(Important make sure you read through this guide before you begin installation of your new motherboard.)
The motherboard is the largest and one of the most important components of your computer. Its reliability and health is utmost important.
Once you have picked out and purchased your motherboard you are ready for installation.
Carefully remove the motherboard from the box, do not remove it out of the ESD (electro static discharge) bag. Do a quick inventory to make sure you have all of your parts. Most likely you should have all of you IDE cables for the hard drive and cdrom, and possibly I/O plate. If you purchased a motherboard that support ATA hard drives you should have those cables.
Once you have verified that you have all the parts, pick up the user manual, and read through it, you dont have to read it from cover to cover but you want to familiarize yourself with the motherboard, in addition many motherboard manufactures will also include a quick installation guide so take a look at that also.
Now you are ready, your work area should be clean and static free. Put on your anti static wrist band, if you have one. A anti static wrist band...