1. Note … The motherboard is a field replaceable unit FRU IT Essentials 1

2. Selecting a Motherboard • Motherboard form factor • Determines the size of the board • Drives selection of power supply, case, CPU, cards • ATX: still, most popular motherboard form factor • BTX: the latest motherboard form factor IT Essentials 1

3. Three types of motherboards you can select: • A board providing the most room for expansion • A board suiting the computer’s current configuration • A board falling in between current and future needs IT Essentials 1

4. An ATX motherboard with PCI Express and Socket 775 IT Essentials 1

5. Selecting a Motherboard • Some questions to ask when picking a motherboard • What form factor does the motherboard use? • Does the motherboard provide proper CPU support? • What type of BIOS does the motherboard use? • Does the board fit the case you plan to use? • What is the warranty on the board? • Embedded (on-board) component • Component located on the board • Avoid board with too many embedded components • Such boards do not easily accept add-on devices IT Essentials 1

6. Buses and Expansion Slots • Buses are like highway transportation systems • Four types of cargo carried by a bus: • Power, • control signals, • memory addresses, • data IT Essentials 1

7. Bus Evolution • Buses have evolved around data path and speed • Synchronous components work with clock cycle • Asynchronous components are out of step with CPU • There is a concept (mostly outdated now) called the Wait State: The processor could be put into a wait state by a peripheral device, until that device is ready to continue. In other words, a command to the CPU to wait for slower device IT Essentials 1

8. Bus types • expansion, • local, • local I/O, • local video IT Essentials 1

9. Expansion Buses Buses that do not run in sync with the system clock are correctly termed Expansion Buses, and connect to the SouthBridge IT Essentials 1

10. Local Bus • These buses run in sync with the system clock IT Essentials 1

11. .. But ….. • If a local bus feeds into the SouthBridge then it is correctly termed a Local I/O bus IT Essentials 1

12. .. Otherwise… • If the local bus feeds into the NorthBridge then it is just termed a local bus IT Essentials 1

13. …unless…. …. The local bus happens to support video (like AGP or PCI Express)…. … in which case it is correctly termed a local video bus IT Essentials 1

14. ISA Slots • ISA = Industry Standard Architecture • Transferred 8 bits at a time at a rate of 4.77 MHz • Later increased to 16 bits at a time and a rate of 8.33 MHz IT Essentials 1

15. PCI Slots • PCI = Peripheral Component Interconnect • Developed by Intel in 1991 to replace ISA IT Essentials 1

16. PCI • Original PCI bus supported 32 bits per transfer, at 33 MHz, and provided 5 V • Later adaptation – PCI 2.x had 64 bit transfer and provided 3.3 V • So, used a 32 bit or 64 bit parallel transfer scheme • Problem? IT Essentials 1

17. PCI Problem? • How to distinguish between 5 V and 3.3 V? • Solution – Use notch, giving 5 V PCI Card, 3.3 V PCI Card, and Universal PCI Card IT Essentials 1

18. More on PCI….. • Now ‘PCI’ has 4 different slots and 6 possible PCI card configurations IT Essentials 1

19. PCI-X • This is a later standard • PCI-X has 3 ‘revisions’ or sub-categories, the most current is PCI-X 3.0 IT Essentials 1

20. PCI Express • Intended to be the PCI standard and replace conventional PCI as well as PCI-X • PCI Express is not compatible with PCI or PCI-X • Uses a Serial Bus (bit after bit) IT Essentials 1

21. PCI Express comes in 4 different slot sizes • PCI Express X 1 (4 wires make up a single data lane) • PCI Express X 4 (…) • PCI Express X 8 • PCI Express X 16 ( .. 16 lanes) A ‘lane’ has 2 wires to send and 2 wires to receive. A PCIe X 1 can fit into a PCIe X 16 slot. IT Essentials 1

22. The odd thing about PCI Express is… • Traditionally, PCI buses connected to the SouthBridge • Now, PCI express - defines a link for PCI e (for express) slots to the SouthBridge … and … - defines a link for one special PCI slot to the NorthBridge. The NorthBridge slot is the one intended to hold a PCIe Video Card. IT Essentials 1

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25. Buses listed by throughput IT Essentials 1

26. Four outdated bus connections on expansion cards IT Essentials 1

27. Buses and Expansion Slots • The PCI buses • Intended to replace the 16-bit ISA bus • Types: Conventional PCI, PCI-X, PCI Express • On-board ports (integrated components) • Examples: keyboard, mouse port, parallel printer, USB • Internal connectors • EIDE, floppy drive connector, serial ATA, SCSI, 1394 • Riser slots • Audio/modem riser (AMR) • Communication and networking riser (CNR) IT Essentials 1

28. How PCI Express connects to the chipset and processor IT Essentials 1

29. An audio/modem riser slot can accommodate an inexpensive modem riser card IT Essentials 1

30. Hardware Configuration • Three ways to configure the motherboard: • DIP switches, jumpers, CMOS RAM • Dual inline package (DIP) switch • Has ON (binary 1) and OFF (binary 0) positions • Reset DIP switch when adding or removing device • Use pointed instrument other than graphite pencil • Jumpers • Retain setup or installation information • Are opened and closed using jumper covers • Typical setting: enabling/disabling keyboard power-up IT Essentials 1

31. DIP switches are sometimes used to store setup data on motherboards IT Essentials 1

32. Setup information about the motherboard can be stored by setting a jumper on (closed) or off (open). A jumper is closed if the cover is in place, connecting the two pins that make up the jumper; a jumper is open if the cover is not in place. IT Essentials 1

33. Hardware Configuration • CMOS RAM • Also called clock/nonvolatile RAM (RTC/NVRAM) • Stores most configuration for the motherboard • Can be accessed without opening the case • CMOS setup program • Stored on a floppy disk or ROM BIOS chip • Access built-in program by pressing key during POST • Menus: Main, Advanced, Power, Boot, and Exit • Brand name PCs, such as IBM, have custom screens IT Essentials 1

34. How to access CMOS setup IT Essentials 1

35. CMOS Setup Main menu IT Essentials 1

36. The coin cell is the most common type of CMOS battery IT Essentials 1

37. Flashing ROM BIOS • Programs stored in the ROM BIOS chip: • CMOS setup program • Startup BIOS that manages the startup process • System BIOS that manages basic I/O functions • Programs on ROM BIOS may need upgrades • Flashing: upgrading or refreshing ROM BIOS chip • Sources for ROM BIOS upgrades • Manufacturer’s Web site • http://www.esupport.com IT Essentials 1

38. Intel displays a list of motherboard model numbers that have a Flash BIOS upgrade available IT Essentials 1

39. Motherboard Drivers • Located on CD bundled with motherboard • Motherboard CD may also contain useful utilities • Drivers are periodically updated by manufacturer • Dealing with an unstable motherboard • Check for updated drivers, especially chipset drivers • Install updated drivers for non-functioning devices IT Essentials 1

40. Replacing a Motherboard • Overview of the replacement process • 1. Verify that you have selected the right motherboard • 2. Determine the power configuration settings • 3. Remove components to reach the old motherboard • 4. Set any jumpers or switches on the motherboard • 5. Install the processor and processor cooler • 6. Install RAM into appropriate slots on motherboard • 7. Install the motherboard • 8. Attach cabling (case switches, power supply, drives) • 9. Install the video card on the motherboard IT Essentials 1

41. Replacing a Motherboard (continued) • Overview of the replacement process (continued) • 10. Plug in PC and then attach monitor and keyboard • 11. Boot the system and enter CMOS setup • 12. Make sure the settings are set to default • 13. Observe POST and verify that no error occurs • 14. Check for conflicts with system resources • 15. Install the motherboard drives • 16. Install any other expansion cards and drives • 17. Verify the system is up and running IT Essentials 1

42. Preparing the Motherboard to Go Into the Case • Read the manual before preparing the motherboard • Setting the jumpers • First step in preparing the motherboard • The manual explains jumper and DIP switch settings • Information differs from one motherboard to the next • Tasks performed after setting the jumpers • Install the processor and cooler • Install the memory modules IT Essentials 1

43. BIOS configuration jumper settings IT Essentials 1

44. Installing the Motherboard in the Case • Overview of the eight general steps: • 1. Install the faceplate (I/O shield) • 2. Install the standoffs (spacers) • 3. Secure the motherboard in the case • 4. Connect the power cord to the PI power connection • 5. Connect 4-pin auxiliary power cord to motherboard • 6. Connect the wire leads from front panel of case • 7. Refer to manual to verify wire to pin connection • 8. Connect USB connection (if present) to USB ports IT Essentials 1

45. Completing the Installation • Following the connection of cables and cords • Install the video card • Plug in the keyboard and monitor • Turn the system on • Look out for errors during POST • Install drivers from CD bundled with motherboard • Verify operations • Make OS and CMOS adjustments as needed IT Essentials 1