Last time I played a game (last week) everything booted fine, but for sometime there has occasionally been an absence of sound upon initial start up of the machine, even though everything was switched on. I would initially check the sound options (which were always on), then the sound would be working upon exiting the motherboard options/test menu.
The fault is the same with all games, which suggests the games are fine.
I have disconnected the mother board and reconnected it - fault still present. I have wiggled the wires - no change to display. I gave the game/motherboard combo a heavy handed tap - which appeared to react with the flickers on screen.
I'm thinking a faulty motherboard? If so, is there a fix? Because it's my only one

Thanks for looking.