• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Dropping screwdriver on mobo, plugged 1394 cable into USB header

L

Loosley

Member
I was replacing out my old B2 stepping Asus P8P67 Pro last night, and true to form, I made a couple mistakes:

1) I accidentally dropped a screwdriver tip first on the motherboard while tightening the mobo screws. I looked with a flashlight, but I wasn't sure exactly where it hit the motherboard, but I didn't see any obvious physical damage. If the PC boots, do you think any permanent damage occurred?

2) Despite the warning in my P8P67 PRO motherboard manual saying DO NOT PLUG THE 1394 CABLE INTO THE USB CONNECTOR AS THIS WILL DAMAGE THE MOTHERBOARD, I made the mistake of doing just that. However I did it while the PC was off and when I noticed the error, I plugged the 1394 cable into the 1394 header, and the USB cable into the USB header on the motherboard. The warning in the manual only applies if you power it on right? I mean, it looks like the 1394 and USB plugs that go to the front panel of the case both use the same pinout, and since the PC was off, no damage should have occurred, right?

As usual, thanks in advance for bearing with my worriedness. 🙂
 
Last edited:
I'm pretty sure just plugging it in without power didnt hurt anything.

The screwdriver part is kinda wildcard. If you're really unlucky it might have done some damage, but I would say probably not.
 
You should have seen it back in the Socket370/Socket A days, with those nasty HSF clips that you had to use a screwdriver to push down on very hard to loosen or attach it. More than once I've had the screwdriver slip out and away from me. I don't recall if I ever borked any motherboards because of that though.

(And you current folks think that Intel's PushPins are bad...)
 
You are in definite trouble here, this is many times worse than using a damp cloth on the computer. Step slowly away from the case and call a bomb squad. Make sure that whatever you do, DO NOT ESTABLISH EYE CONTACT WITH SAID CASE (trust me it is looking at you waiting for one false step).
 
Yeah I do worry a lot about my PC but so far I have not destroyed it yet (knock on wood). I appreciate the useful replies.
 
Mixing up the 1394 and USB cables won't matter as long as it wasn't on. The screwdriver is more iffy, but PCBs are actually fairly tough.
 
one time in my living room i stuck a video card into my htpc without plugging in the video card power cable. it made a high pitched squeal on startup and basically ruined my motherboard. it still works, but it loves to freeze up and reset the video all the time now.
 
wirednuts said:
one time in my living room i stuck a video card into my htpc without plugging in the video card power cable. it made a high pitched squeal on startup and basically ruined my motherboard. it still works, but it loves to freeze up and reset the video all the time now.
Click to expand...

Strange; I've done that several times with no ill effects.

Daimon
 
Take your time, double check things, no need to race.

The screwdriver couldn't really damage anything (perhaps scratch if that) on the motherboard unless it fell say on the CPU socket pins area.

As long as you don't turn the power on then inserting the USB/1394 molex block into the wrong places won't cause damage.

When I build a PC I build it, then check all the vital places once more if I case I missed something, or made a mistake. An odd thing can slip our minds so I find it pragmatic to do so.
 
VirtualLarry said:
You should have seen it back in the Socket370/Socket A days, with those nasty HSF clips that you had to use a screwdriver to push down on very hard to loosen or attach it. More than once I've had the screwdriver slip out and away from me. I don't recall if I ever borked any motherboards because of that though.

(And you current folks think that Intel's PushPins are bad...)
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, fun stuff.
 
I also used think that computer parts were delicate little flowers.
I thought if I touched any part of the pcb besides the edges I would static fry the shit our of it or something, or if I pressed too hard it would break.
It was probably after I accidentally dropped a mobo with a 5 lb hsf mounted to it off a table (and it was fine) that I realized that you have to try pretty damn hard to break these things; that is if you're not ups.
 
VirtualLarry said:
You should have seen it back in the Socket370/Socket A days, with those nasty HSF clips that you had to use a screwdriver to push down on very hard to loosen or attach it. More than once I've had the screwdriver slip out and away from me. I don't recall if I ever borked any motherboards because of that though.

(And you current folks think that Intel's PushPins are bad...)
Click to expand...


I still tinker with systems like that. Also slipped up with the screwdriver, you can see a nice scratch trough the traces, mobo still works tho. But it is going to be retired due to high power usage.
 
thetuna said:
I also used think that computer parts were delicate little flowers.
I thought if I touched any part of the pcb besides the edges I would static fry the shit our of it or something, or if I pressed too hard it would break.
It was probably after I accidentally dropped a mobo with a 5 lb hsf mounted to it off a table (and it was fine) that I realized that you have to try pretty damn hard to break these things; that is if you're not ups.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: So true.
 
mfenn said:
:thumbsup: So true.
Click to expand...

Same here... I had that phase as well. I think it was me just being so young and not understanding everything. I used to change motherboards like my underwear when I was 16.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top