Specifications

CHAPTER 3

142

All About Motherboards

Here are the general steps for installing the motherboard in the case:

1. Install the I/O shield, which is a metal plate that comes with the motherboard and

fits over the ports to create a well-fitting enclosure for them. A case might come

with a standard I/O shield already in place (see Figure 3-43). But when you hold

the motherboard up to that shield, you can see the ports on the board will not fit

into the holes. Remove this I/O shield (for this particular case, you have to punch

it out). The I/O shield that comes packaged with the board can then be installed

(see Figure 3-44).

2. Some cases have standoffs, also called spacers, which are round plastic or metal pegs

that separate the motherboard from the case, so that components on the back of the

motherboard do not touch the case. Make sure the locations of the standoffs match

the screw holes on the motherboard (see Figure 3-45). If you need to remove a stand-

off to move it to a new slot, needle-nose pliers work well to unscrew or unplug the

standoff. The case will have more holes than you need to support several types of

Notes

Whenever you install or uninstall software or hardware, keep a notebook with details about

the components you are working on, conﬁguration settings, manufacturer speciﬁcations, and other

relevant information. This helps if you need to backtrack later, and can also help you document and

troubleshoot your computer system. Keep all hardware documentation for this system together with the

notebook in an envelope in a safe place.

Figure 3-43 The computer case comes with an installed I/O shield but it does not match up

with ports on the motherboard

Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

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