First Build Mobo Install Questions (More to Come... Probably)

S

setoutrunning

New Member
I've stuck this in the Desktop section because I'll probably have a million more (non-motherboard) questions in the coming days.

This has been asked a million times over -- I know because I've read the threads -- and I hate being "that person," but I'll feel much better getting an answer regarding my specific hardware. I'm currently in the process of building my first desktop; I'm just waiting for my RAM to arrive so I can power on and see if I've killed something along the way. To minimize that chance, I wanted to verify the whole motherboard risers + washers issue.

My case came equipped with built-in standoffs; while I can't be sure, they appear to be the same material (steel) as the rest of the case. I have an Asus M2N68-am Plus motherboard, which did not come with felt/fiber washers. Most of what I've read has advised against washers for motherboards with metal rings around the screw holes. The holes on my motherboard are surrounded by small, raised silver dots -- something like this: http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/asus_m2n_e.jpg -- which is just ambiguous enough to make me uncertain. In short: Do I need washers between the standoffs and motherboard and/or motherboard and screws?

Thanks in advance. Sorry again about the question, though I guess it's best to be certain about things like computers (especially as gifts!).
 
I have built and worked on more computers than I can count on my fingers and toes...no washers are needed. I have never even seen washers used for this purpose. It will be just fine.
 
I've just built a new system with an Asus motherboard (no felt/fiber washers either). I simply used the brass standoffs that came with the case and screwed the motherboard to those standoffs without washers. It fired up the first time.

I have never heard of a case coming with pre-installed standoffs. I certainly would want to make sure they are non-conductive; I can't see a case manufacture doing otherwise unless they are really cheap in quality and then they wouldn't be in business.. What make and model is your case?
 
To be honest, the case is pretty cheap, both in quality and cost -- http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6430028&CatId=3428

The built-in mechanism isn't so much a standoff, per se, as just a raised screw mount in the casing. The height does properly align the motherboard with the I/O panel opening, though, so adding additional non-conductive standoffs isn't really an option. (Hence, the washer question.)

And thanks to both of you for the speedy replies.
 
Plenty of cases have built in standoffs...

Those little silver bumps around the screw holes are actually points where the mobo grounds itself to the case. You wouldn't want to get in the way of that. :/
 
Thanks, Drenlin; that's what I was thinking, but wanted to be sure. I guess I'll dig around -- it's hard to keep wires organized in such a small space! -- tomorrow and take out those washers.

Thanks again, all.
 
The only time you need to use the washers are on holes with no grounding strip around them.




As far as the motherboard trays with built in risers, just make sure if there is a riser where there is no hole on the board, use something like electrical tape to cover it. Or it will ground out against the bottom of the board.
 
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Another question (equally beginner-y): When trying to install my RAM, I can't get the latches at the edges of the slots to lock back into place. They don't snap back up themselves, nor am I able to get the memory in far enough to get the latches to clip if I push them back up myself. I'm worried about putting too much pressure on the modules or motherboard... suggestions? I'm thinking this problem is probably the source of the 1 long beep + 2 short beeps I'm getting.
 
After you have them over the slots evenly, apply a good bit of force to lock it in. Lift up the endpiece first and it should go in correctly. Just make sure you are putting it in straight and not crooked before applying force, and have grounded yourself.
 
Do you have it in the slot the right way?

There's a notch in the RAM stick that fits over a little bump in the slot.
 
Of course it went in (relatively) smoothly as soon as I posted the question; I wasn't applying enough force, it seems. But now the thing's up and running, so all is well.

Thanks again.
 
Haha, it happens. Everybody runs into something dumb like that during the build. I remember when I first did my cable management, it took me a good ten minutes to figure out how to get the rear panel on, after I spent a good 45 minutes arranging them. Practice goes a long way I guess...my little brother and I had his cables done in under 10 minutes, with me taking time to tech him about parts of it.

Glad you've got it running, congrats man :)
 
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