A jumper is a conductor on the motherboard that closes an electrical circuit. Jumper blocks are made up of a set of pins; a jumper, or jumper plug, is placed over the pins to bridge an electrical connection between the pins. Connecting a jumper to a set of pins on a block can reset a hardware configuration or change system behavior. Motherboards often label the jumper blocks to designate what each block does.
Instructions
1. Check the documentation included with the motherboard to see the jumper blocks on the motherboard. If the motherboard did not come with a manual, go to the motherboard manufacturer's website and look up the product model to find a link to the manual.
2. Turn off the computer. Remove the power cord from the wall outlet and from the back of the computer. Press the power button to drain the PC of electrical charge.
3. Remove the computer cover. Set the computer on its side so that the connections on the motherboard face up.
4. Shine a flashlight into the motherboard. Check the surface of the motherboard for the appropriate jumper block.
5. Use a pair of tweezers to connect the jumper to the appropriate set of pins. If you're resetting the system configuration, place the jumper on the first and second set of pins, then remove the jumper after 10 seconds.
6. Reassemble the computer after connecting the jumper plug to the motherboard.
Tags: jumper plug