Mother board Screws

[voxgm]

So I had to strip my pc down to install a few extra things and I got to thinking about my mobo screws. I got an asus m5a97 r2.0 and my case cam with 4 screw types. 1 type looks like the screws for psu or cdrom installation. Not going to use those cuz they are big. The others ones im confused on......the first one looks like it has a washer on it but doent seem to thread right. The next one has a very small head one it. Like just enought to get a phillips bit on it. Still threads better the the washer type. Then I have a flat type one that threads good. I dunno which ones to use

And should I use the card board washers?

 

[Dogsnake]

First never use a screw that does not finger turn in and out. If it not easy to turn then it is the wrong thread for that use. The flat-head you describe sound correct. Easy in and out of the standoffs (you are using the standoffs...Right?). Do not tighten these screws very much, just snug them down as over tightening can damage the MB.

 

[voxgm]

Oh yeah im using standoffs. Iv had the computer already booted playing games. What about the washers? Iv heard this and that about card board washers.

 

[Ubrales]

Oh yeah im using standoffs. Iv had the computer already booted playing games. What about the washers? Iv heard this and that about card board washers.

The stand-offs and screws are part of the grounding loop. It is a precise design. The fiber washers that you have may be for some other application.

 

[voxgm]

Im using this screw

http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mnSUzsWfRqSt0Ds_CxU_iGQ.jpg

but I have this one too
http://www.microcenter.com/product/218196/Screws_4-40_x_3-16_Long_50-Pack

The first one threads a little losser than the bottem one. The bottem ones head is just small. Like when I thread it in the stand off...its flush with the stand off if that makes sense

 

[Ubrales]

Im using this screw

http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mnSUzsWfRqSt0Ds_CxU_iGQ.jpg

but I have this one too
http://www.microcenter.com/product/218196/Screws_4-40_x_3-16_Long_50-Pack

The first one (eBay screws) look like motherboard screws - #6-32 x 1/4" long, Phillips head. These screws are also used for securing hard drives and DVD drives.

The second one - #4-40 may be for mounting other stuff (I don't know)

 

[voxgm]

Ok cool. Now theres another issue I want to point out. One of my mobo screws is slightly off. I tried about 4 times remounting the mobo to align it but no luck. its that last bottom one. I was thinking about putting a cardboard washer on just that one to be safe

 

[Ubrales]

Ok cool. Now theres another issue I want to point out. One of my mobo screws is slightly off. I about 4 times to align it bout its that last bottom one. I was thinking about putting a cardboard washer on just that one to be safe

No washers. Use a different screw. These screws are manufactured by the "thread rolling" process (rolled between 2 threaded plates) and depending on the machine setting some turn out oversize usually and will not fit.

I have a whole bagful of bad motherboard screws that came with my last motherboard purchase. Fortunately, I have several spares that are good.

 

[voxgm]

Nah I think its the case. It wont line up completly

 

[voxgm]

And the holes on the mobo the metal dots on some holes are flush with the board

 

[Ubrales]

Nah I think its the case. It wont line up completly

Loosen all the remaining motherboard screws. Then install the last screw that you are having trouble with. Get it started. Then lightly tighten all the screws starting with the center and progressing outwards. Do not over tighten.

 

[voxgm]

Worked. AArnt the metel dots on the holes suppose to be raised

 

[Ubrales]

Worked. AArnt the metel dots on the holes suppose to be raised

Can you describe this a little better? I don't understand what you mean by "metal dots on the holes".

Normally, there are tapped holes (#6 - 32) on the motherboard mounting tray. Stand-offs (1/4" high, 8 or 9) are screwed into these tapped holes and then the motherboard is fastened to the stand-offs using motherboard screws #6 - 32 x 1/4" long.

There are some designs of computer cases where the motherboard mounting holes are on 1/4" high (approx.) raised bumps. These bumps are in lieu of the stand-offs - either one or the other not both or else the RF shield cutouts will not line up with the motherboard devices.