Spacers/Standoffs

[bobdole91]

I know installing a motherboard without spacers or standoffs can short it. Does this cause harm to other components of the computer? such as RAM, processor, etc.. sorry if this is a n00b question

 

[derMeister]

Depends on where the short occurred. The moral of the story is always use your standoffs.

 

[bobdole91]

hmm yeah....

 

[purplerat]

Yes it absolutely can. Using standoffs is not an option when installing a motherboard.

 

[bobdole91]

Ahh crud.. should I just RMA everything I bought then?

 

[geofelt]

I would try it first outside of the case. If it fails, rma it, if it doesn't, use the standoffs, and all should be ok.

 

[bobdole91]

I RMA'd the motherboard after the first time because I thought it was DOA but now I'm guessing I killed it because I didn't know what the standoffs were... The new one is coming soon and I am really worried maybe everything else will be messed up.

 

[roadrunner197069]

Most likely you only shorted it enough to make it not start up. Everything else is probably fine.

 

[bobdole91]

praise jeebus everything works fine!