How to Install a Motherboard

These general instructions are intended to supplement or simplify some of the information in your motherboard manual.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer Cases
• Motherboards

1. Make sure to read the manual that came with the motherboard - instructions differ for each one.

2. Ground yourself with any professional grounding equipment you have. Otherwise, ground yourself by touching the computer power supply.

3. Place motherboard on its anti-static bag.

4. Configure motherboard: Set jumpers or DIP switches for CPU, voltage(s), and bus speed, if necessary. If your motherboard is configured by software, you will need to configure it after you complete the physical installation.

5. Position motherboard in case. Line up holes in board with holes in case.

6. Insert spacers, plastic stand-offs, washers and screws, as necessary. Tighten screws carefully, but securely.

7. Make sure motherboard is not touching metal anywhere.

8. Make sure slots and connectors fit into openings on back of case.

9. Connect motherboard to power supply.

10. Connect CPU fan, if you have one, to power supply.

11. Connect reset and power switches to power supply.

12. Connect LED indicators to power supply.

13. Connect case speaker to motherboard.

14. Check all connections.

15. Test motherboard (and configure in CMOS if necessary) before installing other components of computer system.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible, do installation in an uncarpeted area.
• Be careful not to touch any chips. Handle board by its edges. Static damage (and even oil damage) may cause a failure months after the incident.
• If you do not understand these instructions or you lack good manual dexterity, have a qualified technician install the motherboard for you.

[jm49]

on 1/7/2009 I may be off base here but, on the newer m/b's you have metalized holes. The metalized holes were metalized to make the proper grounding with the system case. On the non-metalized holes you would use the washers. One between the board and standoff and another between the screw and motherboard. Chances are you will never need to use the non-metalized holes.

on 1/6/2006 1) Insert spacers first (but not a lot for easy motherboard swapping, 2-3 should be enough) and then the screw mounts on the rest of places. Close the mounts tightly with pliers (I know of some cases where people inserted screws too tightly that upon release the screw mounts would turn with the screw).

2) Apply motherboard upon spacers and press wherever a spacer is found until they "click" into place.
2a) Make sure motherboard is not touching metal anywhere.
2b) Make sure slots and connectors fit into openings on back of case.

3) Important step: put washers on screws so you won't damage the motherboard (some screws may touch circuits, shorten them, forcing you to buy a new motherboard).

4) Insert screws to the screw mounts (of course when inserting screws, don't tighten them for easy removal).

on 1/5/2006 You might have a magnetic screw driver. Don't use it on your Motherboard. It may damage it! I use long nose pliers to place screws into tight holes before screwing them hard.

on 11/22/2005 I observed technicians connect all necessary cables and wires to the board before mounting it in the case. I also find it very convenient.

on 11/22/2005 It helps to use a magnifying glass to plug in the LED connectors into the motherboard. Also, use lots of light when working on your MB.