BIOS issues and an odd mark on the motherboard case
BIOS issues and an odd mark on the motherboard case
I observed some unusual actions from my motherboard when using my microphones. My camera mic and independent microphone didn’t work with the camera app. In BIOS, it kept freezing badly. After taking apart the computer, I examined the back of the motherboard near the VRM and iio, I noticed a liquid stain. It felt slightly slippery and seemed to be coming from a component on the back panel. See the photos. What’s going on? Based on what I saw, it looks like the fluid is moving along the traces toward the bottom of the motherboard. The metal strip on the right rear side is the back I/O shielding.
The issue appears to be related to residue buildup on motherboards after soldering. Many boards I've purchased recently show leftover material. The BIOS stuttering seems to occur only when using the mouse or moving the keyboard, not consistently.
The "stain" refers to the oils from thermal pads on the VRM. It's non-conductive and poses no concern.