Installing a new motherboard can be one of the more difficult aspects of a home built or upgraded PC. It involves getting right into the basics of your computer and replacing what is the core component. The motherboard is the heart and soul of any system, and upgrading to a newer model is a process that should be taken seriously and performed with the utmost of care. With that in mind, the following is a step-by-step guide to help make your next home upgrade go a lot smoother.
This guide also assumes that the user has done his or her homework in purchasing the motherboard for installation or upgrade, and that the various specifications (AT vs. ATX, proprietary components, etc.) have been noted and adhered to.
One of the more common mistakes is to just jump into a motherboard install without first making sure all the required components have been assembled. There is nothing more frustrating than getting a hardware installation almost finished, and then having to hunt endlessly for a driver disk or a Windows CD. Here are the items you should have ready before even thinking about the physical install:
- Motherboard, Video, Sound, etc. Driver Disks
- Windows (or other OS) CD
- Windows Registration Number
- Start-up Floppy Disk (with CD drivers if required)
- Motherboard
- IDE, Floppy and other required cables (if upgrading or adding new)
- Motherboard Installation Manual
- Screwdriver
- Container for Screws
- Anti-Static Bags or Sheets