How to fix a case shorting a motherboard

[strummerdood]

So after failing to post when building inside the case, I did what I should've done originally and built outside the case. I got to the BIOs screen (which means I posted right?) and everything seems to work fine.

So now what do I do about the case? Is it an issue with the standoffs or screws or back panel? What should I be looking for? The case is a Phantom 240 and the motherboard is a MSI Z97 Gaming 5. I feel like I installed the standoffs correctly. I tightened them a lot but didn't force in the motherboard screws. The backpanel has foam but obviously I had to push hard against that to fit.

 

[makkem]

Hi
Most likely is a short from the bottom of the motherboard.
Make sure there is nothing between the motherboard and the case.
Make sure that the only standoffs you have are in the correct positions under a motherboard hole .

 

[alexoiu]

Don't put a standoff in each hole on the case, Check firstly the layout of the board.

 

[strummerdood]

I'm sure the standoffs are in the correct place. Should I re-screw them in anyway? Also, is it normal that I had to push a bit to get the motherboard in place against the back panel? Could it be something with the wires?

Here's the case and standoffs if it helps: http://imgur.com/zaF1lfN

Edit: I only put 9 standoffs in. That's how many the ATX board requires.

 

[alexoiu]

Standoffs are OK. Pushing a bit against the I/O shield shouldn't be an issue. Try installing it again.

 

[strummerdood]

Popped it out and put it back in. Should I just simply put the mobo back in and see if it powers up without any of the case wiring? Or should I do more like tapping over the standoffs with electrical tape?

 

[alexoiu]

Just put the motherboard back in, connect both 24 and 8 pin power cables, case power button and start the board. See if the fan does spin.

 

[strummerdood]

Will do. The I/O panel that came with the motherboard has foam padding over it. Should I keep or remove this?

 

[alexoiu]

Keep it. Just push a bit against.

 

[strummerdood]

One thing I noticed, the two screws under the chipset seem to protrude out pretty far. The right side of the mobo lifts up higher than the left. I think it's possible to screw them in more, but I know how sensitive the chip is. Could this be the problem?

EDIT: Pic of the screws on the box: http://imgur.com/8e4VK2M

 

[alexoiu]

Not sure I get the problem. The board is flat. In the picture it doesn't sit on board, but components underneath. When installed in the case, it would sit on standoffs/flat surface.

 

[strummerdood]

On the right side underneath the board, you can see two screws touching the box. I'm wondering if those shouldn't be screwed in further. I'm worried they're longer than the standoffs themselves.

Edit: Sorry if I'm annoying, I just want to cover my bases before reinstalling. I hate plugging in the 24 pin, lol.

 

[alexoiu]

Hard to distinguish them in the picture. Are they screws like
http://www.pcper.com/files/imagecache/article_max_width/review/2014-05-10/03-board-back-cpu.jpg ?

 

[strummerdood]

Yes, only they're underneath the chipset

 

[alexoiu]

I think that they are for the heatsink. If trying to tighten them, do they turn easy?

 

[strummerdood]

So everything seemed good until getting to the molex for the two fans. Every time I connected something, it would boot up. When I plug in the fans, the computer won't start. The two 3P connectors for the fans go into a 4P connector. Checked the 4P connector with a wire inspector and it seems like it works. Tried plugging only one fan into the 4P and neither work. So what should I be doing. Are both fans dead? Seems unlikely, right?

 

[alexoiu]

It could be a controller issue. As an option, you can use a fan controller:
http://www.newegg.com/Controller-Panels/SubCategory/ID-11

 

[strummerdood]

Yup, found the problem. i don't have a controller. I don't need it in the mobo. So now it works. Thanks for all the help!!

 

[alexoiu]

You're welcome.

 

[Egladios]

Yup, found the problem. i don't have a controller. I don't need it in the mobo. So now it works. Thanks for all the help!!

What was the problem, short underneath the chipset, or something else, and how did you overcome it ?

 

[USAFRet]

What was the problem, short underneath the chipset, or something else, and how did you overcome it ?

This thread is almost a decade old.