Just looking before I leap...new PC final thoughts.

Doing further research, it would be easy enough to make a template & drill & tap a 6-32 hole for the missing standoff. This would remove all doubts.

Your pics aren't really big enough to see detail, but I think you should recheck.

That board should have at least 7 mounting holes. Mine does.

One hole near the center should fit over a standoff that does NOT require a screw. This particular mounting point acts as a guide to let you know you are getting close.

It is possible that the Solo does not follow this convention and that all standoffs require a screw on top.

Don't do any drilling or modification.

Insert the motherboard backplane (the tin piece with the holes for your ports) first.

Screw in that odd standoff---the one that doesn't need a screw added after you install the board. It's just a stud that one of the mounting holes drops over. It should be screwed in near the center of the board. Just looking at your pic, it's probably the one nearest the RAM slots, but not the one circled in red.

Then lay the board in the case snugged up against the backplane to get an idea of about where it will end up.

ATX boards and cases are designed to a certain standard. That's why I'm assuming you are missing something.

If you are NOT missing something, I would not bother drilling and tapping. I'd just go with the standoffs that in fact lined up with a hole in the board.

I've certainly never read of anyone having to drill a Solo. So, I'd guess they just ignore the issue.

ignatzatsonic said:

Your pics aren't really big enough to see detail, but I think you should recheck.

That board should have at least 7 mounting holes. Mine does.

One hole near the center should fit over a standoff that does NOT require a screw. This particular mounting point acts as a guide to let you know you are getting close.

Don't do any drilling or modification.

Insert the motherboard backplane (the tin piece with the holes for your ports) first.

Screw in that odd standoff---the one that doesn't need a screw added after you install the board. It's just a stud that one of the mounting holes drops over. It should be screwed in near the center of the board. Just looking at your pic, it's probably the one nearest the RAM slots, but not the one circled in red.

Then lay the board in the case snugged up against the backplane to get an idea of about where it will end up.

ATX boards and cases are designed to a certain standard. That's why I'm assuming you are missing something.

If you are NOT missing something, I would not bother drilling and tapping. I'd just go with the standoffs that in fact lined up with a hole in the board.

I've certainly never read of anyone having to drill a Solo. So, I'd guess they just ignore the issue.

Sorry for the poor pics but I'm at work & have to deal with internet pics & poor editing software.

The board does have 7 mounting holes. The case doesn't have 7 holes that lineup with the MB. The MB mounting hole marked in red is where there isn't a hole on the case.

I didn't look throughly at all the mounting hardware so there probably is an odd standoff. So, would I mount this odd standoff to the MB in the red hole? It would just rest on the metal case, not mount (there's no hole for it to mount) to the case?

You would mount the odd standoff in whatever hole is consistent with making all the other holes line up with a regular standoff.

That would likely be the yellow mount immediately to the left of the red question mark in your first set of pix. The mounting hole at the base of the RAM slots would likely be the hole that drops down over that stud/standoff. (the hole to the left of the red circled hole in the second set of pix).

The stud doesn't go in the motherboard. It goes on the back panel with all the other standoffs. It just looks different than the others (no internal threads to accept a screw). The Solo may (?) not use this odd standoff---which would mean you just use a regular standoff.

The end result would likely be that the red circled hole in your second set of pix would NOT be used. It would be the odd man out. You would use the other 6 holes---that form a capital H in your first set of pix.


Feel free to tap a 7th hole in the case to accommodate the red circled hole if you want to, but I personally would not bother.

But first, install the backplane and get the motherboard out of the package. Set it down inside the case without standoffs to confirm all of this. Then screw the standoffs into place in what appears to be the appropriate spot. Then set the board back down in there again to confirm. If you have those 6 holes sitting on top of 6 standoffs (or 1 stud and 5 standoffs), you got it. Then just add the top screws and you are done--after you fumble with the screws and cuss a while.

Don't over tighten the top screws. All you need is snug--like a strong hand tight.

Then comes the PSU cable hookups. The Solo has a lot of opportunity to hide cables---most commonly routing them behind the motherboard, just inside the far case wall.

ignatzatsonic said:

You would mount the odd standoff in whatever hole is consistent with making all the other holes line up with a regular standoff.

That would likely be the yellow mount immediately to the left of the red question mark in your first set of pix. The mounting hole at the base of the RAM slots would likely be the hole that drops down over that stud/standoff. (the hole to the left of the red circled hole in the second set of pix).

The stud doesn't go in the motherboard. It goes on the back panel with all the other standoffs. It just looks different than the others (no internal threads to accept a screw). The Solo may (?) not use this odd standoff---which would mean you just use a regular standoff.

The end result would likely be that the red circled hole in your second set of pix would NOT be used. It would be the odd man out. You would use the other 6 holes---that form a capital H in your first set of pix.


Feel free to tap a 7th hole in the case if you want to, but I personally would not bother.

I'll take your word for it. It just seems odd to only use a few but not all of the MB's mounting holes. But, as I said from the beginning, this is my 1st build.

So;

1. The hole at the base of the RAM slots is open. If there is an odd no-female standoff, it would be mounted under this mounting hole & the MB rest on this standoff.
2. The neighboring hole I have marked in red is to be left as is.
3. The other 5 MB mounting holes will mount to standoffs.

If I have that correct that's what I'll do. Thanks.

GARoss said:

I'll take your word for it. It just seems odd to only use a few but not all of the MB's mounting holes. But, as I said from the beginning, this is my 1st build.

So;

1. The hole at the base of the RAM slots is open. If there is an odd no-female standoff, it would be mounted under this mounting hole & the MB rest on this standoff.
   
   Probably--based on my best guess after looking at your pix. That seems the most likely scenario.
   
   
   
2. The neighboring hole I have marked in red is to be left as is.
   
   
   
   Yes, in all likelihood based on the pix.
   
   
   
3. The other 5 MB mounting holes will mount to standoffs.
   
   
   Yep.
   
   
   

If I have that correct that's what I'll do. Thanks.

It is only slightly odd. I have seen boards that did not use all holes when mounted. If you are handy with a drill, tap another mount.

The case builders cannot guess in advance all possible board layouts to be used by board makers. But the ATX standard demands certain things---at least you have 6 mounts that do line up.

Make sure the ports at the rear of the board poke out as expected through the backplane so you can properly attach your peripherals--mouse, KB, etc. You pretty much have to do that to force the motherboard mount holes to line up over the standoffs.

Look here:

SPCR • View topic - Staff Rigs

to see Ralf's Solo (P150) build to give you an idea of what can be done with cables on a Solo.

That P150 looks great. I hope I can achive something close to his professional look!

ignatzatsonic said:

Look here:

SPCR • View topic - Staff Rigs

to see Ralf's Solo (P150) build to give you an idea of what can be done with cables on a Solo.

He has 9 mounting screws on his MB.