I have a quick hardware-related question. I was told just last night that the screws holding a motherboard to to the case need to have paper washers put in to ensure that the screws don't allow the motherboard to short out to the case (I had previously thought that the MB had intentionally used the case as a ground point). First, is this true? Second, where exactly should the washers be installed (I assume between the screw head and the MB surface)? Third, how much damage can happen to a motherboard if these washers aren't installed? I attempted to fire up the system before knowing that these washers need to be put in (they weren't included in the case or the motherboard, and no mention was made of them in the manual), and the system "ran" for a total of maybe 5 to 10 minutes.

When fired up, the monitor receives no signal and no beep is emitted. I followed the instructions on the motherboard's manual to the letter, and everything (MB, CPU, RAM) has been verified as working as of when they left the store (I already did a MB exchange once; the new one was verified as being okay before all this) today. The motherboard is a Soyo SY P4S Dragon Lite, with an Intel Celeron 1.7 GHz processor and 128MB of PC2100 DDR.

If those washers aren't the key, does anyone have an idea? Thanks in advance! I'm about to tear my hair out...this was supposed to be a low-budget Internet access system for my girlfriend, and is (of course) becoming a real PITA...again, thanks! And, maybe, someday I'll be able to get my system built...

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
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