How do you isolate the mobo from the case?

[ThurzNite]

I've just figured out why my cdrom won't work properly...cuz my darn Asus P3V4X had issues w/my InWin case.
Anyways, I need ideas on how to keep the mobo from touching the case/mounting tray. There should be some way I can use electrical/masking tape, but I really aren't sure. Please tell me how you did it.
Jay

 

[ApacheXMD]

use washers with the motherboard standoffs
you should have used em when you built the system in the first place.
good safety measure. don't want the motherboard to be grounded where it ain't supposed to

-patchy

 

[Moving Target]

I've always bolted my mobo right to the case, never had a problem. I even have a P3V4 in a InWin S500 case, works fine.

 

[ThurzNite]

The 3 InWin cases I've ever used never had standoffs. Here's what's on the parts list of the S506 case that I'm having problems with:
4 cd-r mounting brackets
4 3.5" mounting brackets
1 ground copper screw
16 #6*32 screw
4 rubber foot
9 #6*32 4.5 screw
6 i/o panel
6 M3*5 screw
1 key flap
1 canoe clip

As you can see, there's no standoffs. The mounting base of the case is raised at the mounting points, supposedly to eliminate standoffs.
Straight from In-Win's site: Link


<< Stamped Mother board support - no M/B stand off installation required, for faster M/B installation >>


So now that my situation has been clarified, I need ideas...It's buggin me!
Jay

 

[ThurzNite]

Here's a pic from their site too. You can see where there are lil raised bumps (like cones). Pic

 

[Moving Target]

Why do you think it's the mobo mounted to the case is your problem?

 

[TerreApart]

From what you are saying the CD-rom works fine when it is plugged in and not touching the case? Sounds to me more like the CD-Rom has grounding issues...(internal short perhaps, using the case as a ground for the short)

I serously doubt the motherboard mounting is your problem.
Good Luck...

 

[ThurzNite]

It's not the cdrom cuz I've tried using another known good cdrom w/the mobo in the case and it won't work either. When the mobo is removed and operating isolated from the mobo, everything's fine. Here's some links.
Link
Link
Link
Link
Link
Link
Link
Anyways, if u don't wanna read all those, basically, the mounting holes and mounting hardware does something to the mobo so that it acts strangely. In my case, it won't detect the cdrom properly. The first link is actually my thread. I've ruled out everything and this is the best explaination/fix.
Please let me know how you keep the mobo separate from the case.
Jay

 

[Moving Target]

I would look at you ps, I had the same problem with a floppy drive not working when in the case, turned out the ps was bad. Works fine now with new ps.

 

[ThurzNite]

Nope. Not the ps. Swapped it w/mine while mobo was in the case and no go. Took the mobo out and set it on my desk w/my ps and it works. Also, when troubleshooting, all I had on there was P3 700, gorb, creative agp tnt2u, mem, and cdrom. Those components shouldn't draw that much, so 235watt ps is more than adequate for troubleshooting purposes.

 

[jkersenbr]

My bet is that it is the P3V4X. I have one in an Inwin A500 that flakes out. Mine won't recognize most PS/2 mice. I've tried 8 mice and only found one that it will cooperate with. I asked all over the internet and was told on the Asus support forum about the grounding problem. I haven't torn my system down to put the washers in yet, but I'll bet they do the trick.

The reason I didn't use insulating washers in the first place? I purchased my Inwin brand spanking new with all the retail goodies; and, guess what, no washers were included. (No standoffs either because of the raised mounting points on the motherboard tray.)

Good luck.
Jeremy

 

[ThurzNite]

jkersenbr: Yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying. InWin had a great idea. Unfortunately, the convienence of raised mounting points doesn't quite work out. So you think going with washers is the answer? Where can I get them?
Jay

 

[mccall]

You can get insulating washers from any electronic supply store. Radio Shack should have them.

 

[ThurzNite]

Cool. I gotta get me some zip ties and crossovers for my subwoofer anyways. Dope.

 

[DainBrammage]

Even better go to your local Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Tru Value, Lowes Etc and buy some nylon spacers, bolts etc they have tons of that kind of misc hardware in almost any size that you can imagine. if you want to insulate those raised bumps get a handful of those nylon washers and use a two-part epoxy to attach them to those dimples. MAKE SURE THE EPOXY ISNT CONDUCTIVE

 

[ThurzNite]

DainBrammage
I like your suggestion too. Now what about the top side of the mobo? The screw head touches the top of the mobo and touches the case where the thread is at. Any ideas on that?

 

[lenjack]

The mounting screws and the threads will NOT short out the board...the screw holes are insulated from the rest of the board. If you look closely at the mounting holes, you may see a metal ring around the hole. You can see that this ring Textdoes not touch anything else on the board.

 

[TerreApart]

Please don't post messages if you have not tested yourself or know for a fact the dribble you are posting.

lenjack the mounting rings you mention ARE connected internally inside the pcb of the motherboard as grounds(motherboards are made of layers 4 or more). You could have tested this with a multimeter, these holes are directly connected to the grounds on the PS connector mounted to the motherboard. Off the top of my head i believe there are 5+ grounded pins on that connector, that connect directly to these rings.

Sounds like the other members posting to this thread have a good handle on the problem. Hope you guys solve it, good luck.

Opps forgot to mention: if there was an internal fault/short inside one of the layers of the pcb them it could and is designed to travel out one of the &quot;rings&quot; to the ground.