How to Determine the Motherboard on a Laptop

A motherboard serves as a central component of any computer. It bears the other hardware components and providing connectors for all of the peripheral devices on the computer. If you plan to upgrade your laptop, you must determine the motherboard model. This information allows you to correctly select hardware components, like a processor (CPU) and memory modules, that are compatible with your motherboard.

Instructions

1. Log into a user account in Windows XP/Vista or Windows 7 on your laptop.

2. Click on the orb-shaped button in the lower left corner of the screen. Access the "Start" menu.

3. Open "All Programs". Click "Accessories".

4. Select the folder "System Tools". Click on "System Information". This action will open a system information window.

5. Click on "System Summary" located in the left panel of the system information window.

6. Locate the "System Model" (information about the motherboard model) and System Manufacturer (name of the manufacturer). These will be located on the right panel.

References

• "Windows Vista: The Missing Manual;" David Pogue; 2006
• Tomshardware.com:Motherboard Component Overview

Resources

• Motherboards.org