So I just built a new computer. The motherboard is in correctly, because it fits all of the open spots in the back of the casing perfectly. The problem is, I cant fit anything into the PCI slots. It seems like the cards I try to install only go halfway into the slot, then the little metal hook that screws the card in hits and I cant push the card in all of the way. Is the only solution to mangle the back of my case to make it fit properly? I cant move the motherboard any higher either, because then It wouldnt fit any of the pre-cut slots and I would have to cut it up then, too.

 

 

 

Thanks for helping.

PC cases are a standard size - is it possible you could take a picture of this? I think I know what you mean but it would make it far easier for us to help.

Once I get home tonight I will, right now the best description i can give is that it PCI cards dont physically fit, even though the motherboard is in correctly.

Do you mean the actual part you put in won't go all the way, or that your case doesn't have enough room in the case to fully fit?

 

 

 

 

 

I know that it kind of seemed like the last PCI thing I put into my PC (a new sound card) didn't fit in all the way but it worked just fine. Pictures would be a great help though. :thumbsup:

This is going to sound like a stupid question but, you did fit the motherboard spacers on the case? (The little screws which stop the back of the motherboard from touching the case)

 

If you did make 100% sure your trying to fit a PCI card in a PCI slot (a common mistake as some slots look similar), when you say it only fits half way in do you mean the front/back end or the whole card.

 

It would help if you stated the motherboard, case and card your trying to fit.

This is going to sound like a stupid question but, you did fit the motherboard spacers on the case? (The little screws which stop the back of the motherboard from touching the case)

 

 

 

Sadly both me and my dad were stumped when we were building my machine on this part. The motherboard wouldn't line up and we had no idea why, man we felt stupid when we found out what the cause was. :lol:

This is going to sound like a stupid question but, you did fit the motherboard spacers on the case? (The little screws which stop the back of the motherboard from touching the case)

 

 

 

I was thinking the same thing at first but I presume he did as he said it fits the slots in the back perfectly, this was my first thought as it would make the motherboard too low to get the cards in. I asked for a picture just for some further clarification before I posted it. :

This is going to sound like a stupid question but, you did fit the motherboard spacers on the case? (The little screws which stop the back of the motherboard from touching the case)

 

 

 

Sadly both me and my dad were stumped when we were building my machine on this part. The motherboard wouldn't line up and we had no idea why, man we felt stupid when we found out what the cause was. :lol:

 

 

 

I did that on my very first rig, somehow it caught fire :cry:

This is going to sound like a stupid question but, you did fit the motherboard spacers on the case? (The little screws which stop the back of the motherboard from touching the case)

 

 

 

Sadly both me and my dad were stumped when we were building my machine on this part. The motherboard wouldn't line up and we had no idea why, man we felt stupid when we found out what the cause was. :lol:

 

 

 

I did that on my very first rig, somehow it caught fire :cry:

 

 

 

It probably made your case into one giant motherboard. :lol: Can you imagine if the backplate was conductive (which it probably was if it caught fire)!

So turns out I didn't get the spacers sent with the mobo when it came in the mail. This being my first build job, I didnt even know they existed. I dd think it was strange to just place the mobo on the case though. Im going to Microcenter to buy the spacers in the morning. Could not using those have caused any serious damage to the mobo?

 

 

 

Also, even without the spacers my mobo fits into the back holes almost perfectly. The only thing that dont fit are the cards. Im just going to use my older computer until I get the spacers tomorrow.

all the spacers do is electrically isolate the motherboard from the case, to prevent the little exposed wires from touching the case and shorting out the board. It didn't fit because cases and motherboards are both designed for the spacers to be used - its assumed. As far as damage to the motherboard, it is possible, but not likely. The spacers are there more as insurance rather then being a required component, so the metal reinforcing pieces around the screws are usually isolated from the rest of the board.

Well the motherboard isnt actually touching the metal part of the case, its still raised slightly off it. Everything in the back of the case lines up perfectly. All of the USB's and VGA's and all that line up perfectly. You think Im ok? Or should I go buy the spacers just to be safe?

Well the motherboard isnt actually touching the metal part of the case, its still raised slightly off it. Everything in the back of the case lines up perfectly. All of the USB's and VGA's and all that line up perfectly. You think Im ok? Or should I go buy the spacers just to be safe?

buy the spacers, because even if it is "lined up properly" it's going to be a half cm difference, roughly, between where it is and where it should be... which is essentially your problem right now with cards not going all the way into their slots.

Spacers used to have two types, brass screwposts and plastic keyhole fitting sliders.

 

 

 

Now it's usually clip-in fittings which are often loose or have rotten threads.

 

 

 

Test the screws in your case fittings before use, and save the rather unreliable ones for steadying less important positions.