Printed circuit boards, or PCBs, are collections of leads and electronic components mounted on a board. This allows for mass production of complicated electronic devices. Computer motherboards are one of the more common examples of PCBs. They are also one of the more common boards needing replacement due to power spikes and other things that can cause a board to burn out. Replacing a burned motherboard is a simple matter of removing the old board and installing a new one. However, you need to take some safety precautions to ensure that no further damage is done and no harm comes to you.
Instructions
1 Unplug all cables and USB devices that are externally connected to the computer, especially the power cables. Hold the power button down for 45 seconds to ensure that the on-board capacitors have been discharged.
2 Open up your computer, put on the wrist strap, and connect the alligator clip on the other end to the metal chassis of the computer.
3 Detach the screws securing the PCI and other cards, such as the graphics and sound cards, in the computer and carefully lift the screws and the cards out.
4 Take a picture of the motherboard so that you will have a reference image to ensure that you properly reconnect all cables to the motherboard.
5 Remove all of the screws holding the motherboard in place.
6 Remove the burned motherboard. Insert the replacement motherboard and screw it into place. Be careful not to nick the edges of the new motherboard on the chassis when installing it.
7 Remove the RAM from the old motherboard and insert it into the new motherboard, making sure it clicks into place. If you did not purchase a new processor, transfer the old processor over from the old motherboard as well.
8 Reattach all of the cables, then reinsert all of the accessory cards and screw them into place. Detach the anti-static wrist band's connection from the chassis.
9 Close the computer and reattach all external cables and USB devices.
