Consider this: Do you have the tools and knowledge to do low level component repair? Do you know what I mean by low level component repair?
If no is the answer, then there is no repairing the motherboard for you. There is however things that can be done to a main board that is malfunctioning that don't require repair of the board itself. So this section will deal with trouble shooting and things that can be repaired/replaced.
Before opening your computer case check the safety precautions !!
If you have a proprietary computer there is not a lot you can do besides diagnose your problem then call the manufacture support and get it replaced.
Trouble shooting mother board problems.
Most manufactures buy their bios from programming houses like Phoenix. Some manufactures have their own in house bios programs, like Compaq (now HP). These bios programs have a section for diagnostics, some of them are accessible by the user others are not. Most have a way to tell you there is a problem with the computer, these are "post" codes (Power On System Test). Some also have "beep" codes, the computer speaker beeps a certain code for different failures. The main thing is when you turn on the computer you either get a number on the screen, the computer starts beeping, or it dumps into the BIOS setup screen.
I can not list all post and beep codes here but they can be found by noting the BIOS program name when the computer starts up, then searching the web for the codes by the programming house name.
From the post or beep code you get a general idea of what the problem is. Memory? Video? Keyboard? Mouse? and so on.
Most problems with components can be resolved fairly easily and quickly. Sometimes reseating the component will take care of the problem. Sometimes removing the component and putting it back in will clear the problem. If the problems persist after reseating it then it is dead, needs to be replaced.
The main thing is troubleshoot the problem before replacing it, this will save you some money.
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