PC Ground Issue Help

[bailojustin]

OK, so straight to the point, I am extremely computer savvy, I usually am the one helping others but today I have an issue.

I am working on a project, I do not want to get into much detail but my issue is this project uses a small type of motherboard, A pico board.

I have installed this board into the computer case along with other components, The problem arises

When I hook up the switches I made to the power in and ground posts on the board like a normal front panel connect switch, Just a modified momentary switch end.

I have bolted the computer to the case through carious holes on the inside, I use 3d printer washers and backplates though, So its not a solid connection to the board, I need help finding out how to get it properly grounded so I don't burn it out when I power it on.

The first time I attempted, I ended up burning out a $500 pico board, Im pretty sure it was a short in the board to something, maybe even the power plug, IM not sure. So after this happened, I could not afford another 500$ mistake, So I created a ground, Shaved the case paint, Equipped a grounding bar.

To this grounding bar, I have a 14g wire with a ring terminal on one end and the wire on the other connected to the ground bar, the ring terminal connected to the motherboard with a spacer behind it and a lock nut to secure everything down.

So everytime i turn it on, it will either not power on properly, or the board will then lose ALL power, no standby light or anything, light its shorting to ground, Not sure.

Please someone advise me on the proper and 100% way to do this.

I have tested it, the boards set up this way do work, just sometimes they don't like now, and I need to eliminate this problem, Im going to attach ma crap picture I drew for reference.

crappy reference picture

 

[maugusto]

can you specify the motherboard?

 

[bailojustin]

I can't specify the motherboard my apologies, I just needed others input on how the grounding situation looks, If i even ned a ground, Or if I should just keep the boards themselves isolated in the case.

The ring terminal on the boards do have the grounding connections, Small silver solders around them coming from the traces.

Basically, is it better if I ground them through the compression with washer to the board itself like that of a standoff on a tower.

Or should I just use insulated washers and not ground it to the case?

 

[maugusto]

usually ground comes from the negative wires of the motherboard, so its better to do a full isolated motherboard with plastic standoffs

 

[bailojustin]

I did do this, the reason I am asking is I managed to short one on start, I don't see how, so I feel like I should just ground the board itself to the case, like we do with standoffs in atx.