I/O shield doesn't fit

[Towermax]

Trying to install an Asus M5A97 EVO, but the I/O shield cut-outs are about 1/8" too high.

The shield goes in its hole just fine--it's tight and lined up correctly. When I install the motherboard, I can't use most of the ports, because they're blocked at the bottom by the shield.

I've tried three different cases, two with normal standoffs and one with built-in standoffs. I've also had the I/O shield replaced by Asus. Same problem every time.

All of these cases work fine with every other motherboard and I/O shield. So, it looks to me like Asus had a run of defective I/O shields for this particular motherboard. I notice four people making the same complaint at Newegg.

I can still return the motherboard for a full refund, but thought I'd check here in case I'm missing something obvious. Any ideas?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Can you post a picture?

 

[Towermax]

Can you post a picture?

I've put it back in the box and I'm going to return it to the seller. Like many of you, I've built a lot of systems--probably 50 or more--over the years, and never had this problem. At this point, I'm pretty sure that Asus had a run of defective I/O shields for this model, and hasn't corrected the problem. No point in wasting more time playing with it.

In any case, it's probably time to go Ivy Bridge . . .

 

[VirtualLarry]

You know, you don't have to have the I/O shield. It makes things nice and neat, with the I/O connectors, and also keeps the RF energy trapped inside the case (helps prevent radio interference). But you could go without.

 

[2is]

I have the same board with the same problem. Not quite as off center as yours but enough to make it more difficult than it should be to plug stuff in. QA obviously non existent for that part.

 

[mikeymikec]

You know, you don't have to have the I/O shield. It makes things nice and neat, with the I/O connectors, and also keeps the RF energy trapped inside the case (helps prevent radio interference). But you could go without.

However, blindly trying to plug in a USB device around the back without pulling everything out first becomes a lot more hazardous

 

[Magic Carpet]

However, blindly trying to plug in a USB device around the back without pulling everything out first becomes a lot more hazardous

That's what USB extensions are for

 

[SpeedTester]

You sure your using the right "standard" motherboard standoffs?
Or could you try using taller ones? I know in my bin of a million screws & parts of the last 25
Years I have atleast 3-4 different standoffs.

 

[dac7nco]

Trying to install an Asus M5A97 EVO, but the I/O shield cut-outs are about 1/8" too high. Any ideas?

I have this problem a lot installing Intel boards into other vendors chassis. Forget the I/O shield; unless your hand is covered with soda/cheese/sweat, it doesn't matter. Supermicro does the same thing, but makes it hilarious by making the front panel connections proprietary as well (Unless you're using a Supermicro case, where old PATA connections to SAS drives are the shizzle.).

Daimon

 

[Towermax]

You know, you don't have to have the I/O shield. It makes things nice and neat, with the I/O connectors, and also keeps the RF energy trapped inside the case (helps prevent radio interference). But you could go without.

Sure I could go without, but why? I can return the board for a full refund and get a different board whose I/O shield fits. And aside from R/F and neatness, the I/O shield helps keep things out of my system--like spiders and bugs.

Plus, I ran an experiment once with and without I/O shield. Without the I/O shield my system temps went up a few degrees. Now, I realize that may vary depending on the particular case and fan setup, but this is going in the case I did the experiment in.

 

[Towermax]

You sure your using the right "standard" motherboard standoffs?
Or could you try using taller ones? I know in my bin of a million screws & parts of the last 25
Years I have atleast 3-4 different standoffs.

Yeah, I've got a box full of screws, standoffs, and misc case/board parts also, including those old white plastic standoffs. Thing is, though, the standoffs in this Antec Solo have worked for my last four motherboards--Asus, MSI, DFI, and Gigabyte.

Just for fun, I put washers under the standoffs to raise the board to match the I/O shield cut-outs. But then, of course, the video card was too high at the PCI slot--couldn't be screwed down correctly.

This stuff has all been standardized for some time--standoff height, I/O shield placement, etc. The problem isn't the case or standoffs--it's a defective I/O shield.

 

[borisvodofsky]

Sure I could go without, but why? I can return the board for a full refund and get a different board whose I/O shield fits. And aside from R/F and neatness, the I/O shield helps keep things out of my system--like spiders and bugs.

Plus, I ran an experiment once with and without I/O shield. Without the I/O shield my system temps went up a few degrees. Now, I realize that may vary depending on the particular case and fan setup, but this is going in the case I did the experiment in.

I believe only roaches like warm hardware. if you don't have roaches, then the bug thing isn't much of an issue.

Fan noise and flux ringing usually keeps most bugs out of desktops.

 

[Towermax]

I believe only roaches like warm hardware. if you don't have roaches, then the bug thing isn't much of an issue.

That's good to know . . .

 

[Magic Carpet]

With a bit of desire and will, you can make your own io shield. Having said that, I've had one PC without one for 7 years and no issues.

Interesting point on bugs and other insects, though. Anybody live in the tropics?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

With a bit of desire and will, you can make your own io shield. Having said that, I've had one PC without one for 7 years and no issues.

Interesting point on bugs and other insects, though. Anybody live in the tropics?

Just make it out of cardboard

 

[Magic Carpet]

Just make it out of cardboard

Metal mesh is better

 

[Towermax]

Spiders in computers:

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2665728

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/117489-28-spiders-computer-help

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/298699-28-spider-computer-case

Black Widow in computer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj-MlSac4yg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amODsA35Gp8

Insects in computers:

http://voices.yahoo.com/insect-machine-6539460.html

http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6122_102-256151/i-have-little-insects-bugs-crawling-out-of-my-laptop/