Does My Computer Have A Bad Motherboard?

(For those of you for who are already familiar with this subject, please fast-forward to the third paragraph)

A motherboard is a thin circuit board slightly smaller than the dimensions of your computer, that electronically and mechanically integrates the various components of your computer into a functioning system. It contains thousands of etched copper 'wires' (called traces), in multiple stacked layers; most traces are thinner than a human hair. Each trace begins and ends with a microscopic solder point.

The motherboard typically has either a socket or a plug-in connector for your computer's CPU (processor), hard disk, memory, wireless adapter, modem, battery, LCD video display, keyboard, touchpad, CD/DVD drive, and external power jack. It also contains sockets for the USB, audio, speakers, microphone, webcam, and Ethernet ports. One customer recently likened it to a map of a major city, as viewed from a high elevation. It's a complicated component, to be sure - and the heart of any computer.

What happens when something goes wrong with your notebook's motherboard?

The symptoms are varied and often random. Most frequently, you might discover your computer has stopped reacting when the power button is pressed. It might also power on but not be able to load Windows. Or it might not display any video. It could also exhibit any combination of literally hundreds of different and often conflicting symptoms, from erratic operation to system hangs and freezes. Or no email on humid Tuesdays.

In general, motherboards cannot be repaired by mere mortals like myself. While there are a few shops around the country that have the highly specialized equipment and skills needed to diagnose and repair a motherboard problem, in 99.99% percent of the time, the motherboard is simply replaced because that is the more economic option.

The sad truth is that once a computer is out of warranty, it is not always cost-effective to replace the motherboard. Nearly every computer manufacturer charges far more for a new motherboard than your computer could possibly be worth. Generally, manufacturers price new motherboards at around 50% of the computer's original manufacturer's suggested retail price. Nobody's going to pay towards $400 to repair a $250 computer - I wouldn't do it even if you insisted. Well, I might.

What remains is basically eBay, where professional (and some not-so-professional) computer dismantlers congregate to sell used parts. While many of them are a pleasure to deal with, and sell well-tested parts, you are nonetheless receiving a used part that carries a very short or perhaps even no warranty. There is little assurance that a replacement used part won't also fail in the near future. I personally feel that used motherboards are overpriced, with sellers usually asking (and getting!) nearly 70% of the value of your used computer for the motherboard alone.

Despite all this, I replace motherboards frequently. Usually everything works out quite well, and the used board lasts a reasonable amount of time, often a number of years. Used motherboards cost from between $80 and $140 on eBay, and can always be installed in under two hours. One of the most significant advantages of replacing a motherboard -- and I can't overemphasize this -- it that once the motherboard is successfully replaced, your computer picks right up where it left off. No configuration is needed, no data recovery is needed, and there are no programs to reinstall and no need to learn new programs or a new operating system, or adjust to a new keyboard. Your computer will behave as if nothing had ever gone wrong. That is a clear advantage for people who just want to get back in the driver's seat.

Ultimately, of course, the decision to replace a defective motherboard is yours. Before making such a decision, be sure to factor in the risks as well as the realistic present value of your computer. In some cases, it can be less expensive in the long run to simply replace your computer with a new one.