What Is The Function Of A Motherboard

[gilliflower]

My computer failed recently and according to the guy who is repairing it the problem may be in the motherboard. I am really stressed because I have a great deal of important information on the hard drive, including my precious iTunes library. Can anyone reassure me that I won't lose everything if the problem is in the motherboard. Thanks, gilliglower

[Buenchico]

The motherboard is the working part of a computer, together with the processor that's mounted on it. Everything else is effectively an 'add-on', including the hard drive that contains the operating system (Windows) and your data (such as your documents, pictures and iTunes library).

If the very worst happens, and the technician says that your computer is beyond economic repair (through a motherboard fault) all that he'll have to do will be to remove the hard drive (which takes a minute or two at the most), connect it up to another computer (dead easy) and 'take ownership' of it (a few quick key clicks).

The other computer (which might, for example, be the new one that he's just sold you) will then be able to access the data on the old hard drive in exactly the same way as if you'd plugged a USB memory stick into it. (i.e. the data could be copied to wherever you want, including onto the hard drive of the new computer).

[Old_Geezer]

As Chris basically says. The motherboard *is* the PC. All components are either soldered onto it or plugged into it. But that isn't where you store your data. That'll be on your drives which should be connectable to your new (or less likely, your repaired) PC.

[gilliflower]

Thanks so much Buenchico. Bless you. I feel reassured. Gillyflower

[bhg481]

But you do back-up your data regularly , don't you? Only Silly Billys keep their data in just a single place. If you haven't been doing backups now's the time to start. Take this incident as a warning; next time it could be your hard disc that fails and then you will lose everything that's not duplicated somewhere.

[derekpara]

Thanks for reassuring me.

TS x