Asus Maximus VII Formula - Bent pins and 2 dimm slots dead

[Stinoo]

I just bought a partially broken Asus Maximus VII Formula for € 70,-.
It has 3 bend motherboard socket pins, but a processor still makes contact with them so it does still function properly (According to the seller).
Another problem is that memory socket A1 and A2 don't function and show the error code 55 on the motherboard display.
The other two memory slots work just fine. He says the two broken DIMMs were already broken when he received the motherboard, but I find that hard to believe.

I know it's a risky purchase but for that money I just had to give it a try.
I can't let such a beautiful armored up motherboard go to waste 😄

Below I've uploaded some pictures that show the motherboard and the socket.
I haven't received the motherboard yet, but the pins don't look entirely lost yet.
The bent pin on the top is easy to spot, but the others are barely visible from what I can see.

Does anyone have any experience with pushing pins back to their place?
I'd reckon that a plastic toothpick and a magnifying glass + a good lamp and some patience can fix these pins.





Any insight / ideas from the ROG experts is welcome 🙂

[bmac1191]

The problem with the memory slots is caused by the bent pins.. they are not ok. This is the most typical problem when you have bent pins and/or bad contact/uneven mount.

Get a very bright flashlight that you don't have to hold, a magnifying glass, and a sewing pin/safety pin. It can be fixed if you have steady hands. I've done it before.

Its hard to see in the picture, but only the top one looks really bad. You have to look at the pins from 360 degrees to verify they are straight.

[Stinoo]

Thanks a lot for the answer bmac1191!
The seller claims he bend the pins when trying to fix the memory slots, but I somehow find that hard to believe..
I'm not sure how one bends pins when 'fixing' DIMM slots.

I probably receive the board tuesday and I might try to fix the pins on my own.
I also had contact with a mobile phone fixing store and they told me I can bring the motherboard in any time so they can try to fix it..
They have better tools and probably more experience in fixing electronic devices, especially really tiny parts 🙂
I might prefer that over trying it myself.

[libremaster]

Let us know how it goes!

[FZero]

If you can get it working again that would be amazing ! Let us know what happend.

[Stinoo]

I e-mailed my local hardware store if they could assist in repairing the pins, their answer:

" Our experience is that bending the pins back doesn't make the motherboard work again.
We've had bad experiences with it and we stopped trying to fix bend pins.
Perhaps you could find someone else who has the guts to fix them, I wish you luck".

Hmm I can understand it's risky, but right now it's not even safe to use the motherboard.
Moreover, the motherboard pins aren't some sort of magical parts. It's just pins that connect to the processor.

The good news however is that I also e-mailed a random local jewelry (Gold- and silver smith) and he responded as I hoped he would:

"We could of course see if we can manage to fix it, something else than jewelry is always fun to try!
We're closed on mondays, but you can just drop by at any time."

I'll probably receive the motherboard tomorrow and I'll inspect the damage, my biggest concern is the upper pin. It seems pretty bend up.
But then again it isn't bend thát badly, it's not in a 90 or 180 degree angle yet 🙂

Between trying to fix it myself or handing it over to the goldsmith it seems wiser to actually hand it over to them..
They'll have more tools and experience than me when it comes to fixing small parts.

I'll keep you guys posted, I'll do everything in my power to revive this beautiful motherboard!

[libremaster]

Stinoo wrote:
I

"We could of course see if we can manage to fix it, something else than jewelry is always fun to try!
We're closed on mondays, but you can just drop by at any time."

I like the spirit 🙂

[Budge4]

I had similar problem with an oldish Asrock Extreme 9, was putting the plastic cpu cover back in after going back to Asus m/b and somehow it ended up bending a few socket pins (wished id left cpu socket "protective" cover off now lol). Jeweler sounds a good idea, may try that if I ever go back to the Asrock, that's very doubtful though.

[Puffnstuff]

You know on socket 1150 the cover goes on the outside and should never get close to the pins.

[Budge4]

Puffnstuff wrote:
You know on socket 1150 the cover goes on the outside and should never get close to the pins.

Yep I realise that now Puffnstuff. I had a durr moment 🙂

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Nice one with the m/b Stinoo, may try same with the old Asrock.