Removing pre-installed M.2 standoffs?

[jsh0]

Please take a look at the thread below since I have the exact same motherboard, Gigabyte B450 Aorus Pro Wifi.

 

There's a pre-installed M.2 standoff in the M2A_SOCKET in the 110 hole, problem is, I need it in the 80.

 

Just as the guy mentioned, I tried to remove it with my fingers and that thing is solid, I couldn't move it and began to wonder...

Is it possible to remove it?

 

I don't want to break it, any help? Do I just try harder? I'm trying to turn it anti-clockwise.

 

 

 

[jsh0]

@Senzelian Hi, you were on the original thread, but the Original Poster didn't came back.

 

Is it safe to say that those can be removed? I wanna be sure before I turn it harder

[8-Bit Ninja]

6 minutes ago, jsh0 said:

@Senzelian Hi, you were on the original thread, but the Original Poster didn't came back.

 

Is it safe to say that those can be removed? I wanna be sure before I turn it harder

Usually they have a slot in the top for you to use a flathead to remove. They unscrew like anything else. 

[jsh0]

@8-Bit Ninja I'm not sure what you mean, could you please take a look at the image attached to this post?

 

Do I just turn it harder anti-clock wise? I fear that it is welded to the MOBO or something

 

[Senzelian]

6 minutes ago, jsh0 said:

@8-Bit Ninja I'm not sure what you mean, could you please take a look at the image attached to this post?

 

Do I just turn it harder anti-clock wise? I fear that it is welded to the MOBO or something

Check your manual. (I wish I could check it myself, but Gigabyte denies me access to their support page. Fuck Gigabyte, they suck ass)

 

There should be a section in there on how you are supposed to install a M.2 SSD. Some motherboards come with additional standoffs, on some others you need to remove a pre-installed one. 

 

This one I must admit does look a bit strange. I'd think it's simply screwed in, but can't say for sure. Maybe take a look at the back of the board, whether you can see a nut or a rivet or something similar.

[jsh0]

5 minutes ago, Senzelian said:

Check your manual.

 

There should be a section in there on how you are supposed to install a M.2 SSD. Some motherboards come with additional standoffs, on some others you need to remove a pre-installed one. 

 

This one I must admit does look a bit strange. I'd think it's simply screwed in, but can't say for sure. Maybe take a look at the back of the board, whether you can see a nut or a rivet or something similar.

Oh man that's so sad to read I'd have to remove everything once again as everything is in place, but the GPU

[Senzelian]

1 minute ago, jsh0 said:

Oh man that's so sad to read I'd have to remove everything once again as everything is in place, but the GPU

What does the manual say?

[Dedayog]

2 minutes ago, jsh0 said:

Oh man that's so sad to read I'd have to remove everything once again as everything is in place, but the GPU

It's most likely just screwed in like ever other standoff on the board.  Try pliers and a little oomph.  PC stuff RARELY ever uses a locking nut.

[Alex Atkin UK]

I know the ones on my ASUS board didn't seem to come off and the manual makes no mention of removing them.  I suspect it MUST do though, as while its fine for my M.2 drive, one with NAND on both sides wouldn't fit without removing it.

[jsh0]

21 minutes ago, Senzelian said:

What does the manual say?

It does mention to screw the additional standoffs that come in the package, but I don't have those, it doesn't mention anything regarding removing the current ones

 

19 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

It's most likely just screwed in like ever other standoff on the board.  Try pliers and a little oomph.  PC stuff RARELY ever uses a locking nut.

I was googling about the M.2 standoffs for my MOBO and seems I wasn't the only one with this question, the bad thing is... I didn't find a single user success story, only posts saying they couldn't remove it

 

[Senzelian]

5 minutes ago, jsh0 said:

It does mention to screw the additional standoffs that come in the package, but I don't have those, it doesn't mention anything regarding removing the current ones

I guess that's your answer then.
You can still install your M.2 SSD without the standoff, if you have something to hold it down, like either a heatsink or some electrical tape for example. That will do for the time being. In the meantime you should contact Gigabyte support. 

[Alex Atkin UK]

7 minutes ago, jsh0 said:

It does mention to screw the additional standoffs that come in the package, but I don't have those, it doesn't mention anything regarding removing the current ones

 

I was googling about the M.2 standoffs for my MOBO and seems I wasn't the only one with this question, the bad thing is... I didn't find a single user success story, only posts saying they couldn't remove it

 

Yeah its why I didn't try too hard with mine, I figured if its not finger tight then it doesn't come out as you NEVER screw anything into a motherboard more than finger tight as it can crush the layers.

[jsh0]

10 minutes ago, Senzelian said:

I guess that's your answer then.
You can still install your M.2 SSD without the standoff, if you have something to hold it down, like either a heatsink or some electrical tape for example. That will do for the time being. In the meantime you should contact Gigabyte support. 

I still have the heatsink that fits the 110 size, problem is my NVMe is shorter (80 size)

 

Are you saying that its safe to use electrical tape to attach the NVMe to the heatsink? 100% safe?

[Blue4130]

1 hour ago, jsh0 said:

I still have the heatsink that fits the 110 size, problem is my NVMe is shorter (80 size)

 

Are you saying that its safe to use electrical tape to attach the NVMe to the heatsink? 100% safe?

It's safe, but it's not going to work. Electrical tape has shit ability to stay sticky when heated.It's just going to make a mess.

 

Do you even need to screw the m.2 down? In my board you put the m.2 in without a screw and then screw the heatsink down. It holds the m.2 down.

[jsh0]

@Blue4130 I need the standoff since in my MOBO the M.2 connector its a bit up, without the standoff the NVMe disconnects.

 

Worst part is I just called a bunch of IT / hardware stores and they don't have anything similar... oh my god.

 

[Dedayog]

12 hours ago, jsh0 said:

@Blue4130 I need the standoff since in my MOBO the M.2 connector its a bit up, without the standoff the NVMe disconnects.

 

Worst part is I just called a bunch of IT / hardware stores and they don't have anything similar... oh my god.

 

Seriously did you try pliers, towel maybe and some actual force?

 

[BuyThisChair]

On 10/27/2021 at 5:28 AM, Dedayog said:

Seriously did you try pliers, towel maybe and some actual force?

 

I tried force on mine. It peeled off like it was adhered on. No chance this is gonna fit the other holes. These shouldn't be removed

[Blue4130]

1 hour ago, BuyThisChair said:

I tried force on mine. It peeled off like it was adhered on. No chance this is gonna fit the other holes. These shouldn't be removed

 

 

 

 

 

Like I mentioned in my post. It is not supposed to be removed. The heatsink screws into the 110 hole and secures the m.2 in place. Now you can't use the factory heatsink.