Scratched mobo traces with a screwdriver

[y2faulty]

So my idiot ass managed to scratch my 1month old mobo with a screwdriver :facepalm: there is a pretty evident scratch over some traces on the mobo between cpu, ram and the pci-express slot.

I'm currently typing from that same pc. Ran some Prime no problem, ran superposition, furmark and timespy, no problemo apparently.

Did the Silicon Gods save me or could it cause problems in the future?

(best pics I managed to get) :

 

[Bill_Bright]

You probably just scratched through the protective resin coating designed to keep air (oxygen) and moisture out. If me, since it appears all is still working, I would put a light coat of clear fingernail polish over it, then go buy a lottery ticket.

 

[eidairaman1]

Yeah you wont be able to warant that, if it doesnt work, find a pcb repair specialist like northidgefix

 

[freeagent]

I did something similar to my Strix B550-XE..

RIP to my board

Looks like yours should be ok

 

[Dr. Dro]

Bill's suggestion for fingernail polish is the correct repair for this. If you're zealous, you can replace the clear polish by more appropriate PCB varnish, it's specifically meant to isolate circuit boards and protect traces. You can find it at electronics stores. The PCB varnish application should last for the lifetime of the motherboard.

 

[FoulOnWhite]

Looks fine to me, as they say, only scratched the surface.

 

[:D:D]

Cant see copper in those pics so that's good. Looks like PCIe lanes, perhaps for M2 / first slot, which IINM is rated for gen 5. Can test and see if all lanes still train for those 2 devices but having gen 5 devices to test with is likely a problem.

 

[Bones]

If there was a problem to worry about, you woudn't have to ask in the first place - You'd know.

It's fine - Just do as suggested with nail polish and game on.

 

[Bill_Bright]

more appropriate PCB varnish, it's specifically meant to isolate circuit boards and protect traces.

Yes, PCB "conformal coating" specifically designed for circuits boards is the most appropriate method to reseal/repair such damage. This is what we use here in the shop. But as you can see, it is not cheap. If you do a lot of circuit board repairs as a shop might, then for sure, I would recommend MG Chem's Premium Acrylic. It is good stuff and has a service temperature up to 125°C. There are other formulas for use up to 200°C, but the damage in this case is no where near those kind of temps, so not applicable here.

THEREFORE, I still recommend clear fingernail polish in this case because, for a one-time use, it makes the most economical sense while still being totally effective. Odds are, the OP has a housemate or family member in the same house, or a friend or neighbor who already has a bottle of clear fingernail polish who will let them have a small dab, for free.

Plus, acrylic nail polish is very durable (once cured), heat tolerant, and (because the repair area is not subject to flexing) is unlikely to crack or flake off during the life of the board - and beyond.

 

[y2faulty]

sooo... "tis but a scratch" ?

I'll do the nail polish thing

Cant see copper in those pics so that's good. Looks like PCIe lanes, perhaps for M2 / first slot, which IINM is rated for gen 5. Can test and see if all lanes still train for those 2 devices but having gen 5 devices to test with is likely a problem.

it's a b650 tomahawk so onli gen 4 . I already tested the parts - I mean, the ssd is working and the gpu is boosting sooo - or is there some other test I could do? maybe crystaldiskmark the disk? :uhm:

 

[ty_ger]

Looks fine to me. Just a scratch in the solder mask.

 

[freeagent]

I would just run it.

 

[chrcoluk]

Yeah if its working, just keep using it.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Nobody is saying don't use it. But since from here, we cannot see exactly how deep the scratch is, we don't know if it has exposed the actual conductive materials. Therefore, to prevent even the possibility of corrosion forming in the future and eating through the traces, it is best and proper thing to do is to seal out any air now, while the scratch is still fresh before it has a chance of becoming even more contaminated from moisture, kitchen smoke and oils, skin oils and other crud floating around in the air.

 

[Ferrum Master]

RIP to my board

Repair it. You are not that young to have hands growing out of the place where it usually does and not from where it was meant to be.

I see no shiny copper, just cosmetics, paint, coating. No issues.

 

[freeagent]

Repair it. You are not that young to have hands growing out of the place where it usually does and not from where it was meant to be.

I see no shiny copper, just cosmetics, paint, coating. No issues.

My damage would have to be fixed by a professional. The area took a hit more than thrice.

 

[Ferrum Master]

My damage would have to be fixed by a professional. The area took a hit more than thrice.

Don't overrate it. Either way, any phone repair tech can do it for cheap as long you give the board taken apart and point the finger where to put solder bridges... put some UV cured enamel and you are good.

It kinda sounds like those cases where the victim accidentally fell on the knife 20 times

 

[Noci]

sooo... "tis but a scratch" ?

I'll do the nail polish thing

When your at it, do your nails too, nobody here will hold it against you

 

[Zyll Goliat]

It's Nothing.....It's just a scratch......

 

[freeagent]

Don't overrate it. Either way, any phone repair tech can do it for cheap as long you give the board taken apart and point the finger where to put solder bridges... put some UV cured enamel and you are good.

It kinda sounds like those cases where the victim accidentally fell on the knife 20 times

Yeah pretty much.. the last time was the final time. I probably smacked it like 20 times.. just trying out different system configurations.

Fix it till its broke

 

[inquisitor1]

pc is gone. dont worry, you can send the pc here, well "recycle" it free of charge.

joking aside, I had to look multiple times to see what the hubbubs about.

 

[eidairaman1]

sooo... "tis but a scratch" ?

I'll do the nail polish thing


it's a b650 tomahawk so onli gen 4 . I already tested the parts - I mean, the ssd is working and the gpu is boosting sooo - or is there some other test I could do? maybe crystaldiskmark the disk? :uhm:

Send it

 

[Launcestonian]

Oh, that's not so bad, its all working fine going by the remarks in this thread... imagine bending a pin or two in the LGA socket! have fun fixing that.

 

[Ruru]

Managed to scratch deeper on a B550M Aorus Elite when installing a waterblock and the board went totally dead. Ended up selling that as broken for 20EUR and got a new one. This time I installed the block without any hurry etc.

 

[D007]

Lol chill bro. It looks fine.. Take a deep breath.