- 1). Power down the computer and disconnect all cables.
- 2). Open the computer case by unscrewing the case door from the back of the case. In some cases, you may have to push a button, buttons or a release to remove the door.
- 3). Unscrew the fan and heat sink from on top of the CPU. Disconnect the small power cable from the fan that connects to the motherboard. Remove the heat sink and fan. Lift the small metal bar that may be holding the CPU in place. Lift the CPU out.
- 4). Push the side connectors on the RAM and lift the RAM modules out of the motherboard RAM slots.
- 5). Unscrew any cards from the back of the case. Remove the cards and disconnect all of the cables connected to the motherboard, including power and data cables. Unscrew the motherboard from the case and pull it out.
- 6). Put the new main board in place and screw it in. Read the main board manual to maker sure all of your current hardware will fit in and work with the new main board. Replace any hardware that no longer will work with the new board.
- 7). Reconnect all of the cables to the main board. You may need to look at the diagrams in the manual to determine where some cables go. This is especially true for the case cables.
- 8). Insert the CPU in the CPU slot and match up the CPU pins with the processor and the slot. There is only one correct way to insert it. Screw the heat sink and fan on top of the CPU and connect the fan's power cable to the motherboard.
- 9). Put the memory into the memory slots and connect any cards and screw them in place. Close the case and plug the computer in and power it on. Changing the motherboard will frequently require you to reinstall the operating system. Put an operating system CD in the drive and then restart the computer and reinstall Windows if needed. If you do not need to reinstall Windows, you will at least need to insert the driver disk and browse to the drivers when Windows asks for them.
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