Helpful ReplyPCI slot scratched on GPU help?

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marundo
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2011/03/20 16:32:24 (permalink)
Hello all, I bid on a 285 on ebay that was supposed to be working and accidentally won!!! So I thought great SLI time, should be fun, right, well not so.
 
I get it in the mail pop it in and see my mb doesn't recognize it. (que sad face).
 
With some quick trouble shooting (swapping my other 285 in and out), I notice the the end that goes into my PCI slot has a scratch across 6 of the copper connectors.
 
Is there anyway for me to fix this?
 
Can I rub out the scratch? Its not broken just scratched; my pc wont boot with 'it' just in, I get 4 post beeps, I tried with no gpu in and got the same four post beeps, so I assume that is for no video. My other 285 works just fine.
 
I was kind of depressed about it earlier being a waist of money, then thought Japan is going through Armageddon, I have nothing really to complain about.
 
Thanks in advance, for whatever help you can provide.
 
Edit for pic... I can't really get a good crisp pic with the camera at my disposal, but its right where I have the line at.
post edited by marundo - 2011/03/20 20:44:56

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    Fiius
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    Re:PCI slot scratched on GPU help? 2011/03/20 17:27:15 (permalink)
    Picture please - also, why not contest this on ebay?  If it was supposed to and advertised as working and it came damaged, why fiddle with it at all?
     
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    marundo
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    Re:PCI slot scratched on GPU help? 2011/03/20 20:52:59 (permalink)
    Thanks for the quick response,
     
    I could try to contest it, but the description describes it 'As-Is' (of which I know is a red flag). The seller had high ratings so I went for it. I was bored at work, I do most of my shopping there.
     
    I probably shouldn't have bid on it... He had/has a video of it working, idk, foolish on my part I know.
     
    So that's where I stand with it, I figure there has to be some way to fix it, its a light scratch. I would assume like a cd it could be polished out.
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    JeffreyHam
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    Re:PCI slot scratched on GPU help? 2011/03/20 21:08:05 (permalink)
    Maybe try some emory cloth on it??

     
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    Requital
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    Re:PCI slot scratched on GPU help? 2011/03/20 21:31:55 (permalink) ☄ Helpful
    Well, I cannot offer too much help from a computer tech standpoint since I am not that knowledgeable,  however, I work as a mechanic, and this problem actually happens often on computer components in the automotive industry. Often parts will be damaged in this fashion.
     
    What I would recommend is going to a hardware or automotive store and spending a few dollars on some very fine grit sandpaper (1000 grit or higher), and lightly sand the scratch. Remember, that is just a thin bit of copper on the circuit board, so any heavy grit sandpaper or cloth can completely remove the copper. The idea is to be very careful and start slow, cleaning the pins every few passes with the sand paper and only taking off what you have to.
     
    After the foreign material or scratch is removed, use a electronics safe cleaner, or rubbing alcohol (something that doesn't leave residue) to clean off the grit from the sand.
     
    I would tape any openings in the card off with masking tape before you start sanding, and clean the pins with rubbing alcohol and a cue tip after sanding and then remove the tape to keep copper filings from getting places where they shouldn't.
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    marundo
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    Re:PCI slot scratched on GPU help? 2011/03/20 22:07:49 (permalink)
    That sounds like the advice I'm looking for; Thanks.
     
    I have an electronics department where I work (automotive) I was going to ask them and see if they had anything, but if not I will run to the Home Depot Wednesday.
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    Requital
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    Re:PCI slot scratched on GPU help? 2011/03/20 22:20:47 (permalink)
    good luck! it looks like the scratch is deep, just a guess as to what is happening, is if the scratch is deep, the MOBO's pins are riding on the edge of the scrape where there is no copper, and so it will not recognize the card. If that is what I am seeing from the photo, removing that lip will allow the fine pins of the mobo to seat properly on the card and it should fix the issue.
     
    Anyone can make a repair like this, it just takes a steady hand and plenty of patience and an eye for detail. I hope for your sake that is all that is happening, and that after a little time and effort you will have a SLI set up going!
     
    EDIT: make sure you clean it VERY well, the last thing you want is copper filings getting into that scratch and shorting the motherboard across the pins(which hopefully didn't happen already by installing it in this state!).
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    Fiius
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    Re:PCI slot scratched on GPU help? 2011/03/20 23:24:06 (permalink)
    If its too deep, the cut may have severed the copper completely.  If that is the case, you may be able to repair it using a PCB Conductive Trace Repair pen.
    http://www.amazon.com/Cir...ed-grams/dp/B0002BBVQO
     
    Good Luck,
     
    ~Fus

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