faulty psu's or faulty mobos

darael · 20 Feb 2014 at 15:18

kenny2014 said:
@darael, yeah i think i have missed it but i have checked all the standoffs and their position and they all seemed fine, if they can short the motherboard why are we advised to use them? And can you buy plastic ones because they wouldn't short the mobo should they?

Often, motherboard trays allow you to place a lot of standoffs all over the motherboard, but you don't need them all. The problem is, is that it's quite easy to put some standoffs in the wrong location and not realise until later. These brass standoffs in the wrong location can cause a short.

As a rule, I count how many brass standoffs I put in the motherbaord tray, then count how many screws I put in. Then I check the screws are secure - this makes sure the screws are actually in a standoff.

The next time you get a motherboard, test it on plain cardboard first. Then you can rule out whether or not the installation into the case is causing the problem or not.

kenny2014 · 20 Feb 2014 at 15:31

@thareaperguy, yeah i have tried every combo and nothing so i think they are dead (i've never had any luck

) hopefully when i pick my new stuff up it should be sorted

kenny2014 · 20 Feb 2014 at 15:36

@darael, yeah i checked how many standoffs i needed and only put the correct amount on the tray, so unless i missed 1, its a complete mystery to me. Yip i with definitely testing it out first

so would the plastic standoffs be ok because if it will reduce the chance of the mobo shorting then I'll get some of them.

darael · 20 Feb 2014 at 16:59

kenny2014 said:
@darael, yeah i checked how many standoffs i needed and only put the correct amount on the tray, so unless i missed 1, its a complete mystery to me. Yip i with definitely testing it out first so would the plastic standoffs be ok because if it will reduce the chance of the mobo shorting then I'll get some of them.

Myself, I wouldn't use plastic standoffs unless you need to support your motherboard in a place where you're not able to install brass standoffs in your case.

kenny2014 · 21 Feb 2014 at 05:17

Right no problem, i just stick to the brass standoffs.. I found an old motherboard (20pin) my cupboard, so i tested it, i put it on a piece of card, plugged the psu in and the cpu fan came on, so then i put it into the case and then nothing, i double checked all the standoffs and only put in what i needed, i then switched it on and nothing so im wondering if it is my case as like i said the cpu fan came on when on the cardboard bit once i installed it into my case nothing.

ExRayTed · 21 Feb 2014 at 15:27

Then the motherboard is shorting on the case somewhere.

kenny2014 · 21 Feb 2014 at 16:03

Yeah that's what i think but i haven't a clue what it shorting it?

ExRayTed · 21 Feb 2014 at 16:13

Previously you stated that you tried the other motherboards and power supplies outside of the case and the symptoms persisted. If this is true then whatever is shorting the motherboard has probably done permanent damage to it. It can be frustrating finding the issue but I'd be emptying the case altogether, giving it a good clean in the process and having a good look to see if anything is bent or twisted and laying foul of the area the motherboard is mounted in. Then go for a rebuild and see.

Or you can bite the bullet and get a new case.

kenny2014 · 21 Feb 2014 at 19:07

I think im going to bite the bullet and buy and new case and mobo, i have been offers a Intel quad core q6600 2.40ghz, 1tb hdd, 5g ram for £170, but i can get a AMD A6 6400k 3.9ghz, case, mobo and psu all for £150. So i just don't know which one to go for? Anybody got any suggestions?