SUPER IO | SIO | Embedded Controller | EC
On the motherboard of a notebook you will find several ICs (Integrated Circuits), the biggest one is the Super I/O. It is the IC responsible for communicating (via pulses) with all sources on the board, enabling, resetting and sending information, for virtually every motherboard.
The operating configurations of this component may change according to its datasheet.
This means that when exchanging a Super I/O one should always use another of the same model.
There is a compatibility table that can be used in cases of emergency, however for those who are starting; the best option is to replace with another one so there is no doubt.
Super IO works with voltage pulses on its terminals that may be High Level (3V) or Low Level (0 Voltage).
For you to understand, imagine that some motherboard components need to receive information to work in sequence, Super IO works by sending this information.
Well known Brands (SMSC, NUVOTON, ITE, ENE).
Super IO test. Super IO has 128 terminals emitting and receiving pulses to communicate with the rest of the motherboard.
For this reason the testing of this component is a little more complex and maybe time consuming, because you will need to understand the pulses that are emitted and received by it, and that it requires time for study and practice. Basically this component has 2 types of defects, which are: shorting out (usually it gets hot, the diagnosis is easy) and some terminals failing, causing no important pulse
to be emitted for the motherboard to function.
