Snapped PCI clip now PC won't boot

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I was taking my graphics card out to clean and it got halfway stuck in the PCI-E slot, so I pushed down on the plastic retention clip with a flathead screwdriver and basically applied a bit too much pressure and it snapped. Ok (so I thought) no big deal as I figured as long as the graphics card is securely screwed in it should be ok without it. However when I'd cleaned the GPU and reinserted it my PC will not boot at all. It's a new motherboard and I've only had it a few weeks and its been fine up until now. I can see the lights on the board are on, so I'm not sure if I've broke it, is there any way to know for sure without an RMA? I've tested another GPU and no joy.
 
if the gpus work in another system then you have buggered the motherboard. if you have pushed the clip that hard and cracked the plastic the likelihood is that the screwdriver has damaged the board, at close inspection you might see marks on the surface, if none visible with being multilayer pcbs then probably unseen internal damage to one of the layers
 
if the gpus work in another system then you have buggered the motherboard. if you have pushed the clip that hard and cracked the plastic the likelihood is that the screwdriver has damaged the board, at close inspection you might see marks on the surface, if none visible with being multilayer pcbs then probably unseen internal damage to one of the layers
Thanks for reply, unfortunately I just spotted a cap nearby the PCI slot that has been slightly dislodged LOL
 
I took a pic of the area I think is the problem

Zthre0zGcS.jpg


Would it be possible to move it back or is it knackered?
 
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I've not soldered anything! ;) Would a PC repair shop handle this sort of thing or is more of a specialist job? I don't really know anyone personally unfortunately...

A repair shop should be able to resolder that no problem, just make sure you check reviews before using one.

Assuming you can find one open anyway.
 
Why on earth are you using a screwdriver on a PCIe clip??

The gpu was completely stuck pressing it with my thumb didn't work.

A repair shop should be able to resolder that no problem, just make sure you check reviews before using one.

Assuming you can find one open anyway.
Thanks I might have a go myself as you say it might be a long wait.
 
Is the Cap loose on the board?

Would not have thought hitting it with a screwdriver would just move it. Could have been soldered wrong in the first place.

If this is the case you could try RMA, but it will probably be declined due to the retention clip. Asus might offer to repair it for a fee.
 
That looks like a transistor not a capacitor (three legs you see, collector, emitter, base)

You need someone with a hot-air rework station to fix that. Should be easily doable though, I've fixed more complex than that.
 
Is the Cap loose on the board?

Would not have thought hitting it with a screwdriver would just move it. Could have been soldered wrong in the first place.

If this is the case you could try RMA, but it will probably be declined due to the retention clip. Asus might offer to repair it for a fee.
It is loose yeah, thing is I'm not even sure I moved it now TBH. Especially since all the others look to be intact on the left - therefore leaving me completely bamboozled as to the cause of this.

Either way I've managed to reattach the PCIe slot clip as it apparently didn't actually snap off, will try RMA. Out of interest how much would Asus charge for a repair like this?
 
That's not a cap, it's a MOSFET and will definitely be causing your problem. RMA won't be accepted as it's physical damage.

Needs resoldering as others have said
 
That's not a cap, it's a MOSFET and will definitely be causing your problem. RMA won't be accepted as it's physical damage.

Needs resoldering as others have said

I feared as much. Looks as though I'll just have to buy a new board as that goes beyond my skill set when it comes to this sort of thing.
 
I feared as much. Looks as though I'll just have to buy a new board as that goes beyond my skill set when it comes to this sort of thing.
If your gonna buy a new board anyway, buy a soldering iron and have a go fixing it, bet there are loads of you tubes vids on soldering mosfets, crack on
 
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