If it makes it to the POST (Power-ON Self Test; before the windows/mac boot logo) screen, you're pretty close to golden. You could run a memory diagnostic (such as memtest86+) and/or prime95 in stress testing mode to see if the system is stable.
If the MOBO is bad, the computer, at the most, will sit at a blank screen (never getting to POST). 98% of the time it won't even turn on. Some have diagnostic beeps when booting to POST. If the computer originally had 1 short beep when turned on (when it was working), it may produce multiple short or long beeps. If it never beeped to begin with just disregard this.
The other alternative is manufacturer utilities. The computer or motherboard maker usually has a set of utilities to test the hardware. You'd be able to find it at their website in the support section.
There's a link at the bottom for more information about the POST operation.
Answers & Comments
If it makes it to the POST (Power-ON Self Test; before the windows/mac boot logo) screen, you're pretty close to golden. You could run a memory diagnostic (such as memtest86+) and/or prime95 in stress testing mode to see if the system is stable.
If the MOBO is bad, the computer, at the most, will sit at a blank screen (never getting to POST). 98% of the time it won't even turn on. Some have diagnostic beeps when booting to POST. If the computer originally had 1 short beep when turned on (when it was working), it may produce multiple short or long beeps. If it never beeped to begin with just disregard this.
The other alternative is manufacturer utilities. The computer or motherboard maker usually has a set of utilities to test the hardware. You'd be able to find it at their website in the support section.
There's a link at the bottom for more information about the POST operation.
Power on self test