My computer died

[EdStevens]

it won't start. I took it to two different computer repair people. They both said that it's the motherboard.

[Dragon-Fur]

@EdStevens 

Welcome to the HP Community --

Dragon Opinion

I am sorry your computer died.

Two separate hardware techs saying the same thing is generally enough to decide on next steps.

You could try a third tech, if you want....

Unless you can find a certified tech qualified to repair the board, another other option is to replace it.

True - the motherboard is the singular most expensive part in the computer.

Replacing -- or repairing -- the board is a choice you can make based on how much it will cost compared to the cost of the whole computer.  Personal choice.

Replacing the board can be fraught with risk --

For example,

Changing the board changes the serial number on the board -- Handled incorrectly, getting your system to work again can be a challenge.  Be sure any tech you let loose on your system understands, can explain, and can do  what is needful to repair the computer and get it working again.

Do you have backups of your files?

Extracting the data from the drive is generally only necessary if you do not have backups of your files.  

We all know we need to make and keep regular backups...

"What if"?

Ask whether your data can be saved -- a bad board does not usually destroy the data so you can ask that your account files be extracted and saved for later use.  

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