Question HELP! I can neither remove nor reseat my video card.

[Mugsy]

Help.

I tried to install a new M.2 drive this morning on my Asus Tuf 570 Plus motherboard, which has two M.2 sockets,one of which is already occupied.

In a brilliant move of god-awful design, the second M.2 socket is under the primary x16 slot occupied by my video card. So the only way to get to it is to remove it (a dual slot GTX970.)

I unplugged my video cable & power cables, unscrewed the mounting screws, and started to lift out the card from the back end, but the front end was still locked in place.

I've tried for an hour to unlock the front tab to no avail. I eventually gave up and tried to reseat the card only to find I cant push it back down.

I don't want to damage anything. What's the best way to get the card in or out at this point? TIA

Front tab

Same tab, next slot

Back end of card

 

[MEMOFLEX]

I have found that when trying to remove graphics the card the pcie locking mechanism can sometimes relocate itself. I just repress it down whilst working to lift the card from the middle and out.

Lifting from the locking mechanism end often wil not work as the bracket is deeper than the motherboard and will often get stuck.

 

[Ralston18]

Just for the record: this GPU?

GTX970

 

[Mugsy]

I have found that when trying to remove graphics the card the pcie locking mechanism can sometimes relocate itself. I just repress it down whilst working to lift the card from the middle and out.

Lifting from the locking mechanism end often wil not work as the bracket is deeper than the motherboard and will often get stuck.

Thx for the reply.

What exactly do you mean by "repress it down"? Do you mean press down on the front end of the card to relock it in place?

(UPDATE: I managed to reseat the card. The tabs in back were simply pulled outside of the slot-window. Pushing the tabs back in let me reseat the card, reconnect everything, and use the computer again.

But that still leaves the problem of getting the video card out to get to the M.2 slot.

One option: I have a x1 M.2 adapter card. It would be slow though and I couldn't boot off it, but if left with no choice, I could move the first (accessible) M.2 drive to the PCIe card and put the new M.2 in it's place, but I'd hate to do that.)

 

[ohio_buckeye]

There’s usually a locking mechanism at the back of the slot.

I like having these around. We used to use them when working on PCs and laptops they are basically a piece of plastic with a pointed end and a flat screwdriver style end. But the tool being long and plastic it’s a little safer than trying to reach spend there with a screwdriver to release the mechanism.

https://a.co/d/h0YjHzA

But sometimes if you can reseat the card first, then you can try to unlock the latch in the rear first and then try to see if you can pull the card straight out. Watch the latch though sometimes it may try to re latch while your trying to pull the card.

 

[Mugsy]

Just for the record: this GPU?

GTX970

Yep. Exact card.

 

[MEMOFLEX]

Thx for the reply.

What exactly do you mean by "repress it down"? Do you mean press down on the front end of the card to relock it in place?

(UPDATE: I managed to reseat the card. The tabs in back were simply pulled outside of the slot-window. Pushing the tabs back in let me reseat the card, reconnect everything, and use the computer again.

But that still leaves the problem of getting the video card out to get to the M.2 slot.

One option: I have a x1 M.2 adapter card. It would be slow though and I couldn't boot off it, but if let with no choice, I could move the first (accessible) M.2 drive to the PCIe card and put the new M.2 in it's place, but I'd hate to do that.)

The plastic tab at the rear of the slot needs to be pressed down to release the gpu from the pcie slot. I often find that I press it but on trying to remove it can re engage so I find that keeping it depressed whilst removing he card helps.

I often just use my finger for this but it can depend on the board and cooler clearance sometimes.

As suggested a plastic tool can be used but obviously be careful as a slip could result in damaging the board. I would not use a metal screwdriver under any circumstances as the risk of a slip is too high

 

[Mugsy]

There’s usually a locking mechanism at the back of the slot.

I like having these around. We used to use them when working on PCs and laptops they are basically a piece of plastic with a pointed end and a flat screwdriver style end. But the tool being long and plastic it’s a little safer than trying to reach spend there with a screwdriver to release the mechanism.

https://a.co/d/h0YjHzA

But sometimes if you can reseat the card first, then you can try to unlock the latch in the rear first and then try to see if you can pull the card straight out. Watch the latch though sometimes it may try to re latch while your trying to pull the card.

Is there a "trick" to removing video cards? I always seem to have trouble.

 

[Mugsy]

The plastic tab at the rear of the slot needs to be pressed down to release the gpu from the pcie slot. I often find that I press it but on trying to remove it can re engage so I find that keeping it depressed whilst removing he card helps.

I often just use my finger for this but it can depend on the board and cooler clearance sometimes.

As suggested a plastic tool can be used but obviously be careful as a slip could result in damaging the board. I would not use a metal screwdriver under any circumstances as the risk of a slip is too high

Thx for the reply.

I managed to reseat the card, but the clip/latch is locked in place so tight, it won't budge.

I've already tried pushing on it with a metal screwdriver and slipped multiple times. I'm not taking any more chances (computer is back up sans new M.2.. I'm on it now.)

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Is there a "trick" to removing video cards? I always seem to have trouble.

It really comes down to feeling things out and going slow. Until you know exactly how it’s set in there. Don’t force anything.

In my experience the key is don’t panic and watch what you’re doing carefully. Especially when you get into the large dual slot cards those things can be a beast.

 

[MEMOFLEX]

Thx for the reply.

I managed to reseat the card, but the clip/latch is locked in place so tight, it won't budge.

I've already tried pushing on it with a metal screwdriver and slipped multiple times. I'm not taking any more chances (computer is back up sans new M.2.. I'm on it now.)

Unfortunately when these tabs come apart and go back together they can be a bit of a pain. I have never had it happen on any of mine before but have been asked to help and they can be a right faff.

It is a slow and steady process. Ensure the card is fully seated in the slot as a misalignment can also cause the tab to feel locked. I would then look to try and press the tab down with your thumb whilst pulling the card upwards from a point that aligns with the centre of the card. A little wiggle can help but try to avoid putting much pressure on the pcie slot.

 

[John Chesterfield]

I've already tried pushing on it with a metal screwdriver

Don't use a metal screwdriver, wooden cutlery is ideal for this. You sometimes need to put quite a bit of pressure on and if you slip, metal can cause far more damage than wood. A round dowel is also an ideal tool.

 

[John Chesterfield]

To add, I use the handle of my wooden spoon for this. It's ideal and won't short anything out. Start pushing on that catch before then pulling on the card, the latch has to go in a bit first with the wooden spoon handle. Mine was stiff the first few times I removed the card, but it's freed up now and it's become really easy to swap out cards.