I was putting a sound card and fan controller into my pci slots in the back of my computer when I found that I lost a screw. It wasn't on the floor or in the area where I was working. I then shook my computer around a little but I didn't hear anything and nothing fell out. I examined all the hardware and I couldn't find the screw. Is there a chance that the screw is lodged somewhere in my computer where I can't see it? Are there any dire consequences that may result? Lol, I'm hella nervous because I know screws just don't disappear but I REALLY cannot find this one.
Chance a single screw will mess up a computer?
- Thread starter Loki1
- Start date
don't worry about the screw messing up anything in your system. If you're worried about shorting your video card or something on your motherboard, that won't happen. All the PCB's in your computer have a layer called a solder mask which protects all the traces from shorting.
Loki1:
I would really want to account for that screw. Yes, it "MAY" cause real bad problems. Get someone you trust not to drop the computer to help you and both of you pick it up with both side panels and also the front panel off and shake it (but not to hard) with the PC turned in different directions to see if it will fall out. Make sure you have a floor space so you can see or hear it if it comes out.
If you can't find it that way, I would unfortunately, disassemble the entire PC, until I was assured there was not a screw floating around it there.
Good luck.
I would really want to account for that screw. Yes, it "MAY" cause real bad problems. Get someone you trust not to drop the computer to help you and both of you pick it up with both side panels and also the front panel off and shake it (but not to hard) with the PC turned in different directions to see if it will fall out. Make sure you have a floor space so you can see or hear it if it comes out.
If you can't find it that way, I would unfortunately, disassemble the entire PC, until I was assured there was not a screw floating around it there.
Good luck.
Wow, that's extreme!!! Sorry to hear that man. [Loki1 grabs his trusty screwdriver and goes hunting for the hateful screw]
But what if the screw makes two pins touch (smt components pins for example) ? Solder mask is applied before components are soldered on, I believe, so I would think chip and component pins are at risk.
I once had a short problem in my comp... as it was being transported, a PCI bracket (the "filler" kind) kind of popped out of place and was touching the mobo. The comp wouldn't boot, and when I saw and touched the PCI bracket it seemed hot. I removed the PCI bracket and then the computer was alright. I am really glad it still works...
Murphy's Law requires that the most negative of the possible consequences of a loose screw gain a high probability of occuring. IOW, find that screw!
.bh.
.bh.
Rubycon
Madame President
- Aug 10, 2005
- 17,768
- 485
- 126
I'd be careful if I were you. I mean a pc is no say ummm really expensive piece of machinery but knowingly allowing for a potential disaster cannot be good. Find the screw!
Hurricane Andrew
Golden Member
- Nov 28, 2004
- 1,613
- 0
- 76
One time I had a screw in the bottom of my case, and I couldn't get it out with my fingers. I used a magnetic screwdriver 
Nope, it didn't mess anything up.
Nope, it didn't mess anything up.uh i leave a bag of screws at the bottom of my case on purpose in case i need some more screws, does that count?
Theres a much higher chance it fell out and you couldn't find it than it got lodged somewhere and you can't hear a thing even after shaking it.
Originally posted by: Hurricane Andrew
I've had a screw loose for years. My wife would say more than one. It's never been an issue...
Has she tried picking you up and shaking you?
about the screw I would spend a lil time looking for it.
OK, dismantled my case about 30 minutes ago. Damn standoffs came off with the mobo, but other than that ... no screw. Guess I'm safe. *phew*
But be aware that it might cause strange problems. I had a heck of a time trying to figure why a computer wouldn't boot from a USB CD-ROM (well, it would only about 5% of the time) only to realize that it was because there was a screw that had fallen onto the mobo.
Then again, no permanant damage, so that was good.
Then again, no permanant damage, so that was good.
I lost a screw inside a powersupply for over a year and a half. Finally came out when swapping PS'es. Never had a problem. However, I always waited for the darn thing to blow up or something, never did.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 24K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 19K
-
-
-
Facebook
Twitter