Question Asus TUF Gaming Z690-Plus Wifi D4 and no warranty

Henderson

Distinguished
Jan 8, 2010
29
1
18,545
In a nutshell, I bought a brand new motherboard from MicroCenter, it has an undocumented switch hanging from the back, Asus is claiming it's been modified so therefore won't honor any future warranty claims.

I didn't even notice this tiny switch in the back port panel at first until it was up and running, then could nothing online, in their manuals, or on their website about it and finally sent an email to Asus. Their reply was that it is not their switch, it's not possible that it was installed at their factory, and I should return it where I purchased it. The store is willing to take it back and exchange it even though past the usual time, but I'm also thinking it's likely I'll get another switch attached to the new one.

After some experimenting, the switch seems to control the speed of whatever fan is attached only to CHA1. It has a low-medium-high sliding switch on the side.

The motherboard is working perfectly and I'm tempted to just leave it and risk no future problems rather than possibly damaging the CPU taking it all apart again. You can see from the photo that the wires are enclosed in a black casing, I really have a hard time believing it didn't come this way from their factory. Where they're connected is under the housing around the back ports, so it's not possible to see how it's connected. The box was factory sealed, contents all looked new without any evidence of being repackaged.

Would you return it or just live without the warranty? I'm really at a loss how this could happen in the first place, it's pretty absurd to me.

Rv8S8GT.jpg
 
That switch looks like a fan controller with the L M H signifying Low Medium and High.

Might want to shoot some more images of how the resistor is attached to the motherboard. Yes it's not part of the board, it was added on and in fact, it was probably a returned item that got into your hands.
 
My own experience with MicroCenter has been very stand up. They are typically VERY good about open box, returns, display items and is generally very well marked and signified on their website. The in store experience can vary wildly as you are basically using the floor salesman individual as your intermediary to the supply chain within the store. Even in my own in store dealings, the guy goes over to a PC on the floor and makes your selections and simply goes in the back and picks them for you.
 
As much as I hate having to do it, I'll take it apart and return it. I'm printing out the MicroCenter chat to take with because I'm expecting problems at the store without 100% of the packaging included, and being past their 15-day return period.

I've got a dual boot set up of Windows 10 and Kubuntu. Is any part of the boot process stored in the motherboard where I'll have to (hopefully minimally) reinstall anything? Or will it boot up as before if I make sure all SSDs and HDs are connected in the same locations?