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Lesson 2: The
Motherboard
Computer Hardware Servicing

Motherboard
P/ EBAJAO

The MOTHERBOARD
It is the most important component in
computer system. It is the backbone
that supports all the other computer
components.

The trend towards further integration is

continuing, this means more and more
components are bundled into the
motherboard.

1. I/O Ports

Motherboard
Components

This is located in the back panel of the

microprocessor that is used to conjoin
the outside hardware or computer
devices.

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DB 9 Male connector

DB 25 Female
connector

oDB 25 Female connector, popularly

known as the printer port, connects the
impact printer such as DOT MATRIX
printers.

oDB 9 male connector (Serial or com1

port) connects a serial device of the
computer, like the serial mouse and
external modem.

oAudio Port connects sound devices

such as the speaker, microphone and
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital
Interface)

DB 9 Male connector
DB 25 Female
connector

DB 9 Male connector
DB 25 Female
connector

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oLAN (Local Area Network) port links

computer nodes or workstations with
the aid of communication media such
as the network switch and router.

DB 9 Male connector

DB 25 Female
connector

oP/S ports connect the mouse (green

color) and keyboard (purple color).
DB 9 Male connector
DB 25 Female
connector

oUSB (Universal Serial Bus) 2.0 these

ports are becoming the industry
standard in connecting external
devices.

DB 9 Male connector
DB 25 Female
connector

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oVGA (Video Graphics Array) port

(built-in) serves as an interface of the
monitor screen to the other members
of the computer system.

DB 9 Male connector

DB 25 Female
connector

2. ATX Power Connector (4 pin)

This is for the 4 pin of the Power Supply
Unit (PSU) connection. This is separate of
the 20 or 24 pin of ATX power supply to
provide DC voltage of computer
processor.

3. Processors ZIF (Zero Insertion

Force) Socket
Handles the processor or CPU chip. The
compatibility of the socket depends on
the computer processor type such as
AM2 socket of the AMD and socket 775
of the Intel Company.

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4. Memory Slot (DIMM)

This is Dual Inline Memory Module, this is
the slot of computer memory or what
we called RAM.

5. ATX Power connector (24 or 28

pin)
A group of connector that provides a
DC power output to the system board
(SB) from the output of the Power Supply
Unit.

6. CMOS (Complimentary Metal

Oxide Semiconductor)/ BIOS Battery
The CMOS/BIOS Battery is placed to
afford a 3 volts direct current/voltage to
the CMOS IC so that it can preserve the
BIOS settings.

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7. IDE (Integrated Drive

Electronics)
Serves as a connector of IDE cable of
the HDD or CD/ DVD ROM drive to the
Motherboard IDE.

8. Front Panel Connector (F-Panel)

Attach the Power
LED, HDD LED,
Power Switch, and
Reset Switch.

The best way to attached your motherboard front

panel connectors are to identify first the pins of
each connectors prior to its label.

and then.

9. SATA (Serial Advance Technology

Attachment) Connector
New standard of the IDE connection
array of the computer SATA hard Disk
Drives to the motherboard system.

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10. PCI Slots

Serves as a bridge of the I/O cards of
the computer, e.g. LAN Card, USB
expansion card and sound card.

11. PCI Express Slot

Part of the motherboard which holds
the computer video card

12. North Bridge IC

Technically known as MCH or Memory
Controller Hub; manages and controls
the computer memory before the
processing of the CPU Chip.

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13. South Bridge IC

Also known as I/O Controller Hub (ICH).
It is a microchip that controls all the
input and output devices such as the
keyboard and mouse, and the monitor
screen of the computer.

Reference
PC ASSEMBLY AND TROUBLESHOOTING
(Computer Hardware)
iBOOK IT Courseware Series
P. 36-42