Replacing Motherboard

My E6500 is having the motherboard replaced later today. Is there anything I should be aware of or that I should check out once it's done? I'm really worried something is going to go wrong . All because of a stupid stuck DisplayPort plug.

 

I'd say just check that stuff is working normally. Try your sound, webcam, microphone, etc. And check your temperatures and compare to before the replacement (small differences of 5ºC or so are normal).

 

Yeah, I'm worried about the temperatures if they have to remove the processor and put it in the new motherboard. I've read that once you remove the thermal paste and reapply it, it'll never be the same as the first placement.

 

That is correct. But, if there is anything, ask for a new heatsink replacement (you will have new thermals pads).

Make sure that the technician ensures that all the small connectors are well inserted. Sometimes they can look well inserted but it's not the case, and some device might not work.

If you did change the SATA mode (ie: from IRRT to AHCI) don't forget to set it back on the motherboard as it might not boot into Windows (Blue Screen).
Also, execute Dell diagnostic tool to make sure that everything in your system is working well (F12 at Dell boot logo > Diagnostic)

 

make sure your USB slots are working!!

 

I wouldn;t worry about the thermal paste. The thermal paste if applied properly should not be any different.

In fact a lot of people open their laptop up to remove the stock thermal paste and put Arctic Silver to reduce temps. Reapplication of thermal paste is not any worse then the originaL application.

 

comp_user you are only correct, if teh termals past is:
- New (old dries up, and loses it's ability to take a nice shape to cover properly the CPU surface). "old" thermal means like 1-2 weeks old at best.
- Thermal past is has no large dust particles (ie: that you can see with your sharp eyes).
- Not damaged upon removal.

My experience suggest that if the above is not followed, then you can have an increase of 5C, and I even had overheating systems (thermal paste had a air bubble as it turns a tad too solid as it was "old" (a month in use))

 

Sometimes, replacing your motherboard will screw with your windows installation. But not always. I swapped my Asus P5KE with another P5KE. Vista made me reactivate. Go figure.

 

No sorry, something else changed.
Keyboard is a USB device and Vista and Win7 don't look at USB devices.

UNLESS, ASUS like to not hire engineers. Therefore, instead of making a nice USB keyboard that cost much less, they decided to make it as a hardware level device and not a peripheral.

Then again.. it's ASUS... The only thing that they make that is good is their Xonar Sound Card. The rest is of terrible quality and engineering despite it's premium price. They used to be the best brand in quality, reliability, and engineering. However, since 2005 they let all that go. Even their service for motherboards (their flagship product) is a joke. I find Creative provide a better service than them... so that tells you something.

I used to be an ASUS fan. All my old systems where all powered by an ASUS motherboard. Now I, friend, and many computer enthusiasts on other forums, hate them. I just find that very shameful :/

 

to goodbytes: what makes you think the new heatsink is going to have thermal paste which is not 1-2 weeks old. Considering most parts are made in Asia and shipping takes a while, don;t you think it will easily be more then 2 weeks between the new heat-sink date and installation date.