Scratched Mobo

[Arcuivie]

Well it appears I've finally done it, I damaged a comp part (GOSH D@NMIT). Anyway, I opened up my case and started to take the parts out so I could re-seat the heatsink, everything going good, no bumps or bruises (although I did spill a whole bottle of rubbing alcohol).

Then after all of it was out I proceeded to unmount the motherboard, I noticed one of the screws were striped, so, I got a wrench out and started to undo it, apparently it was screwed in sideways and I couldn't get a good angle on it, yet the whole mobo just popped out, and I noticed I pulled out the brass standoff off of the motherboard tray.

I go outside and get a pair of pliers to get the two undone, I hold the screw with the bug pliers while I proceeded to undo the brass standoff, well I wasn't paying attention and I heard a suck scratching noise, and my stomach jumped up into my through, I looked on the other side and there was this huge scratch I made, about a quarter of an inch in length, half or a quarter centimeter wide, don't know how deep.

Anyway, my heart raced about 90 fookin miles an hour while I was putting it all back in (oh, I successfully reseated the heatsink, it was stepped up a little, though when I got back into the comp it didn't make a difference in the temp, heh, go figure). Anyway I crossed my fingers and pressed the power button, IT WORKS! Go into the bios and reset my CPU speed and what not, then I exit out of there and reset, then the monitor shows up with this error saying (cable unplugged).

For the next hour or so I fight with the gfx card and such, blah blah blah, got it working, YAY! (I'm talking to much about it).

Anyway, what I want to know is do you think this scratch is such a big deal after all? I mean, will it harm anything in the long run or should I just not worry about it an go on with my life (before I fork up 126 dollars for a new mobo).

[Buzioid]

Can you supply a picture of this "scratch"?

[Arcuivie]

Lol, no, not after what happened, the only way I'm gonna take that thing apart is when I get either a new case or whatever. But it was located south of the end of the ram slots (not very far, its around the screwhole there on the backside). It starts in the middle of this brown square shape thing and ends at a piece of metal that is sticking out of the mobo.

[daveleau]

If it cut any electrical runs in the board, you will have problems of varying degrees. The board around those screw holes is usually devoid of many electrical traces to avoid problems. It depends on where the scratch is, how deep it is and what trace (if any) is there. The fact that it booted, and you are getting no significant errors leads me to believe you are one lucky person.

Sometimes you can scratch the board and it just cuts the photstatic coating and not the trace itself.

[JPMiller]

The only thing you would have to worry about is if it cut the connection of one of the "traces" (the thin wire lines that run along the surface of the board) ...if any metal is showing through the boards protective PCB seal then you might want to seal it with something like nail polish or something along that line...
Someone else may have a better idea but that is what I've heard others say they did to protect uncovered traces in a pinch.

[wapazoid]

Good lord...

I was in the process of removing the standard P4 retention bracket from a new Intel D865Perl in order to replace it with an alternate Fan/Heat Sink combo from PC Power & Cooling http://www.pcpowercooling.com/produc...478L_index.htm I was using a flathead screwdriver to push the white plastic pins through the back of the motherboard. Three out of four were successfully pushed through. And just when I thought I was in the clear, I slipped. The amount of pressure I was exerting resulted in a scratch approximately 2 inches in length. The scratch is located streaking across the back of the motherboard in proximity of the CPU, and runs over multiple traces. I cannot determine if a breach has ocurred beyond the board's coating (no "visible" signs), but I've got this sinking feeling... And now, I'm going to crack open a beer, sit in front of the tube and have a good cry. After that, I'm going to finish assembling, and hope for the best. Just thought I'd share this wonderful experience.

[wapazoid]

Well, all seems to be in working order. I didn't sleep all too well last night, though.

[thronka]

They have tracer pins you can use to put them back. The problem is knowing what goes where. :P