Your computer
's chipset refers to a collection of chips all located on its motherboard. You may need to know your computer's chipset to do certain firmware upgrades or to locate drivers for it if you don't have your motherboard's original installation software. If your chipset isn't documented on your invoice or in your manual, you will need to open the computer to determine the chipset.
Instructions
1. Set your computer on a good working surface. It should be clean and dry. If possible, when standing or kneeling at the work surface, you should not be on carpet.
2. Open the computer. Many modern computers can be opened simply by pushing a catch or two and sliding the side panel off. If you can't find the catches, check your manual, as this will vary from computer to computer.
3. Try using a screwdriver. Most older computers and some modern ones must be opened with a screwdriver. Look at the back of your computer. Place the side containing your keyboard, mouse, video and printer connectors down on your work surface. Remove the two or three screws fastening the panel on the top and put them carefully aside. With your hand on the back of the computer, slide the panel on top toward you a half inch or until it releases. Lift the top panel away and set it aside.
4. Touch any unpainted metal piece of the computer to ground yourself. You should ground yourself every 30 seconds or so when working with an opened computer. Your motherboard is the large board with a multitude of chips mounted on the computer's remaining side or bottom panel. Find the largest chips on the motherboard. You may need to move some internal components, temporarily, in order to see the chips. As the internal configuration of different computers varies greatly, you should consult your manual for instructions on removing any particular component that's in your way.
5. Record the letters and numbers on the largest several chips of the motherboard. These are usually model or part numbers. The model or part numbers on some chips will be identical; you only need to record each number once. Replace any components you've moved and close the computer when you're finished.
6. Do an online search for the different model or part numbers. The results will tell you what the component in question is. You may need to try more than one model or part number before you get a result that tells you what chipset the component is part of. Write the chipset down.
Tags: model part, model part numbers, part numbers, your computer, your manual, chips motherboard