ASUS P4B533-VM MOBO Problem

[jw]

I have a ASUS P4B533-VM mobo that is facing me with a problem I have
not had before. The Northbridge controller has a heat sink held
tightly ontop of it with 4 very tense springees that clip onto 4 loops
sticking up from the mobo. Two of the 4 loops have pulled out of the
mobo enabling the heat sink to fly off its position.

I can't anchor the heat sink back down without these two wayward
loops, which I luckily have found. They are about 1/2" in size and
actually stick down into small holes in the mobo. I suspect the loop
ends protrude through the mobo and are probably held in place with
some sort of clips, which I do not have.

Has anyone out there encountered this problem? I am wondering if I
can buy whatever retention device I will need to grasp the loop ends,
or whether I can substitute something. Maybe I can buy two new loops
complete with the retention's?

I am going to lift the mobo out of the tower to get a peek at the
other two loop ends under the mobo to see what I need. I just thought
I would ask if anyone has had this problem or has advice.

As a sidebar, I have a separate AGP graphics card on this mobo. So, I
really do not need the on-board graphics. However, I get no raster,
so I have to assume that I need to cool the on-board controller
anyway.

Duke

 

[Paul]

I have a ASUS P4B533-VM mobo that is facing me with a problem I have
not had before. The Northbridge controller has a heat sink held
tightly ontop of it with 4 very tense springees that clip onto 4 loops
sticking up from the mobo. Two of the 4 loops have pulled out of the
mobo enabling the heat sink to fly off its position.

I can't anchor the heat sink back down without these two wayward
loops, which I luckily have found. They are about 1/2" in size and
actually stick down into small holes in the mobo. I suspect the loop
ends protrude through the mobo and are probably held in place with
some sort of clips, which I do not have.

Has anyone out there encountered this problem? I am wondering if I
can buy whatever retention device I will need to grasp the loop ends,
or whether I can substitute something. Maybe I can buy two new loops
complete with the retention's?

I am going to lift the mobo out of the tower to get a peek at the
other two loop ends under the mobo to see what I need. I just thought
I would ask if anyone has had this problem or has advice.

As a sidebar, I have a separate AGP graphics card on this mobo. So, I
really do not need the on-board graphics. However, I get no raster,
so I have to assume that I need to cool the on-board controller
anyway.

Duke

Some of those hooks, solder in place. The problem is,
the metal used for the hook wire, isn't primed with
tin and lead, like a resistor lead would be. And that
is why the solder doesn't stick to the loop that well.

And some idiot at the factory knows this. There is at
least one motherboard out there, where a clever designer
put a continuity checker circuit across the wire and hooks.
So they could detect if the retention mechanism ever
lets go. Wouldn't it have been more clever to put the
money into a proper fastener ?

Another technique used on thru-hole components, is to
bend the legs a bit, once they're shoved through the board.
That helps in some soldering processes, to prevent
components from floating out of their holds. Again,
the metal used in the hooks, is pretty stiff, and
maybe it is too hard to bend.

You could use the leg from a large thru-hole resistor.
As the power rating of the resistor goes up, so does
the gauge of the wire used on the end of it. You
can look at the products at Radio Shack, until you
spot a resistor with the right sized wire.

For example, if you cut the two legs off this, and
bent the metal into a U shape, you'd have something
pretty close to a hook. You'll need a good soldering
iron, to get enough heat to make a good solder joint.
While it may be tempting to burn the hell out of the
motherboard, remember that the foil on these motherboards
isn't that strong. Since I have a pretty poor collection
of soldering irons, I'd probably have to use my 80W one.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062291

*******

Motherboard designs vary a bit, in their built-in graphics
behavior. With an AGP motherboard having built-in graphics,
if you install an AGP card, the BIOS will likely decide to
shut off the built-in graphics output. And the manual may
not be too helpful in pointing out what the BIOS policy is.
Some more modern boards, leave the built-in running, when
you add a video card.

Paul

 

[jw]

Some of those hooks, solder in place. The problem is,
the metal used for the hook wire, isn't primed with
tin and lead, like a resistor lead would be. And that
is why the solder doesn't stick to the loop that well.

Hmmm. I guess I could try soldering the ends. I do have a small
iron.

And some idiot at the factory knows this. There is at
least one motherboard out there, where a clever designer
put a continuity checker circuit across the wire and hooks.
So they could detect if the retention mechanism ever
lets go. Wouldn't it have been more clever to put the
money into a proper fastener ?

Another technique used on thru-hole components, is to
bend the legs a bit, once they're shoved through the board.

The ends don't protrude very much (1/8 inch). is quite stiff, and may
not be bendable. Might try it though.

That helps in some soldering processes, to prevent
components from floating out of their holds. Again,
the metal used in the hooks, is pretty stiff, and
maybe it is too hard to bend.

You could use the leg from a large thru-hole resistor.
As the power rating of the resistor goes up, so does
the gauge of the wire used on the end of it. You
can look at the products at Radio Shack, until you
spot a resistor with the right sized wire.

Good idea. I'll check it out when I get a chance to break off staying
with my sick wife. On top of everything else now, I am having
problems myself - diarrhea. Ain't that wunnderful?

For example, if you cut the two legs off this, and
bent the metal into a U shape, you'd have something
pretty close to a hook. You'll need a good soldering
iron, to get enough heat to make a good solder joint.

I have a kit hardly used from Harbor Freight. Maybe about time I
tried it.

While it may be tempting to burn the hell out of the
motherboard, remember that the foil on these motherboards

Thanks for your ideas.

Duke