First blog entry, anywhere, ever...and what's on my mind...?

My computer's slowly dying. It's having some motherboard issues. I don't want to get another computer. I like this one. I don't want to buy a new motherboard. I don't know if I can replace it myself or not. What do I use until I figure it out? How do I check online for trouble-shooting help while I'm connecting cables and screwing in screws? How long will this baby last? Or maybe I'll get lucky and just cleaning out the fan will have cured the problem?