I need to replace the motherboard in my HP Pavilion desktop. I plan to use a replacement board from HP to avoid any unnecessary problems. However, I do not know what problems to expect in removing the Pentium 4 and installing it on the new board. Can anyone please give some advice on the procedure and what problems might arise? Thank you.
Well, it is really straightforward, especially on an HP or Compaq, or Dell, etc. They should only have 1 screw holding them in. So basically, touch a metal part of your case to discharge any static electrcity Then remove all cables, and expansion cards from the board. Now unscrew that lonely little screw. It should be located in the middle of the board. Slide the whole motherboard to the right or left, probably the right. Now remove the processor fan and pull off the HSF assembly. Pull up on the little lever beside the processor socket. Make sure not to damage the pins when you pull out the precessor.Then move the spacers from the old motherboard to the new one. Once you've done that do the same thing in reverse. Replace the motherboard back into the case and plug all your stuff back in and you'll be good to go. Good luck! :good:
Thanks MAX and Exfoliate. I hope it turns out to be as easy as it sounds. Of course I'm sort of a beginner at this, so I'm a little concerned about fouling things up from lack of knowledge and experience. Thanks again.
This is the place to come if you need any help at all, a quick double check is just fine, you can post pics if you're not sure you configured something right too
I'm still waiting for the new motherboard to be delivered. I'm happy to know that further help is available if I need it. Thanks much.
HP Pavilion a250n Pentium 4, 2.6 GHz, 512 Meg Ram, 120 GB DMA drive, nVidia GeForce MX440. Motherboad/Bios is ASUS/Award. It looks like the motherboard is fastened with at least 3 screws (I haven't started to remove cables, etc., so do not have a clear view yet). I figured I would wait for the new one to come and see if it has anything smart to say about installation, which would give me clues about removal.
Yea pretty good idea. Well I stripped a Compaq all the way to the case and it only had one screw. Figured they would be similar seeing as how they're the same company.
My major worry is about removing and replacing the CPU. Should I remove it before or after taking out the board? How about installing it -- put it on the board first or after fastening down the motherboard? Will I have trouble removing the fan/heat sink? I apologize for the simple questions, but I have never attempted anything like this before.
Oh no, its fine. But when I'm taking apart a computer, I leave the HSF and CPU in until I get it out. And then I put it on the new motherboard and install it with the HSF/CPU in. It can be very hard or impossible to put the HSF in or take it out while it is in the computer. As far as trouble removing the heatsink, you shouldn't. Different HSF assemblys have different methoeds of mounting. Mine uses screws which makes it quite difficult to work with. But fortunately most HSF assemblys (smaller than mine) use clips to fasten down, making them easy install/uninstall.
its a good idea to remove the motherboard to take out the cpu and HSF. it should be easy, just remove the HSF by taking out the fan screws and maybe releasing any handles on the sides, and pull back on the silver handle to release the old cpu which you want to replace its a good idea to fasten the cpu onto the motherboard by placing it in correctly and pushing the latch back in place to lock it in place before installing it in the case, after you install it in the case apply the HS and Fan
Well it depends in ll cases, on my HSF you have no other option from installing it before you install the motherboard, you have to be able to access the back of the mobo to install it.
