How to Test Laptop Motherboard With Multimeter Step by Step Guide?

I’ll teach everything about How to Test Laptop Motherboard With Multimeter in this article. The motherboard is the mother of all boards! It is comparable to the brain in that it monitors all of the CPU’s functions.

It is constructed in such a way that the circuitry operates without the use of wires. However, it is vital to periodically examine or troubleshoot the motherboard. This is when a multimeter comes in handy.

It aids in the testing of practically all circuits, particularly when anything is wrong. Troubleshooting is an integral part of owning a system or any electrical device, and a multimeter is an excellent tool for this.

Warning: Electrical work and components might be dangerous. Electrical measurements require utmost prudence. Before using a digital multimeter, carefully read and comprehend the directions and warnings contained in the owner’s manual.

How to Test Laptop Motherboard With Multimeter

Let’s take a closer look at this and discover how to test your motherboard with a multimeter.

DC Voltages Testing

Step 1

Adjust the multimeter to 20V DC. With the black multimeter sample, taste the connector’s backside and place the black sample in contact with pin 15, 16, or 17. (Pins with GND).

Step 2

Pin 9 (Purple, VSB) should have a voltage of 5 volts and pin 14 (Green, PS On) should have a voltage of between 3 and 5 volts (any other reading indicates a fault in the PSU).

By pressing the power button on the computer, the value of PS On should be reduced to 0. Other chores indicate that the switch is faulty.

Step 3

Verify if Pin 8 (grey, power) is greater than 2.5 V using the red sensor; this indicates that it is safe to start the computer. The Power OK value should decrease to zero and then raise again.

PSU and Motherboard Short/Open Circuit Testing

Step 1

Unplug the computer from the AC power source and allow any remaining charge to drain for several minutes.

Set the metre to the lowest ohm configuration (about 200) and connect the leads of the samples to zero per metre.

Both leads should be in contact with the bare metal of the computer chassis; the zero readings should be identical.

Step 2

Carefully detach the ATX connector from the motherboard. Maintain the black sensor on the chassis metal and verify the PSU A/C ground pin and the black wire pins on the D/C connector with the red conductor; they should all read zero.

Step 3

Keep the black lead and verify the chassis of the D/C connector with the red sample for the coloured wire pin values. All coloured wires should be a minimum of 50 gauge.

Step 4

Remove the CPU from the motherboard socket. Utilize the ATX 20-pin chart to identify the PINs on the board’s connector.

Maintain the black lead on the chassis and test the GND pins with the red lead on the motherboard: pins 3, 5, 7, 13, 15, 16, and 17 should all read zero. Any other reading implies that a connector is faulty.

How to test a computer CPU & Motherboard for failures?

The primary task is to visually analyse the motherboard. Condensers that have swelled or blown are a common source of motherboard difficulties or disappointment.

Inspect the top end of each condenser for swelling or spillage, which indicates that the condenser has blown.

You keep an eye out for swelling or blown condensers. It is most likely the source of PC motherboard troubles. A failing hard drive may offer you indications of a problem, such as blue screens or missing files. However, a motherboard will occasionally fail to function properly.

• A visual inspection of the CPU is expected after removing it from your PC.
• When the CPU is disconnected.
• Inspect the motherboard for bowed pins.
• You track a bowed pin, which may cause CPU and PC issues.

Can I Test a Motherboard Without a Processor?

As a result, we would respond evasively to this enquiry. If your motherboard offers a unique feature, you can test it without using a CPU. POST (Power-on Self Test) is one of those functionalities, and it diagnoses your motherboard using LED lights. This functionality is only possible on high-quality motherboards, not on those that are more than a decade old.

When you power on your computer for the first time, you’ll see that the cooling fans are spinning. It indicates that everything has gone swimmingly up to this point. You have no idea whether your PC will continue to function after you install the CPU.

If your motherboard includes built-in speakers, you will hear a beeping sound, indicating that the motherboard is having difficulty detecting the CPU. Now that your motherboard is fully functional, you may proceed to installing your processor.

However, certain motherboards will not beep in the absence of key components such as RAM or a CPU. However, do not panic, as not all motherboards include built-in speakers.

How can I detect whether my CPU has been damaged?

• Connect your computer to a plug and turn it on.
• Conduct a screen search for BIOS manufacturer names such as Award, AMI, or Phoenix.
• When the computer boots up, tune in.
• The file name and configuration of beeps that occur when your computer passes an individual power test is referred to as a POST test.
• The number and type of beeps indicating CPU damage vary according to the manufacturer of your BIOS. Therefore, consult the documentation that comes with a PC or call a PC mechanical store to assess whether the POST is harmful to the CPU.
• Examine the CPU fan to ensure it is operating normally and, if required, replace it.

FAQs ― How to Test Laptops Motherboard With Multimeter

Conclusion

While it may appear daunting, testing a multimeter motherboard is not difficult. There are only a few steps necessary to learn How to Test Laptop Motherboard With Multimeter, and we’ve here! You will know if there are any errors or if your motherboard is in perfect condition.