Airrow Blower to clean the computer ventilation and fans to enhance cooling. With the iClever Power Strip Surge Protector, you can be sure the motherboard won’t suffer from surge damage.
How To Know If Motherboard Is Bad And Failing: Signs & Symptoms
Blue Screen
One of the most popular signs of a failing motherboard is a blue screen, commonly known as the blue screen of death. The blue screen of death results from a hardware failure in the computer system, preventing the operating system from operating at safe levels.
Although it’s not a sign of a complete failure, it means some computer components are in near-death critical conditions.
Slowing Down
You might be familiar with the usual speed of your computer. If the operating speed reduces, and the computer becomes sluggish, it might be a symptom of a motherboard failure. Although the speed may reduce if you are multitasking or running memory-intensive programs, you might notice sluggishness even when carrying out simple tasks such as typing.
Glitches Or Freezes
Have you noticed your computer freezing, and every icon seems inactive? Well, this might be a sign of a dying motherboard. Although the computer sometimes hangs due to the load on the memory, frequent freezes even when the memory is not loaded is a bad sign.
Keep in mind that the computer can freeze due to the external hardware attached, and so you can remove them and check whether the freezes persist.
Hardware Damage
Like other electrical gadgets, the computer motherboard comes with capacitors and transistors. A problem in electrical connections can cause short-circuiting and ultimately burn on these components.
Although you might not see them physically because of the computer casing, the burning smell is one of the major faulty motherboard symptoms when it comes to short-circuiting. When you notice such a symptom, immediately switch off the computer and disconnect it from the power supply to prevent the total death of the motherboard.
Failure To Recognize Hardware
Although you might overlook this problem, it can be a sign of a faulty motherboard. Computer motherboards are designed to recognize common hardware such as external hard disks and flash drives.
If a computer that has been recognizing these hardware stops recognizing them even after rebooting, it could mean the motherboard is dying. However, faulty external hardware can also cause the issue, and so you have to test it with different hardware or test the hardware with a different computer to ensure the problem is the motherboard.
Keep in mind that this issue can get to the point of making the computer unusable, especially if it can’t recognize the mouse, the keyboard, or the monitor.
Overheating
Overheating is not only a cause of a mobo failure but also a common motherboard problems symptoms. Computers generate heat when running, and so it’s normal for computers to feel warm.
Although the computers may overheat when you are running intense programs such as games, it should not be the case when doing simple tasks. If you notice the computer is overheating when idle or running simple programs, it might be a sign of a faulty motherboard.
How To Avoid A Dead Motherboard
Check For A Short Circuit
Also, if a computer is hit or falls, some electrical components such as CPU coolers might become loose, get into contact with metallic surfaces and cause short-circuiting.
In such cases, disassemble the computer before reconnecting it to the power supply. Using the ORIA Precision Screwdriver screwdriver, ensure you tighten the screws and replace the missing screws with new ones.
Use The Right PSU
The power supply unit of a computer is attached to the motherboard. If the computer components require more power than the specifications of the power supply unit, it can cause some motherboard components to die. You can prevent this by using a PSU that meets the power requirements of your computer.
Protect The Motherboard From Power Surges
Another common but preventable cause of motherboard death is power surges. This is more prevalent when sharing the same power source with power-hungry devices such as refrigerators and air conditioners.
Although most motherboards come with protective features to help them accommodate power surges, significant surges can ruin the motherboard.
You can avoid this scenario by using the iClever Power Strip Surge Protector when connecting the computer to the power supply.
Clean the Fans Regularly
On the other hand, overheating can cause a total motherboard death. The heat sinks and fans help to dissipate the heat and maintain optimum operating temperatures.
However, if dust accumulates around the fans and ventilations, the motherboard can start overheating.
If that is the case, you can use Xpower Airrow Blower to clean the ventilation and fans.
Final Words About How To Tell If Motherboard Is Going Bad Or Dying
Although modern motherboards come with advanced protective features that make them resilient, they are still prone to failure. The essential part is identifying the signs and symptoms of a bad motherboard, and repairing it before it’s completely dead.
You can use the ORIA Precision Screwdriver screwdriver to help you with the disassembly and the Xpower Airrow Blower to help you clean out the dust which may have accumulated in the ventilation and fans. Also, a surge protector will help you protect the iClever Power Strip Surge Protector computer from power surges.
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