Will Scotch tape hurt the back of the motherboard?

[VirtualLarry]

When I built my quad-core, in order to get my tuniq tower installed, there is an 'X' bracket that goes on the back of the motherboard. In order to keep that bracket aligned with the mounting holes, I taped each leg of the X using scotch tape. I got my tuniq assembled, and then I proceeded to install the mobo into the case, without removing the scotch tape.

Will that cause any long-term damage? When the tape gets old, or possibly heats up, there won't be any chemical reaction with the stuff on the board PcB, will there?

Or will it just leave a layer of sticky goop attached to the mobo when I eventually disassemble the rig years from now and take the tape off?

 

[mpilchfamily]

Why didn't you take the tape off?

It should be fine and it will leave the sticky stuff behind.

 

[imported_wired247]

It will peel off eventually, but the residue is totally non-conductive. Not to worry. Tape works by weak interactions, it's not like some epoxy that will literally make a strong chemical bond with the PCB.

 

[jamesbond007]

Since it's around the CPU, I'd be a little nervous about the heat and the melting of the tape. I've seen some motherboards get a little brown tint around the CPU socket because of the coils and such that surround it, so I know it can get warm there.

PERSONALLY, and this is totally because I'm extremely anal retentive, I could never live with the doubt or possibility of a potential fire hazard in my computer.

My $0.02

 

[VirtualLarry]

Fire hazard? Hmm, I hadn't considered that at all. Not good, not good.

Does anyone else concur, is this a fire hazard?

 

[mindless1]

It will not get hot enough to catch on fire in a PC, unless there was already a fire. Heat may make it discolor and get brittle though, IF you think you will ever remove it, it would be easier to do now rather than later. It should cause no problem left there long term.