Copper bolts for motherboard base plate?

[Rapsven]

So I built a new system and when I tried to turn on the computer, nothing happened.

The PSU light was on, so I know that the PSU working. And I'm pretty sure there's enough energy from the PSU (600W FSP). So I reread all the instructions and upon further review, it seems that I used the wrong screws to mount the motherboard onto the base plate.

Instead of using a copper bolt, I used a regular screw. Is that enough to prevent the computer from completely turning on? And if so, did I permanently screw up my computer by using the wrong screws?

 

[Patrickz0rs]

LOL the ones you didn't use are GROUNDING SCREWS.

 

[dfuze]

Did you use the standoffs too?

 

[Rapsven]

Did you use the standoffs too?

That's what I meant by copper bolts. I'm just wondering if that is enough to prevent my computer from booting up. And whether or not there is permanent damage.

 

[lord_emperor]

These are very important, they keep the parts of the motherboard that should not touch the case... from touching the case.

You probably didn't break it, just re-build it with the standoffs and cross your fingers.

 

[nboy22]

There probably is no permanent damage, but you definitely need to install those motherboard standoffs. Motherboard standoffs are used between the motherboard and the case to prevent grounding, which is exactly what you're doing right now. The motherboard soldering points are making contact with the case, and the electricity is grounding out. Just pull your motherboard off, screw in those copper pieces, put the motherboard over the copper pieces and screw it back in.

 

[Homerboy]

Brass. Not copper.

 

[nboy22]

Brass. Not copper.

You're right, that's my bad. It wouldn't make sense for them to be copper since that's conductive.

 

[nickbits]

You're right, that's my bad. It wouldn't make sense for them to be copper since that's conductive.

Brass is conductive.

 

[dfuze]

If you want to test the board and be sure it isn't toasted, set it up on the anti-static bag it came with and try to fire it up.

 

[nboy22]

Brass is conductive.

Lol I thought about that right after I posted it. Again, my bad... brass is less conductive than copper for the most part because it's copper and zinc together. I guess it would just depend on how much copper is actually in those brass standoffs.

 

[corkyg]

Brass is used because it is strong enough to hold threads - copper is too soft. BTW, brass is an alloy made of copper + zinc. It is both conductive and hard enough to hold threads.

The brass standoffs are essential to mobo mounting. Some mobos even provide fiber washers to insulate the screwheads from the mobo surface.

 

[MadScientist]

Washers on motherboard screws are now usually omitted in new system cases because they are less necessary now than they once were (since motherboards today now tend to keep the circuitry farther away from the screwholes than they once did).
Use the screws supplied with MB or other small head screws.
The screw head should not exceed the size of the "metal surround" of the MB hole. If it does, it could possibly shortout or make conductivity with other circuits near the mounting hole.

 

[corkyg]

Agree - but, if you have the fiber washers, use 'em. They can't hurt!

 

[Modelworks]

Fiber washers are not part of the ATX spec. and should not be used. They are from the AT spec when motherboards could come without the required separation of traces from screw holes. Using them on ATX prevents the motherboard ground plane from connecting with the metal case ground and can cause problems if the motherboard was expecting the case ground to make up for trace difference in the board design.

 

[corkyg]

Good point!