How can you test/diagnose a motherboard from DOS?

I have a computer that is having issues rebooting and will not stay in Windows very long at all. I have basically one by one eliminated everything else and feel it is the motherboard. Is there a way to test the motherboard from DOS or Live CD?

I dont know about Live CD tools, Did you try Memtest for RAM? and you can also use AIDA64.
Are you sure its not the power supply ?

onin said:

I dont know about Live CD tools, Did you try Memtest for RAM? and you can also use AIDA64.
Are you sure its not the power supply ?

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Tried Memtest already...not problems there. And yes, I tested the PSU first thing...checked it with a PSU tester I have and then I also completely removed it and tried another good PSU in this computer. I really have swapped out every other component in this computer except the motherboard and the reboots continue. I'm about 99% sure it is the board, just wondered if there was some sure fire way I could prove it

Thought maybe there was something similar to Memtest for motherboards...lol! Guess not.

If AIDA64 is a Windows based program then it will not work...can't keep it in Windows long enough to install/run it. Thus, why I wondered if there was some program that would do it from boot/DOS.

What would you use as a motherboard specific test though even in windows?

You could give a look at the utilities on Ultimate Boot CD.

limitedaccess said:

What would you use as a motherboard specific test though even in windows?

You could give a look at the utilities on Ultimate Boot CD.

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Good question. Yeah, I have Ultimate Boot CD and about all the others, but don't really remember any doing any kind of a motherboard test.

Just replace it; it's the cheapest solution.

Is the board on the latest bios

playah said:

Is the board on the latest bios

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I'm not certain...but with it being so erratic and rebooting, even before it tries to get into windows, I would be afraid to try to update the BIOS...may totally fry it...which it is basically already useless anyway.

You say it's unstable in Windows, what about when you are in the bios, does it still act flaky ?(rebooting)
What exact board is it ?
If you can't get it working what do you have to lose ?
There could be a bios update that covers more ram and cpu's
It's harder to diagnose with out all the info or specs

Try disabling everything you but the absolute necesary

Things like usb ports, serial, paralel, sound, ethernet and unused ide/sata ports.

Stoly said:

Try disabling everything you but the absolute necesary

Things like usb ports, serial, paralel, sound, ethernet and unused ide/sata ports.

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Yup good one, had a DFI 939 that would not want to boot into the OS, very stable while in bios, so did like Stoly suggested and found the USB was bad, when disabled would run fine, added some usb card to it and kept on benching with it.