First PC Build

[TenthAveN]

So I was building my first PC today, and unfortunately, I’m at a standstill. One of the screws in the motherboard is stuck in a standoff, and I think I’m done for today. I should’ve stopped when my PC guy told me to, but I figured I was about done, so I kept going. Additionally, I cannot get the USB3 cable out. Can I just leave it as is? (PICTURE)

 

[Wookiee]

I don't understand what you mean. Do you mean there's a loose screw stuck somewhere, or a screw you can't physically get to go any further into the stand-off? If it's a case of the screw is stuck holding the board in, but won't screw further in (probably because it's the wrong screw) it won't hurt to leave it there - if you want to take it to someone more confident, you can drill the screw out of the post.

If you're going to get someone else to look at it, you may as well leave it just as is. USB3 cables can either be fairly stiff or really loose (usually the latter), so I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to get it out with a bit of gentle-almost-firm pulling.

At any rate, it will probably be fine as is, but it sounds like you're definitely going to face issues if you ever need to remove the board.

 

[TenthAveN]

I don't understand what you mean. Do you mean there's a loose screw stuck somewhere, or a screw you can't physically get to go any further into the stand-off? If it's a case of the screw is stuck holding the board in, but won't screw further in (probably because it's the wrong screw) it won't hurt to leave it there - if you want to take it to someone more confident, you can drill the screw out of the post.

If you're going to get someone else to look at it, you may as well leave it just as is. USB3 cables can either be fairly stiff or really loose (usually the latter), so I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to get it out with a bit of gentle-almost-firm pulling.

At any rate, it will probably be fine as is, but it sounds like you're definitely going to face issues if you ever need to remove the board.

I was unscrewing a screw, and the stand-off was coming out with the screw, creating a clicking noise, and I suspect the standoff might be stripped out. I do have a spare standoff, so I suppose it won’t be too much of an issue. I’ve been at this for hours because I’ve never built a PC before.

It’s the same size as the others, I’m fairly confident, as I sorted the screws out to begin with. I must’ve cross-threaded it, thus it became stuck in the standoff. I just don’t want anything to break if I leave it like that

 

[Wookiee]

Yeah that sometimes happens. It's very likely you accidentally used the wrong thread. It's only going to be an issue if you ever need to remove the board. And even then it just means that the board will come out with the stand-off and is a little more awkward to maneuver.

I really wouldn't worry too much about it. I've done it once or twice, and have worked on countless computers from stores that have done it.

 

[TenthAveN]

Yeah that sometimes happens. It's very likely you accidentally used the wrong thread. It's only going to be an issue if you ever need to remove the board. And even then it just means that the board will come out with the stand-off and is a little more awkward to maneuver.

I really wouldn't worry too much about it. I've done it once or twice, and have worked on countless computers from stores that have done it.

It’s just that I can’t tighten it the way I want, it’s either loose, and with one turn of a screwdriver it immediately becomes tight. I don’t want to cause a short.

 

[Wookiee]

You can try and drill it out or wrangle it apart with pliers and a screwdriver, but as long as the stand-off is sitting in the hole (even if loose) and the screw is not going to come out of the stand-off (even if loose) you'll be rather unlikely to get a short.

 

[TenthAveN]

You can try and drill it out or wrangle it apart with pliers and a screwdriver, but as long as the stand-off is sitting in the hole (even if loose) and the screw is not going to come out of the stand-off (even if loose) you'll be rather unlikely to get a short.

I only noticed this problem when I was trying to get the USB3 cord out to reroute it as to not take up so much space

 

[Wookiee]

Fiddle about with it as much as you want, but that doesn't look egregious. It's not going to make a world of difference unless you're planning on cramming lots of additional stuff in there.

If the only other thing you foresee adding in the future are one or two cards and/or storage devices, it definitely won't make any difference.

 

[TenthAveN]

Fiddle about with it as much as you want, but that doesn't look egregious. It's not going to make a world of difference unless you're planning on cramming lots of additional stuff in there.

If the only other thing you foresee adding in the future are one or two cards and/or storage devices, it definitely won't make any difference.

When I wiggle that side of the board, there’s a bit of give. I also find plugging the the PSU fan problematic because it seems like it’s bent at an angle when I attach it.

 

[Wookiee]

I think that might be a combination of the board and the case more than anything. There are some cases and boards that feel pretty flimsy when combined, so that's understandably concerning if you haven't done it before.

What do you think is bent? The board or the power supply connector? And what do you mean by the fan - the power supply itself has two connectors which are 24-pin connector and the 4 (or 8) pin one at the top.

 

[TenthAveN]

The sys_fan1 connector

 

[Wookiee]

The sys_fan1 connector

Like this one? If so, that's just for the auxiliary fan (which generally isn't a burning necessity). It's also not unusual for that connector to feel a little flimsy - and with these sorts of connectors, as long as the pins are making contact, it really won't worry anything.

 

[TenthAveN]

Like this one? If so, that's just for the auxiliary fan (which generally isn't a burning necessity). It's also not unusual for that connector to feel a little flimsy - and with these sorts of connectors, as long as the pins are making contact, it really won't worry anything.

Well, thanks for your help. However, I’m probably just going to call it a night. I just want to know if I can leave it as is. The 24-pin, 4x4, USB3, CPU fan and F_Audio are all plugged in, and of course, the loose screw deal. Oh, and the DVD/CD drive

 

[Jeshu]

I just want to know if I can leave it as is.

Yes it doesn't matter what is where for as long as you don't put power on it.

i always found the one, two and three pin connectors to be the worst to find the right place for, each motherboard is different.

Apart of your rounded screw, you seem to have all the right connectors in place.

 

[TenthAveN]

Yes it doesn't matter what is where for as long as you don't put power on it.

i always found the one, two and three pin connectors to be the worst to find the right place for, each motherboard is different.

Apart of your rounded screw, you seem to have all the right connectors in place.

I’m nervous that at some point I shorted something out, and my screwdriver slipped several times. At some point my ESD strap came unclipped. I will probably be somewhat surprised if it ends up working, and I’m hoping nothing breaks in the process of extracting that screw.

 

[Jeshu]

I’m nervous that at some point I shorted something out, and my screwdriver slipped several times. At some point my ESD strap came unclipped. I will probably be somewhat surprised if it ends up working, and I’m hoping nothing breaks in the process of extracting that screw.

understandable, and on first try it might not work correctly, if it does you did well.

Computers are hardy things i found out to be true.

 

[TenthAveN]

understandable, and on first try it might not work correctly, if it does you did well.

Computers are hardy things i found out to be true.

The thing is, my parents bought me the parts for Christmas, and I’d probably be less on edge if I had bought it myself

 

[Jeshu]

The thing is, my parents bought me the parts for Christmas, and I’d probably be less on edge if I had bought it myself

Yes of course you don't want to blow up your Christmas present. Unload your anxiety to the Lord and just work on it systematically until you got all the cables done and you have not too many screws leftThen power up just to see if it works so you can sleep tonight.

 

[TenthAveN]

Yes of course you don't want to blow up your Christmas present. Unload your anxiety to the Lord and just work on it systematically until you got all the cables done and you have not too many screws leftThen power up just to see if it works so you can sleep tonight.

I may just put in the necessary cables, like the two front panel headers. I’m just concerned about that screw causing a short

 

[Jeshu]

’m just concerned about that screw causing a short

If you look at the motherboard on Wookiee's post then you can see that there is a large circle around each screw point, that is how much it takes to short your motherboard, outside of that circle it might short , not otherwise.