Motherboard Questions, Replacements, and Issues Resolution

1. Browse to the "Dell Support" website.
2. You are given three options to identify your computer.

   Either:

   • Touch or click the listing for your computer under THIS PC.
     Note: When there is no listing for your computer under THIS PC, you can touch or click Download & Install SupportAssist, which automatically identifies your computer for you. Follow the prompts to download and install SupportAssist.
   • Enter the Service Tag, Dell EMC Product ID, or Model, and then touch or click the Search button, and select your computer from the list.
   • Touch or click Browse all products: then select the type of device you have, the brand name, and then the product model.
     Note: For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article, "How to Determine the Model Number of Your Dell Computer" or the video below.
3. Touch or click the DIAGNOSTICS tab.
4. Under Custom Component Test, touch or click Select individual components.
5. In the list, touch or click to select Motherboard under Performance.
   Note: Other hardware tests are also available.
6. Touch or click the Run Your Test. The test is run, and the results are shown.

Video (English Only)- Find your Desktop, Laptop, or AIO Service Tag (1:47)

The diagnostic test in SupportAssist only runs a cursory look at the hardware. A more comprehensive diagnostic tool is available, but it takes more time to complete. Running a complete hardware-diagnostic test can help you identify hardware-related problems and provide troubleshooting steps to resolve the issues.

To run the Dell enhanced Preboot System Assessment (ePSA) or Preboot System Assessment (PSA), perform the following steps.

1. Restart your Dell computer.
2. When the Dell logo appears, press the F12 key to enter One-time Boot Menu.
3. Use the arrow keys to select Diagnostics, and press Enter key on the keyboard.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts and respond appropriately to complete the diagnostics.
   If the test fails, write down the error code and validation code.

• Refer to Dell Knowledge Base article Resolve Hardware Issues With Built-in and Online Diagnostics (SupportAssist ePSA, ePSA or PSA Error Codes) for information about how to look up the error code for additional help.
• Browse to the "SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check" page to get more information about what to do when you have an ePSA or PSA diagnostic error code.

To learn more about Dell ePSA or PSA, browse to the Dell knowledge-base article "Resolve Hardware Issues With Built-in and Online Diagnostics (ePSA or PSA Error Codes)."

Diagnose Hardware Issues on Your Dell Notebook or Desktop using Dell ePSA Diagnostic Test

For most computers, once the motherboard in your computer has been replaced, the replacement motherboard has a preinjected key in the motherboard firmware that automatically activates Windows.

In a few cases, for various reasons, this automatic activation process may fail, and a replacement Service Product Key for Windows may be required to resolve the issue.

Refer to Dell Knowledge Base article "Activating Windows After The Motherboard Has Been Replaced," for more information.

When Your Trusted Platform Module (TPM) enabled Dell computer has a motherboard replaced due to a No Power on Self-Test (POST) issue, and you have BitLocker enabled within the Operating System, you are required to enter the BitLocker Recovery key when booting to the Operating System.

See the Dell Knowledge Base article "BitLocker prompting for recovery key after Motherboard Replacement," for more information.

While some components on the motherboard such as the Memory or Hard Drive may be upgraded to higher capacities (depending on the computer), the motherboard itself is not meant to be upgraded.

Replacing the motherboard with another that is not an exact Dell branded replacement, will void any remaining warranty and is not supported by Dell.

For information about how to replace an out-of-warranty motherboard with an exact Dell branded replacement in your computer, see the Owners or Service Manual for your computer.

For more information about obtaining the Owner's or Service Manual, see the Dell Knowledge Base article "Manuals and Documentation for your Dell Product."

For information about the System Board components on your computer, see the Owners or Service Manual for your computer.

For more information about obtaining the Owner's or Service Manual, see the Dell Knowledge Base article "Manuals and Documentation for your Dell Product."