Bent pins

[OutSider420]

I’ve bent some pins on my XI Formula MB what are my options to repairing them?
Can I RMA and pay a fee to have them fixed or am I stuck trying to do it myself?
Or should I just accept the board is dead and move on?

[OutSider420]

So got back my repair fee. They want $98.98 plus another $50.00 to repair it.

I'd gladly pay this except for Any OUT OF WARRANTY repair fee(s) prescribed by ASUS and accepted by the customer is non-refundable and does not guarantee that repairs can be made.

So meaning I can pay the fees but they can turn around and not fix anything and I'm out $187.93.

What are the odds they won't be able to fix it? It's only a few bent pins. Should I pay or just accept the loss?

[XYchromosone]

OutSider420 wrote:

...... So meaning I can pay the fees but they can turn around and not fix anything and I'm out $187.93.

What are the odds they won't be able to fix it? It's only a few bent pins. Should I pay or just accept the loss?

Just how many pins are bent? can you count them accurately? If it's only a few pins, like 2 to 5 then why not give it a go at straightening them yourself. After all, they are already bent, so really you have nothing to lose if you decide to RMA. But what might be more worrying is the liquid metal that you said is in the socket, it is difficult to remove and also impossible to know you got it all out by just looking at it. You'll probably need a multi-meter and test for a complete short circuit between the pins where the LM was spilt.

If ASUS actually replace the socket then the problem should be resolved, otherwise they will face the same challenge as you would, if you decide to repair yourself, I'd say. Decisions decisions .... good luck ;}

[pndiode]

One or more of these Pro's Kit tools worked for me (about $3.00 each). I do not know where you can find them, but I picked them up in a computer/electronic store in Taiwan while on vacation .

(Right to left)
Pro'sKit MA-021 3.5X Handheld LED Light Magnifier with 2 LED Lights
PRO'SKIT - 1PK-112T Extremely Fine and sharp tip Tweezer (thinner than a needle and makes you bleed if pricked)
PRO'SKIT - 1PK-105T Fine Tip Straight Tweezer (thinner than a needle and makes you bleed if pricked)
PRO'SKIT - 1PK-110T Cutting Tweezer (Does not cut, but tip stronger than 1PK-104T)
PRO'SKIT - 1PK-104T Fine Tip Curved Tweezer (thinner than a needle and makes you bleed if pricked)

[XYchromosone]

@pndiode

that's a nice tool kit that should make the job of straightening bent pins easy.

[OutSider420]

MB was sent in to Asus and I paid to have it repaired. Will get it back on Tuesday.

Socket was likely replaced. Will know more when I get it back

[Retired]

take it easy with that 420 next time you install the processor ))

[XYchromosone]

Please keep us updated

[Squall_Rinoa89]

That's like 1/3rd the price... That sucks! Last time I did that, I used a Splint out and a magnifying glass. Fixed them all but the board had a serious defect anyways and I returned it to bestbuy. Was stuck @ 600MHz BEFORE i bent any pins. Told them it was defective and ordered a new one. They never looked, and issue was fixed with a new board.

[OutSider420]

Squall_Rinoa89 wrote:
That's like 1/3rd the price... That sucks! Last time I did that, I used a Splint out and a magnifying glass. Fixed them all but the board had a serious defect anyways and I returned it to bestbuy. Was stuck @ 600MHz BEFORE i bent any pins. Told them it was defective and ordered a new one. They never looked, and issue was fixed with a new board.

Yep it sucks. I fixed most of the pins but a few were bent in a way I couldn’t fix myself and was running into bending more pins if I attempted it.
Hopefully I can resell the board and make back the money I spent on repairs.