F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Could have damaged my motherboard

Could have damaged my motherboard

Could have damaged my motherboard

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gavin_shaka
Senior Member
535
05-09-2022, 03:27 PM
#1
Hello, I was replacing my CPU cooler with a 360AIO during an upgrade. While taking down the old tower cooler, a metal washer fell onto the motherboard and I never located it. I searched for hours, shook the whole system upside down, but didn’t find any sign of it. When I powered on, the fans and RGB activated, yet I never managed to boot. I went through standard checks—verified mounting pressure, re-seated CPU, RAM, removed all PCIe cards and RGB, turned off fans, tried starting without a cooler—and nothing worked. The CPU remained cool even without the cooler. As an electrical engineering student, I used a 12-bit 250MHz oscilloscope to test the motherboard power rails: voltages at 12V, 5V, 3V3, VCPU, RAM, socket, and 1V9 all normal. No damage or traces were visible. I also tested my GPU on another machine to confirm video output was fine. On the motherboard, I spotted a "DEBUG" port, thinking it could help with further testing, but no communication appeared on the bus. As someone on a budget, I’m hoping this doesn’t require replacing the whole system. My build has been reliable for years, and I’m determined to keep it running without a new motherboard.
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gavin_shaka
05-09-2022, 03:27 PM #1

Hello, I was replacing my CPU cooler with a 360AIO during an upgrade. While taking down the old tower cooler, a metal washer fell onto the motherboard and I never located it. I searched for hours, shook the whole system upside down, but didn’t find any sign of it. When I powered on, the fans and RGB activated, yet I never managed to boot. I went through standard checks—verified mounting pressure, re-seated CPU, RAM, removed all PCIe cards and RGB, turned off fans, tried starting without a cooler—and nothing worked. The CPU remained cool even without the cooler. As an electrical engineering student, I used a 12-bit 250MHz oscilloscope to test the motherboard power rails: voltages at 12V, 5V, 3V3, VCPU, RAM, socket, and 1V9 all normal. No damage or traces were visible. I also tested my GPU on another machine to confirm video output was fine. On the motherboard, I spotted a "DEBUG" port, thinking it could help with further testing, but no communication appeared on the bus. As someone on a budget, I’m hoping this doesn’t require replacing the whole system. My build has been reliable for years, and I’m determined to keep it running without a new motherboard.

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_STEVE_HD_
Member
69
05-12-2022, 01:57 PM
#2
Sure, I can help with that. Just let me know if you'd like me to capture an image of the inside.
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_STEVE_HD_
05-12-2022, 01:57 PM #2

Sure, I can help with that. Just let me know if you'd like me to capture an image of the inside.

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monkey_farz
Member
153
05-12-2022, 10:33 PM
#3
I'm pretty sure I've double verified everything, but here it is: and yes the GPU functions well and has sufficient mounting strength. Zip ties should do the trick! (I'll contact a machinist friend to create a custom plate for long-term use.)
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monkey_farz
05-12-2022, 10:33 PM #3

I'm pretty sure I've double verified everything, but here it is: and yes the GPU functions well and has sufficient mounting strength. Zip ties should do the trick! (I'll contact a machinist friend to create a custom plate for long-term use.)

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Aeronie
Member
59
05-13-2022, 07:45 AM
#4
I would simply remove the motherboard and shake it with the slots down—there might be debris stuck under a heatsink or a slot. Don't dismiss obvious issues like leaving the front panel header unplugged or misaligning connectors, which could prevent the PC from starting. Also consider pressing the reset button or shorting the reset pins by connecting an LED across the two pins in the front panel header. Don't forget to connect the CPU power cable and verify they fit into the PSU (if modular). Try using a screwdriver to briefly short the PS_On switch pins temporarily to see if the system starts.
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Aeronie
05-13-2022, 07:45 AM #4

I would simply remove the motherboard and shake it with the slots down—there might be debris stuck under a heatsink or a slot. Don't dismiss obvious issues like leaving the front panel header unplugged or misaligning connectors, which could prevent the PC from starting. Also consider pressing the reset button or shorting the reset pins by connecting an LED across the two pins in the front panel header. Don't forget to connect the CPU power cable and verify they fit into the PSU (if modular). Try using a screwdriver to briefly short the PS_On switch pins temporarily to see if the system starts.

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FlameSquid32
Senior Member
501
05-13-2022, 09:20 AM
#5
I plan to remove the mobile module and take off the heatsinks. It seems the washer could be jammed in the fan or heatsink assembly of the chipset. I’ve inspected all power cables and the front panel, and the BIOS is set to boot when power is applied, which is why I often use it for remote connections and sometimes experience power interruptions.
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FlameSquid32
05-13-2022, 09:20 AM #5

I plan to remove the mobile module and take off the heatsinks. It seems the washer could be jammed in the fan or heatsink assembly of the chipset. I’ve inspected all power cables and the front panel, and the BIOS is set to boot when power is applied, which is why I often use it for remote connections and sometimes experience power interruptions.

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nahte_ethan
Member
137
05-13-2022, 09:46 AM
#6
I attempted to remove the motherboard and scrub it more carefully, but I couldn't locate anything.
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nahte_ethan
05-13-2022, 09:46 AM #6

I attempted to remove the motherboard and scrub it more carefully, but I couldn't locate anything.