It can be difficult to tell if your motherboard is dying, but there are some warning signs you should look out for. If your computer fails to boot, this could be a sign that your motherboard is faulty. Other symptoms include random shutdowns, overheating, strange noises coming from the computer, burning smell from the motherboard, hardware not being recognized and blue screens of death. To check if a motherboard is dead, you can perform a visual inspection to look for any physical damage or signs of overheating. You can also check that all components are snugly in place and look for obvious damage to the motherboard and its components. Additionally, you should check circuits and resisters for bubbles or burns as these could indicate a problem with the motherboard.