I/O shield doesn't line up, what do I do?

Doctor McNinja · 20 Jul 2010 at 14:20

I've just built my first PC and everything went fine but I've just noticed that the ports on the mobo and the holes in the I/O shield aren't aligned properly (I know I noticed it a bit late).

I'm using and Antec 300 case and a ASUS M4A87TD EVO mobo. The case isn't bent or warped and neither is the mobo. I have installed all the standoffs properly and I haven't over or under tightened the screws on the motherboard. I've installed a graphics card which fits the motherboard perfectly and aligns with the slot at the back perfectly. My only problem is, the I/O shield doesn't align. What should I do? Do I contact ASUS and ask for a replacement, hoping it will fit? Do I remove the I/O shield?

Any advice will be welcome.

alex24 · 20 Jul 2010 at 14:22

It's probably an installation issue. I'd see if the motherboard tray is not straight or anything like that. Have you tried removing all the motherboard screws, lining it up, then tightening them back up?

mogwai · 20 Jul 2010 at 14:23

Which IO Sheild are you using? The one that came with the case, or the the one that came with the motherboard?

Doctor McNinja · 20 Jul 2010 at 14:36

It's not an issue of rotation... if you were to look at the PC when it's laying on it's side, the mobo is too low to align with the I/O holes but as I said the graphics card aligns perfectly so I'm as sure as I can be the the I/O shield is the problem.

I'm using the I/O shield that came with the motherboard as instructed by the tutorial in the hardware section and the motherboard manual.

sorn21 · 20 Jul 2010 at 14:39

They are usually quite a tight fit.
How unaligned are we talking here? Pictures?

Sunny Squash · 20 Jul 2010 at 14:40

put someone pics up

Doctor McNinja · 20 Jul 2010 at 14:43

It's about a 3 or 4mm difference, so by no means small. I'll post pics in a minute.

Doctor McNinja · 20 Jul 2010 at 15:02

Orcvader · 20 Jul 2010 at 15:13

Looks like the motherboard is drooping down... have you got all of the motherboard standoffs screwed in?

OLDPHART · 20 Jul 2010 at 15:14

Hi m8, if l have picked it up right you say they are to low to line up????

** You need longer stand offs ** you can get them in different lengths.

roger_37 · 20 Jul 2010 at 15:19

use longer stand off's that should work m8

Doctor McNinja · 20 Jul 2010 at 15:22

OLDPHART said:
Hi m8, if l have picked it up right you say they are to low to line up????

** You need longer stand offs ** you can get them in different lengths.

But then the graphics card won't line up... you see the problem. I'm almost sure that the I/O shield is improperly manufactured.

The graphics card lining up makes me think that the mobo is seated correctly and the standoffs are of the right length and number (six standoffs for the six indicated holes).

xBLiNG · 20 Jul 2010 at 15:30

Contact Asus, show them the pics and ask for a new IO plate and some longer standoffs. Then try both. I just finished my first build and the ports don't quite line up, but it's not that bad.

Doctor McNinja · 20 Jul 2010 at 15:31

xBLiNG said:
Contact Asus, show them the pics and ask for a new IO plate and some longer standoffs. Then try both.

Thanks, I'll try that.

AiiR · 20 Jul 2010 at 15:33

Sure I had this problem with mine, just make sure the motherboard is correctly fastened to the standoffs.

OLDPHART · 20 Jul 2010 at 15:54

Yes the graphics card will line up but with the mobo being low the graphics card will not be all the way home[in the pci-e slot] check it.

Did you get any felt washers with your stand offs, if so use them to pack the stand offs up.

Doctor McNinja · 20 Jul 2010 at 16:05

OLDPHART said:
Yes the graphics card will line up but with the mobo being low the graphics card will not be all the way home[in the pci-e slot] check it.

Did you get any felt washers with your stand offs, if so use them to pack the stand offs up.

I didn't get any washers with anything. I'll check the graphics card but I'm sure it's correctly inserted.

redeye_uk · 20 Jul 2010 at 16:06

Saw the thread title and thought you might have a Lian Li v1000z

I had same problem except mine was out to the 'right'. Ended up having to return the case. Seemed it was a common issue....

Doctor McNinja · 20 Jul 2010 at 16:22

I've contacted ASUS so I'm just waiting for their response. In the meantime I'll check the graphics card just to be sure.

Thanks for the help so far, I'm sure I'll need more at some point.

Doctor McNinja · 20 Jul 2010 at 20:17

I've just taken the PC apart (can't for the life of me remove the 20 mobo power cable). I placed three small metal washers under each standoff. Everything lined up pretty well appart from the PS/2 slots and the two USB slots that are on the left of the image I posted. I don't know what to do from here. Can any one point me in the right direction, please?

[EDIT] I checked the case was flat by using a metal ruler. It's perfectly flat. It can only be two things, 1. the mobo is warped upwards on the top left corner or 2. the I/O shields holes are improperly spaced.