Motherboard won’t power up if I use mounting screws?

[JamesP88]

Hello,

Sorry for the long title.

I am having a rather weird issue which I assume has something to do with grounding?

I’m running a mining rig with a metal chassis. The system will not power up, unless I push quite firmly down on the motherboard where the main mobo power connector is and then it fires up and works until I let go.

I understand this is not good practise to do but does this explain what is causing the problem? I see sparks below the power connector underneath the mobo as it touches the chassis and everything powers up. Then I let go and it stops working.

Any ideas guys?

Kind Regards,
James

[JamesP88]

Here are some pictures. The rig, a picture of the main power connection and underneath if those silver pins touch the black metal chassis it works.



https://ibb.co/TH7mTY7
https://ibb.co/Bzfb5q0
https://ibb.co/3BDkySV

[JamesP88]

Ok obviously I should be using my mounting screws but I have just attempted to fire up my mobo which lays flat on my crypto frame which is metal and it fires up fine. If I use the mounting screws it won’t start at all. Please can someone explain what is going on. What is the problem. What is causing this? Is it dangerous to not use the mounting screws and lay the mobo on my metal chassis which is flat and the mobo stays flat?

[JamesP88]

ASUs ROG 1200

[JamesP88]

It’s currently drawing 850-900w

[JamesP88]

I tried a Corsair 1600 and it made a bang when I tested it. Could this explain something 

[JamesP88]

I’m so confused as to why this ASU’s ROG works fine but only without the mounting screws 

[JamesP88]

I have it laying on one mounting screw and the rest of the mobo just on the metal frame is this dangerous it’s running fine …

[heimdali]

What do you expect when you put a mainboard on a metal surface and then power it up?  I'd expect it to be damaged beyond repair because it's shorted out.

 

[JamesP88]

https://ibb.co/QjHBhks
https://ibb.co/Y0MHgjr
 

as you can see literally 1 mounting screw and it works. If I use any more it doesn’t … really confused never has this issue. Ordered a new mobo just in case but if anyone has any ideas if this is safe I would love the feedback guys thanks so much 

[JamesP88]

Sorry Hemdali I’m just a little naive here. I guess I should throw this mobo out and replace it? Is there any explanation though? Sorry I don’t mean to be so stupid which obviously I am. I just don’t understand what’s going on. Thanks for replying though

[JamesP88]

Could it be something else causing it I don’t want to waste money on a mobo if it’s something else

[Middcore]

4 minutes ago, JamesP88 said:

Sorry Hemdali I’m just a little naive here. I guess I should throw this mobo out and replace it? Is there any explanation though? Sorry I don’t mean to be so stupid which obviously I am. I just don’t understand what’s going on. Thanks for replying though

 

Use the quote function when you reply to people so they get a notification. 

[JamesP88]

1 minute ago, Middcore said:

 

Use the quote function when you reply to people so they get a notification. 

A right ok mate thanks new here cheers for the info 

[JamesP88]

12 minutes ago, heimdali said:

What do you expect when you put a mainboard on a metal surface and then power it up?  I'd expect it to be damaged beyond repair because it's shorted out.

 

 

Sorry Hemdali I’m just a little naive here. I guess I should throw this mobo out and replace it? Is there any explanation though? Sorry I don’t mean to be so stupid which obviously I am. I just don’t understand what’s going on. Thanks for replying though 

[heimdali]

Well, all the mainboards I have seen have so far have soldering points and such at their back sides, and when the boards are being powered, there will be current at those points.  When you put the board on a metal surface, it is very likely that current will flow between the points on the back of the board through the metal suface, as such a surface is usually conductive.  That current flows in unforseen ways through the mainboard and thus through the components and is very likely to damage them.  What did you think what's causing the sparks?

 

Maybe you're lucky that the board isn't damaged yet, maybe not.  Apparently it's still working when you're shorting out something around the power connector by pressing down on it ...

 

[JamesP88]

7 minutes ago, heimdali said:

Well, all the mainboards I have seen have so far have soldering points and such at their back sides, and when the boards are being powered, there will be current at those points.  When you put the board on a metal surface, it is very likely that current will flow between the points on the back of the board through the metal suface, as such a surface is usually conductive.  That current flows in unforseen ways through the mainboard and thus through the components and is very likely to damage them.  What did you think what's causing the sparks?

 

Maybe you're lucky that the board isn't damaged yet, maybe not.  Apparently it's still working when you're shorting out something around the power connector by pressing down on it ...

 

Yeah ok I see what I did was silly but besides my very silly behaviour as I should have known better. What would explain the system not even powering up when standing on the motherboard mounting points raised up? It won’t fire up at all. Nothing happens at all when I attempt to switch it on. Any ideas pal?

 

I mean I could purchase another mobo and run into the same issue right? 
 

thanks for the help

Kind Regards

[heimdali]

If it doesn't power up at all, maybe the power switch doesn't work or it's wire is faulty, or the PSU doesn't work (but apparently it does) --- or the mainboard is broken.  You could put the board on a flat surface that isn't conductive and see if it works that way.  When it's on the non-conductive surface you could press on the power connector to see if that makes a difference.  Don't press too hard, though, for boards usually aren't entirely flat, and when you press on one, you can bend it which can damage the board by cracking something.

 

[JamesP88]

7 minutes ago, heimdali said:

If it doesn't power up at all, maybe the power switch doesn't work or it's wire is faulty, or the PSU doesn't work (but apparently it does) --- or the mainboard is broken.  You could put the board on a flat surface that isn't conductive and see if it works that way.  When it's on the non-conductive surface you could press on the power connector to see if that makes a difference.  Don't press too hard, though, for boards usually aren't entirely flat, and when you press on one, you can bend it which can damage the board by cracking something.

 

The power button defiantly works it’s integrated directly on the mobo and I’ve tested it. I’ll give the non conductive idea a shot, I really appreciate the help.

 

I assume a very thick piece of cardboard or even my wooden desk wood do the trick, and I’ll put the power plugs in carefully  

 

Kind Regards,

James

[heimdali]

Good luck

[JamesP88]

1 minute ago, JamesP88 said:

The power button defiantly works it’s integrated directly on the mobo and I’ve tested it. I’ll give the non conductive idea a shot, I really appreciate the help.

 

Kind Regards,

James

 

2 minutes ago, heimdali said:

Good luck

Cheers pal I appreciate the time, wooden desk should do the trick ?

[heimdali]

Sure, wood isn't really conductive ...

 

[JamesP88]

Just now, heimdali said:

Sure, wood isn't really conductive ...

 

just making sure I’ve made a few silly judgements already haha. Thanks again have a good day I’ll see what happens now

[JamesP88]

3 minutes ago, heimdali said:

Sure, wood isn't really conductive ...

 

It fires just fine in the wood, what is wrong with my chassis arrrrrh!!! ‍‍

[heimdali]

That's a good sign; I would think it's shorted out somehow when inside the case.