Computer motherboards: is your business at risk?

Imagine not being able to access your computer, your databases, your client details, website or accounting data. That's the impact a malfunctioning computer motherboard can have on your business.

But what is a motherboard? How do you know if it's faulty, and how do you fix it?

Motherwhat?

"The motherboard is the piece of hardware inside your computer that everything else fits onto," says Dale Peters of Mr Fixit Computers. "For want of a better word, it's the guts of the computer."

Dale explains that the motherboard provides the electrical connections that allow the many components of your computer to communicate with each other, effectively making your computer operate.

No motherboard, no computer?

Put simply, a misfiring motherboard renders your computer useless. Dale says the signs of a malfunctioning computer motherboard are obvious.

"You'll know straightaway when the motherboard is dead," he says. "Either the machine won't turn on or, if it does, nothing will happen - there will be nothing on the screen, and no boot-up procedure."

Can I replace the motherboard?

"In some circumstances, particularly where the motherboard is old, it will make better financial sense to buy another computer," Dale says.

"If it's old, chances are it won't take the RAM, the video card, the power supply and so on. All the slots change from generation to generation." 

New motherboard, better performance?

According to Dale, you wouldn't replace your computer motherboard to boost performance unless you also planned to install other new components. "All it will do is facilitate the machine being able to run better components on the motherboard," he says.

Installing a new motherboard could also create compatibility issues, as a new motherboard is unlikely improve the performance of existing components.

Motherboard maintenance

There is one natural enemy of motherboards: dust. 

"The best thing you can do is keep your machines dust free," advises Dale. "If you get a lot of dust inside your computer it can overheat and start breaking down."

The good news is that motherboard problems are reasonably uncommon. "One in a couple of hundred people would have the motherboard die before the useful life of the computer is over," says Dale.

Protect your data 

If your computers or servers won't turn on, boot up or load programs, phone a computer expert to find out if the motherboard is faulty. A quick diagnosis and early action can get you working again within hours.