Mainboard - Corrosion all over the shop

[Jornak]

My Motherboard is full of red "rust" or corrosion, it never came into direct contact with liquids and it is barely 2 months old - I guess it is pretty damn urgent

Can I still do something about it?
My main concern are CPU, GPU and SSD

The strange thing is exactly the same happened to my h310m pro m2 board - could the case be a factor?
I had grounding issues until a few days ago - also a factor?
I've also ordered some silic packs to absorb some of the humidity.

Why are todays MBs not rustproof or are they?

What am I supposed to do now?

https://imgur.com/a/iB8CH2h

Just for the protocol:
Specs

-ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E
-CPU I7 8700k
-GTX 1070
-Seasonic 650w platinum
-16GB Corsair 2666

 

[UsandThem]

The strange thing is exactly the same happened to my h310m pro m2 board - could the case be a factor?
I had grounding issues until a few days ago - also a factor?
I've also ordered some silic packs to absorb some of the humidity.

Is the PC in an air conditioned environment?

If not, high humidity will take its toll on most electronics.

 

[Jornak]

Well, yes, I've got an Air conditioner, but with dehumidifier and I didn't use it when I had my first H310 Mainboard (~13.05.2019) from now on I will be alot more careful.

What can I do about it?
Can I clean it with isoproanol or ethanol or should I take it to a local pc-store?

Thanks for your reply.


EDIT: but MOST importanly: can I keep using it like that AND will it harm my CPU, SSD and GPU? I'm in a state of constant anxiety since I've found out about the dimensions earlier today and it's sunday so not much that I can do

 

[UsandThem]

Well, yes, I've got an Air conditioner, but with dehumidifier and I didn't use it when I had my first H310 Mainboard (~13.05.2019) from now on I will be alot more careful.

What can I do about it?
Can I clean it with isoproanol or ethanol or should I take it to a local pc-store?

Thanks for your reply.

I think the important thing to do is knock the humidity down in your environment.

I'm not so sure what you could do (or really need to do) concerning the existing rust.

Maybe someone here could chime in with some type of electrical cleaner they've used before that wouldn't damage anything.

 

[Jornak]

Regarding the Humidity, I've bought this, but that only reduces the risk of future corrosion: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01CHSA0JS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yes, I'm not sure either and this subject really isn't something one should tackle with half-knowledge.
I'm kinda restraining myself from taking premature actions, but I'm nervous as hell.
I've spent much money on this build and upgrade and if that is not enough: The warranty is probably void because of this corrosion, I'm pretty desperate right now.

The following Questions remain and I hope someone with adequate knowledge is willing to help:
- Are my GPU, CPU and SSD in danger as well? Can the corrosion spread to these components or are they made of enough rustproof metal?
- And how can I clean my Mainboard from this corrosion, is it even possible?

 

[Jornak]

Anyone?


As long as I don't know wha's going on I can't even consider buying a new mainboard as it would corrode, too.

Edit: Shutdown was due to another reason.
But there's an electrical "beep" that occurs now and then...not really like a bios beep and it happens while on windows, just as I started writing this.

I absolutely need to know the cause of the corroding, my TV and consoles arent affected by this or they've run with corrosion for nearly a decade now.

Even if you can't help me personally, maybe you know someone who can, I would appreciate it.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I’m no expert so take this with a grain of salt.

When I worked in wireless, I heard from several phone vendors that when the phones (the circuit boards) got wet sometimes it could take weeks for corrosion to happen.
Maybe the board got damp before or during shipping and is starting to show damage now?

Again just something I heard, I can’t point to any specifics.

Also I do know regarding older mobile phones you could scrub the boards with rubbing alcohol to clean them up. Could that be done with a modern motherboard I am not sure.
*agressive scrubbing was required so I’m not sure how realistic it would be to perform*

**do not perform the above until someone more knowledgeable can confirm**

 

[Fanatical Meat]

@DrMrLordX @VirtualLarry

Any input?
You guys are pretty smart with this stuff.

Sorry false alarm

 

[Jornak]

Mh, I see.
Thank you very much for your reply!
I'd like to upvote or give you a like, but I can't see any like/upvote buttons ( it is possible on tomeshardware forum why not here?)

So good news is that most of what I recognized as corrosion is probably normal (maybe copper) as I compared it to several pictures on the internet.
BUT the one square part in between CPU and I/O is, on some pics, slightly red like mine (maybe it is a bit more prominent on my board), but on others it is purely silver-coloured.
It is in the middle of the first picture I've posted.

As of now everything is running fine, but after boot up, while on windows it does make one short beep-sound, but not exactly like the BIOS code-beeps, but more of an electrical sound.

I've done several diagnostics - RAM, CPU and GPU seems to be fine for now (for my CPU I went with Intel's official diagnostic tool)
I've also put salt into a cup to let it absorb a bit of the humidity and the Silic Packs arrive tomorrow.

As long my CPU, SSD and GPU are in no danger I might as well leave it as it is, at least until I've managed to save a bit money for a new, adequate MB.

 

[DrMrLordX]

That's a lot of corrosion for just 2 months.

Is there the possibility of a galvanic cell at work here? I have had motherboards work for years in fairly high-humidity environments, so simple oxidation would appear not to be the culprit.

Also, take a look at your H310 mobo if you still have it. Do you see anything similar?

 

[Jornak]

Thank you very much, DrMrLordX!

I have looked at old pictures of my h310 and there were the same red spots. but are we sure that this is corrosion?
I've had the h310 for even less than 2 Months.

I saw it on other Z390-E although not as bad (some were Silver only without any red lines, it's crazy).

Galvanic Cell? It is just a normal setup, I really don't know.

The only constant would be the Case of the PC and maybe the Socket, a surge protector, I have bought a grounding testing device and it only shows grounding when inserting the cable with the head pointing to me and the cable pointing/going away from me( don't know how else to put it)
when inserting the other way around it always shows "HOT/NEU REV" but it is showing "Grounded" when putting the cable into the socket the other way around, I don't really get it.

Are we really sure it is corrosion?
Can I still use this without endangering my CPU and GPU?

Edit: There, on a google picture I've found, you can barely see the outlines, there are other pictures, I'm searching for them.

https://wccftech.com/review/asus-ro...rog-strix-z390-e-gaming-motherboard-review/8/

The next you can see it clearly, also a Picture from google/duckduck
https://cdn.wccftech.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/DSC_0584-Custom.jpg

 

[Campy]

I'm no expert, but I'm not seeing anything that looks like corrosion on those two pics in the OP. There's some exposed copper from the motherboard, and what looks like some flux residue on some of the solder points, but no corrosion.

 

[Jornak]

they weren't like that when I've received them ~2 months ago, at least the Square-thingy was silver.
Any Ideas?

And thanks for the reply!

 

[DrMrLordX]

I'm no expert, but I'm not seeing anything that looks like corrosion on those two pics in the OP. There's some exposed copper from the motherboard, and what looks like some flux residue on some of the solder points, but no corrosion.

It's those odd reddish pink stains. Though now that you mention it, it might be something else. If I had the board in-hand things would be more clear.

they weren't like that when I've received them ~2 months ago, at least the Square-thingy was silver.
Any Ideas?

And thanks for the reply!

If it isn't corrosion, then you've got some dust-like junk entering the air from somewhere and depositing itself onto the board, probably thanks to case fans. I don't think it could be a galvanic cell since those normally form under water (try mixing aluminum and copper pipes and then run water through them, ugh). But corrosion from simple exposure to moist air like that normally doesn't happen.

You could try some contact cleaner to remove the stuff. Just wipe away from exposed sockets, and be careful not to wipe with anything that'll bring up too much static. Or you could try a minivac. If the stuff is particulate, it should vac right off the mobo.

 

[Jornak]

First of all: Thanks for the response

Would it help you sorting things out, if I take more pictures? I could add extra light sources and use a better camera.

What do you think, can I use Q-tips and Isopropanyl (99%)? Or should I go through the "trouble" and order some brushes for PCB cleaning and buy something like WD-40?

Are my GPU and CPU safe now? CPU is almost isolated isn't it? and is partly made of gold, while the GPU should be protected by the PCI-Slot it is in, about right?


Damn it! I just remembered how this started - it started with me noticing a rusted screw at the back of the mainboard (other side of the case, with panel removed), there was red rust on the tip of the standoff.
I've used the standoffs that came with the pc I bought and used them for my new mainboard, the support confirmed that I can use them.
There is enough space, it is not touching anything
So now I'm depressed and confused again.

https://imgur.com/a/6V7iGIL

 

[Jornak]

Sorry for the double-post, but I took some more Pictures and wanted to share them

https://imgur.com/a/bmKfUAr

The Screws aren't really on top of the metal around the mounting holes, is that a problem?
On other Asus Z390-E MBs the circle of metal is directly around the mounting hole, while on my MB there is like half a cm space so the metal surrounds the screws instead of the screw being directly on top of them.

Well, I've replaced the Screws and Standoffs with Brass and Copper : https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01GO08KRO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If it wasn't for the Rusty Screw at the case/Mainboard's back I would've gone with the "dust/dirt" story.

Makes me wonder if the Case itself is causing problems


Edit: What is even further confusing: The original Screws had blue stuff on it, thread-locking fluid to prevent corrosion....it's just crazy

 

[Seba]

Light and focus.

 

[Jornak]

Yes, I'm trying, Seba.
Focus is garbage with my old Iphone, shake only a little and it's ruined (I'm shaking quite alot due to sickness) but I will take some more pictures with better lighting, though.

 

[DrMrLordX]

You had rusted screws too? Hmm that's really weird. How are you getting rusted screws inside a case like that? Something is really wrong.

edit: how long did it take for the screws to rust like that?

 

[Jornak]

Slightly better pictures

https://imgur.com/a/p79sJCL

As for the screw, I don't know, but the Case was as old as the complete system, a mere two months

 

[DrMrLordX]

Hmmmm

Humidity has never caused any of my case screws to corrode. Are you near any large bodies of saltwater?

 

[Jornak]

No, nothing of that sort.