Friday, October 30, 2009

Overview of Motherboards

By Matthew Kerridge

Do you use a computer? Do you know what a motherboard is? Would you know how to tell if there was a problem with the motherboard in your computer? Most computer users have a general idea of how their computers work, but many people do not know anything about what is inside the machines they use every day. Motherboards are the main complicated component in the computer that makes it run, made from interconnected electrical components wired and soldered onto the board. There are many things that can cause problems with computers. Older computers may not run if their motherboards are damaged or burnt out, which can happen in different ways.

Motherboards process electrical connections so other components can communicate, and they contain the central processing unit. There are microprocessor and memory chips on the motherboard, along with other components like external storage, controllers, and peripheral devices attached as plug-in cards or cables or right on the motherboard itself.

The motherboard's chipset interfaces between the CPU and the buses and external components and determines the computer's capabilities. In addition to the chipset, motherboards include sockets with microprocessors and memory, memory chips, the system's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), a clock generator to synchronize the various components, slots for expansion cards, power connectors to distribute electricity to the cpu and components, and expansion cards. Motherboards also include heat sinks and fans to control heat generated during operation by the electrical components.

The motherboard is the key component of the computer. It is the printed circuit board that provides all the connections between the different components in the computer. It houses the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and the BIOS chip. The CPU and the BIOS chip are the two main components that operate a computer. The BIOS starts first when the computer is turned on, and it powers up the CPU which controls everything else, like the hard drive, operating system, audio and video. The CPU is an assembly of transistors and devices (Pentium IV has more than 4 million transistors) which perform a multitude of programmed actions.

Most motherboards will last eight to ten years, although some are defective right out of the box and some fail soon after initial use. Manufacturers will replace them if they fail while under warranty. If out of warranty, or for the purposes of upgrades, motherboards can be costly and difficult to replace.

There are many things that can damage the motherboard, which is comprised of delicate electrical components, connections, and wiring, and make replacement necessary. Lightning can damage a motherboard if it travels through the wiring. Dropping a computer, especially a laptop, can damage the motherboard. Getting liquids on the motherboard, usually by spilling something in the keyboard, will short it out. Strong magnetic or electrical charges directly on or near the computer can damage the motherboard. If the fan or heat sink fails, the CPU and other components on the motherboard can overheat and be irreparably damaged. There are several diagnostic processes to use to determine if the motherboard has failed.

Motherboards are essential parts of computers, similar to the engines in automobiles. Computers will not run without them or if they are damaged. Motherboards are comprised of many different electrical components. The newest motherboards have many more components wired onto them than older motherboards, for faster and more efficient and powerful processing. They are delicate and complicated technological components that are essential to computing. - 22787

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