The Official Unofficial Frau Kaleun Destroys The World* Thread

[frau kaleun]

So I just started to unpack everything again to make sure I have everything I think I have, and I decide to pull the mobo out of its fancy antistatic bag or whatever the hell it's wrapped in. And one corner of it is just slightly bent and I think cracked right over the screw hole. It must've been boxed that way because IIRC the retail box was sealed and all the packaging was in great condition when I got it, including the bigger box that the retail box shipped in, which is why it didn't occur to me to go over every inch of the contents when I first received it. Stupid stupid stupid.

Of course it's now too late to return it to the retailer, so I'll have to deal with Asus. Started the procedure online but I've heard horror stories about stuff like this, not about Asus in particular but just in general.

[danasan]

Let's hope you get a new one, maybe as a gesture of goodwill.

If not, take a look at the backside. Have a look at the lanes there:



If they are intact and if it is an edge only and a screw hole, it might still work properly.

It's a shame. A really nice board you got there; we are paying around 100 EURO for them.

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by danasan

Let's hope you get a new one, maybe as a gesture of goodwill.

If not, take a look at the backside. Have a look at the lanes there:

If they are intact and if it is an edge only and a screw hole, it might still work properly.

It's a shame. A really nice board you got there; we are paying around 100 EURO for them.

The other question is whether or not it will still affix properly to the chassis with the corner bent back, I don't know if the spacers will raise it up off the panel enough to that all four corners can still be screwed down all the way.

Anyway I'm sure Asus isn't just going to replace it, they will want it sent back for "repair" and that would end up costing more than just buying another board if this one won't work. Plus take longer.


EDIT: so, assuming, the backside of the thing looks okay, what's the bare minimum of stuff I need to get hooked up to make sure it works? PSU, obviously, which I still have to order, and I guess the cables from the front panel power button and stuff... but other than that?

[CaptainHaplo]

To make it power up you will need a CPU in the socket. Don't even have to have the fan, but I wouldn't advise that. Seat the fan anyway, just dont use any thermal paste since its a quick test.

Nothing else should be needed. Mem, graphics, etc will all check during post - but if you get that far then you already know the board is likely ok so they don't need to be in.

Power on, watch for the cpu fan to stay spinning and powered. If it does, don't worry about POST beeps, just run it for a good 60 seconds and keep your eyes and ears open for smoke or odor. If you get that far, you probably are good.

If you are good - don't forget to go back and apply the thermal paste!

[frau kaleun]

Thanks. That reminds me I need to look at the CPU and fan to see if thermal paste is included, well it's not loose in the package or I would've seen it but it may be applied but covered with something that has to be removed? I dunno.

Heard from Asus and as I suspected physical damage isn't covered by the warranty, since they assume the user caused it otherwise it would've been returned to the retailer. And they want $120 to ship it to them for repair and return. Uh, no. I think I'll pass. The same board is for sale new on Amazon for half that, or at least was when I checked last night. I could get a different, newer board for less than that if it had everything I wanted.

Anyway I just got home and will probably be too tired to fool with it tonight. I'll just order the PSU now and then if the "working" parts of the board look okay on closer inspection I'll test it out and then I'll know what to do next.

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

To make it power up you will need a CPU in the socket. Don't even have to have the fan, but I wouldn't advise that. Seat the fan anyway, just dont use any thermal paste since its a quick test.

Nothing else should be needed. Mem, graphics, etc will all check during post - but if you get that far then you already know the board is likely ok so they don't need to be in.

Power on, watch for the cpu fan to stay spinning and powered. If it does, don't worry about POST beeps, just run it for a good 60 seconds and keep your eyes and ears open for smoke or odor. If you get that far, you probably are good.

If you are good - don't forget to go back and apply the thermal paste!

Thermal paste was pre-applied to the fan, so it was stick it in there and then do or die.

Turned it on, it ran and beeped like crazy, fan spinning fine. I let it run for a minute and no smoke or sparks or burning smells. I think I'm good.

Thanks for all your help so far, guys! Now comes the fun part... adding memory! Plugging in expansion cards! Seating all the drives! And best of all... CABLE MANAGEMENT!

But first... dinner.

[FIREWALL]

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

Thermal paste was pre-applied to the fan, so it was stick it in there and then do or die.

Turned it on, it ran and beeped like crazy, fan spinning fine. I let it run for a minute and no smoke or sparks or burning smells. I think I'm good.

Thanks for all your help so far, guys! Now comes the fun part... adding memory! Plugging in expansion cards! Seating all the drives! And best of all... CABLE MANAGEMENT!

But first... dinner.

I think my blood pressure dropped a few knotches after reading this post,

I have a gutt feeling it will be smooth sailing for you on this project.

Treat yourself to a couple of your favorite cocktails, put your feet up, and relax.

Hard as it maybe get , a good nites rest and, give it a fresh start tomorrow. If you have tv in your bedroom turn it on low volume and pick up a book your working on.

With dinner and a couple of cocktails in you and the above. Saturday will be here before you know it. Friday has been a full and successful day. Why spoil it now frau kaleun .

I know you'll have great news for all of us tomorrow.

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

I think my blood pressure dropped a few knotches after reading this post,

I know you'll have great news for all of us tomorrow.

TBH I don't know if I'll do anything more this weekend - tomorrow's jam-packed and Sunday will be everyday chores like laundry and groceries. But I can take it really slow now, because finishing the new build will eventually mean pulling some parts out of the current rig, which I'm not planning to do yet. I'll probably leave that until I have plenty of time to do all that and then get the new computer set up in the old one's place, which will mean moving a lot of stuff off my desk and getting all the cords and cables sorted and then putting everything back. That's a big job and not one that I can do in fits and starts if I have to be stepping over and around a lot of piled up stuff just to manage my normal workday routine. I have a whole network of shelves and hutches built up over my desk and everything will have to come off them so I can pull the desk out enough to work behind it. If I don't clear the shelves I end up with a constant stream of disgruntled action figures raining down on my head while I'm trying to work.

But I am taking off work the week of Labor Day, plus I'll have the weekend before and after. That was when I was originally planning to get it all ready to go anyway, so I'm actually ahead of schedule. And that will be a long stretch where I can make an ungodly mess in here and not have to worry about getting everything all put back and out of the way so I can find my work shoes the next morning.

[kiwi_2005]

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

So I just started to unpack everything again to make sure I have everything I think I have, and I decide to pull the mobo out of its fancy antistatic bag or whatever the hell it's wrapped in. And one corner of it is just slightly bent and I think cracked right over the screw hole. It must've been boxed that way because IIRC the retail box was sealed and all the packaging was in great condition when I got it, including the bigger box that the retail box shipped in, which is why it didn't occur to me to go over every inch of the contents when I first received it. Stupid stupid stupid.

Of course it's now too late to return it to the retailer, so I'll have to deal with Asus. Started the procedure online but I've heard horror stories about stuff like this, not about Asus in particular but just in general.

Try to stay calm next time opening up your mobo package, all that excitement can get the better of you.

Have to ask, are you wearing an antistatic wrist strap when handling your hddware - just to be safe.

[FIREWALL]

Get all your parts together and quit asking all these what if questions. Your going to be so confused you'll be spinning in circles by the time your ready to put this thing toghter.

Btw Not putting the paste on is FOOLISH. Use a quality paste such as" http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2883&CatId=503" and install fan.If the mobo works your not muscling off the fan to put the paste on and risking doing more damage to the mobo.

If the mobo is dead a little rubbing alcohol will cleanup CPU and Fan surfaces. Don't risk burning up your CPU. Don't you have enough problems with the mobo ? You may just get lucky with the mobo.

[Jan Kyster]

So... how's the destruction of the World going?

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

Of course it's now too late to return it to the retailer...

But why? Don't you have two years of warrenty? Or is it because you didn't report the problem immidiatly?
Why not try to tell the true story to retailer about your delay then? Could never hurt, and some of them are actually kind folks...

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

...is thermal paste included, well it's not loose in the package....

Normally it comes pre-applied to fan bottom.

Originally Posted by kiwi_2005

Have to ask, are you wearing an antistatic wrist strap when handling your hddware - just to be safe.

Don't listen to this sissy!

Common sense is all we need.

[danasan]

Originally Posted by Jan Kyster

So... how's the destruction of the World going?

snip

FK reworking edge and screw hole of the motherboard:



Image stolen here (nice read)

As long as you don't rub a cat for hours, there is no need for all that antistatic stuff. Edit:

[frau kaleun]

@danasan:

It looks like the bend/crack doesn't extend across any of the lanes on the back of the board, so I'll give it a shot. The first question will be if it can be screwed onto the chassis properly without it cracking more or the bend making it impossible to get it firmly seated.

I ordered the PSU and I should have it tomorrow. I can take a spare monitor/kb/mouse home from work to get started and see what happens with the mobo. The only thing I still want to order new is a kb & mouse, but that can wait. I may need cables to hook up drives if what I've got aren't as long as I'd like, but I won't know that til I get some components in place.

When I'm handling the sensitive hardware I always make sure to touch something else metallic first, I've never had any problems.

@Jan: I waited too long to look hard enough at the board to see the defect, so I'm long past Tiger Direct's return window. That was my mistake so I'm not gonna go back to them and cry about it.

And I do think the paste is already pre-applied to the fan.

[danasan]

Honestly, I would not use the screw hole in question at all. There should be around eight (?) holes more and that should be good enough to mount the motherboard. I would put a piece of rubber underneath that part of the motherboard so it cant bent.

[kiwi_2005]

Originally Posted by Jan Kyster

Don't listen to this sissy!

Common sense is all we need.

Better safe than sorry besides they only cost a few bucks, already shes had one issue with her hdd and no one is mentioning best to wear an anti static strap just to be safe. Cowboy techs! Also avoid when working with hddware any clothing that's wool, & standing on carpet they both create static. If wearing an anti static strap too uncool, then as mention touching a metal part will kill the static, temporary.