How to test a new CPU/Motherboard

[fwtong]

I just got in on Fry's recent Retail XP1800+ and ECS motherboard deal, and I was wondering how I could test the CPU and motherboard to make sure that it works. I'm not going to have enough time the next two weeks to work with it, but I'd like to make sure that it works before the 15 day return period is up.

 

[Assimilator1]

Simple ,you need to at least partially build the machine! (I don't get why your asking really ).
You want at least the CPU,HSF,RAM ,PSU,Vid card,& a HDD with the OS on it,then you can run benchmarks etc to test it

 

[fwtong]

I just wanted to know the minimum amount of work that I needed to do to see if the new cpu and motherboard would work. I'm kind of apprehensive about starting it up with an OS, because I don't want windows to start detecting all the new hardware, when I'm still going to use the old cpu and motherboard for the next 2 weeks.

Originally posted by: Assimilator1
Simple ,you need to at least partially build the machine! (I don't get why your asking really ).
You want at least the CPU,HSF,RAM ,PSU,Vid card,& a HDD with the OS on it,then you can run benchmarks etc to test it

 

[Zar1]

Why don't you boot into DOS, or put your bootable Windows CD in there and cancel the install process. Or, you can just press the BIOS setup button on boot to avoid loading the OS. Just be creative.

Other than that, I don't see how you can test a motherboard short of plugging things into it to see if they work. Even all of the voltage and temp indicators require something to put a current through, namely a processor or a peripheral like a HDD, right?

 

[smashp]

Set the MB on a static mat and hook up a power supply, a dimm, cpu, and video card. trip the power switch and see if you get bios post.


When AMD's fail, they 85% time dont even post.

 

[Assimilator1]

Originally posted by: fwtong
I just wanted to know the minimum amount of work that I needed to do to see if the new cpu and motherboard would work. I'm kind of apprehensive about starting it up with an OS, because I don't want windows to start detecting all the new hardware, when I'm still going to use the old cpu and motherboard for the next 2 weeks.

Well,as said, you could just get to POST or bootup on a 'Win 9x startup' floppy ,this will at least let you know that your hardware is working to some degree ,though you can't be certain (especially about the mbrd) until you have an OS installed & your making the PC work hard.