stupid question What to do with the pins on the back of the I/O motherboard shield?

[OP riahc3 440]

Hello,

This is one of the dumbest questions Im going to ask but I dont remember...

The back of the I/O shield has pins sticking out. I dont remember if I should open them up, close them up or just break them off. They are suppose to "stick" to the motherboard but Ive opened them wide and they still dont.

What should I do? Im about to break them off because its taking way too much time...

Thank you

[Xahid 4,128]

if you don't open them, how do you suppose to use the i/o connections ?

they should be open to the outer side, here is quick picture to understand.

 

[OP riahc3 440]

Hello,

if you don't open them, how do you suppose to use the i/o connections ?

they should be open to the motherboard side, here is quick picture to understand.

 

Problem is when I open them, 2 USB blocks "distrub" each other, so to speak.....

I think I opened it on my Asus and it worked. But on this MSI its hell...

[Xahid 4,128]

I just edited I thought you were talking about other metallic plate,

But I/O that I/O shield, you can cut the disturbing parts.

[OP riahc3 440]

Hello,

These are the pins and shield:

Can I cut these off?

[OP riahc3 440]

Hello,

I know the picture is horrrible but you can see the pins near te audio jacks....

[slamfire92 617]

Hello,

Problem is when I open them, 2 USB blocks "distrub" each other, so to speak.....

I think I opened it on my Asus and it worked. But on this MSI its hell...

What do you mean by "disturb"?

 

What is the point of those metal tabs touching the I/Os anyway? Are they for stabilization? They do make motherboard insertion a pain sometimes.

 

LOL! That pic of yours is about as high quality as a typical UFO pic.

[OP riahc3 440]

Hello,

What do you mean by "disturb"?

 

What is the point of those metal tabs touching the I/Os anyway? Are they for stabilization? They do make motherboard insertion a pain sometimes.

 

LOL! That pic of yours is about as high quality as a typical UFO pic.

Well, one tab is suppose to be between the 2 USB blocks but the other tab on the other block, blocks it....hard to describe.

Can I snap (most) of them off?

[Xahid 4,128]

Hello,

I know the picture is horrrible but you can see the pins near te audio jacks....

 

Yes, of course, you can  cut them off, they are not necessarily to be there (IMO)

[djdanster 594]

It was my understanding that it was part of grounding the case from the motherboard.

[Liana 155]

If they are interfering with your USB ports or causing problems with inserting your motherboard properly, you can break them off. It's really not a big deal. :)

[Liana 155]

It was my understanding that it was part of grounding the case from the motherboard.

It's there to support the motherboard and provide stability when connecting and disconnecting peripherals.

[Eric 1,255]

Post #3 shows where the contacts properly go. They're supposed to touch the I/O port shields. I wouldn't break them off as they provide grounding.

If they're facing outward you've put the shield in backwards. :p

[Neu B 93]

It's for grounding. You need to leave them on.

[vcfan 2,321]

if you cut the tabs and don't properly ground your mobo, one day while you're plugging in a usb cable, static electricity is going to fry your board.

[jasondefaoite 187]

It's there to support the motherboard and provide stability when connecting and disconnecting peripherals.

 

It's for grounding as mentioned. You may have issues meeting the radiated emissions limits (FCC, CE) without them, plus you run the risk of killing the motherboard from static electricity.

[OP riahc3 440]

Hello,

Well one tab broke sadly, but Ive manged to more or less, fit it....

Does Asus have a different system? Im sure it wasnt as hard on my Asus board :S strange...

Next challenge is lineing up the screws...

Thread can be closed

[+FiB3R 1,601]

Would have been good to see some more pics, to see exactly what is going on here.

[Steven P. 6,304]

Thread can be closed

Hello,

 

Before I close this can you please select a Best Answer, therer are several already on Page 1.

 

Thanks,

Steve P.

[threetonesun 1,205]

What do you mean by "disturb"?

 

What is the point of those metal tabs touching the I/Os anyway? Are they for stabilization? They do make motherboard insertion a pain sometimes.

 

LOL! That pic of yours is about as high quality as a typical UFO pic.

 

It's for grounding.

[+Mirumir 3,920]

There's no such a thing as a stupid question.

 

Please don't hesitate to ask :)

[slamfire92 617]

It's for grounding.

Isn't the board grounded when plugged into the PSU?

[snaphat (Myles Landwehr) 414]

Isn't the board grounded when plugged into the PSU?

 

Yeah, I'm not really sure why everyone said the I/O shield is for grounding. Looks like some kind of common myth to me. I suppose, it could be used to ground to the case, but it doesn't particular make much sense since motherboards are designed with multiple grounds already and PSU has a grounded plug. Moreover, if the PSU wasn't grounded and then you tried to use the case as a ground, you could potentially electrocute/shock yourself if something touched and high voltage/current started moving through the case.

 

Also, this sums up what it is for: http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/9850/what-is-the-purpose-of-an-io-shield-on-a-computer-case

[+warwagon 7,452]

A few of my machines are missing the shield completely. lol.

[Mindovermaster 536]

I don't have one on my server, lost it somewhere along the line. It's not meant for grounding, it just protects your board from dust. They added clips for an easier fit.