How to remove a stuck stand-off from a case and motherboard?

[TheNamelessOne]

Please read before replying with "Just hold the stand-off and then unscrew the screw from the other side". I can't do that.

I bought a Fractal Design R6 and a Gigabyte motherboard, I had to remove one of the stand-offs that came pre-installed with the case because maybe some of you know Gigabyte puts one of their holes in the wrong place. Anyway, I removed it and put it back where it should be and installed the motherboard.

Thing is then I wanted to take the motherboard out to be 110% sure that I there weren't any other stand-offs hitting the board. I checked before like 5 times, but I'm paranoid and wanted to check again.

I'm sure there aren't any stand-offs hitting it, but again I'm paranoid.

 

Thing is when I tried to take the motherboard out, one of the screws unscrewed the stand-off. Not the one I installed, but the one on the left side, the one where the PCI slots are.

I tried to unscrew it but it kept making noises, like a pop, so I stopped. I tried to take the motherboard out, but it's stuck. So I assume the screw is stuck in the stand off while the stand off is stuck in the case. I can't psychically reach the stand off to hold it in place so I can unscrew it.

How do I remove it? How can I take the motherboard out without damaging it? Do I just have to unscrew the screw which will force the stand-off to unscrew itself and then be careful while pulling the motherboard? 

 

 

[Noirgheos]

If I understand correctly, a standoff screw is stuck threaded through one of the motherboard screw-holes?

 

If so, some pliers with a decent grip may be able to force the screw out, but you run the risk of destroying the thread. 

[TheNamelessOne]

1 minute ago, Noirgheos said:

If I understand correctly, a standoff screw is stuck threaded through one of the motherboard screw-holes?

 

If so, some pliers with a decent grip may be able to force the screw out, but you run the risk of destroying the thread. 

You mean just grab the screw and pull on it? So basically loosen the screw with the screw driver and then pull on it? Won't that force the stand-off to came out as well? Which may result in damage to the board?

[Noirgheos]

1 minute ago, TheNamelessOne said:

You mean just grab the screw and pull on it? So basically loosen the screw with the screw driver and then pull on it? Won't that force the stand-off to came out as well? Which may result in damage to the board?

You can latch onto the screw with the pliers and twist it, to force it to come out. It's a very rough method, and almost guarantees the thread becoming unusable later on. 

[Slottr]

hold the standoff with pliers, either from between the motherboard and case, or from the backside of the case. Then take out the screw.

[Tristerin]

Your case doesn't have a side panel to pull off for cable management to see the stand off?  It should, and Id go from that route and use a sharp instrument to loosen the case material around it to allow it to easily pull free.  My 2 copper coins

[TheNamelessOne]

1 minute ago, Tristerin said:

Your case doesn't have a side panel to pull off for cable management to see the stand off?  It should, and Id go from that route and use a sharp instrument to loosen the case material around it to allow it to easily pull free.  My 2 copper coins

YES it does. I didn't even realize this. Thank you so much.

Seriously it didn't even cross my mind.

[Tristerin]

4 minutes ago, TheNamelessOne said:

YES it does. I didn't even realize this. Thank you so much.

Seriously it didn't even cross my mind.

Rather than loosen the material off the standoff Id try this first

 

8 minutes ago, Slottr said:

hold the standoff with pliers, either from between the motherboard and case, or from the backside of the case. Then take out the screw.