PCI-e Slot/ Latch

[Pez]

I've got a Gigabyte motherboard, model # EP35C-DS3R.

Not too long ago, a computer repair shop put in a new graphics card for me.....something I could have done myself, I know, but that's another story

Anyway.....I did a little tinkering with my old GPU (the GeForce 9800 GX2), and I wanted to plug it back in and see if my tinkering worked. I go to remove my current graphics card.....and I notice that the little white latch that I have to depress to release the card.....is missing!!

I believe the tech who worked on my computer snapped it off without realizing it (or not telling me), because I haven't messed with my GPU since it was put in.

I can't remove my current graphics card!! Here's a pic of the kind/ type of latch my motherboard has (the black arrowhead is pointing at the latch):

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll217/PezzyDude/GigabyteEP35C-DS3R.jpg

How can I release my graphics card without this latch? Is there a makeshift way I can do this with a paperclip or a screwdriver tip without damaging my motherboard?

Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Pez<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[wazza300]

Re: PCI-e Slot/ Latch

you can press down on the plastic clip where its broken off,it should be enough to release the gpu,you could cut down a biro pen tip(the cap) the long thin plastic bit and super glue it to the broken clip,maybe that would work in releasing the catch??

[Psycho101]

Re: PCI-e Slot/ Latch

It can happen, especially if the tech stupidly tried pulling the latch instead of pushing it to release the old card.

As it's highly unlikely it was broken when he inserted the new GPU, and more likely when removing the old one, you should be able to manually release the latch. After all, if the tech did snap off the lever, then he'd have had to have released the latch somehow to remove the old card.

Take the motherboard out of the case so that you can have full access and use a paper clip to release the latch. If the plastic is snapped off too far in, use a flat bladed screw driver to manipulate the latch. It's not held in there by much, so if needed you can carefully apply moderate pressure to it and pretty much remove the plastic clip while the card is still installed. That or hold the clip to one side while you remove the graphics card.

To avoid any future issues when you do get the graphics card out, you'll probably want to remove the clip mechanism from the slot totally. There should be no issues with the card working loose without it unless you move the machine around a lot.

[Darkje]

Re: PCI-e Slot/ Latch

This more about the clip in general than it will help TS but I have to say:

The clip is often a pita anyway, at least some designs of it... it becomes hard to reach once the board is build up and cased with a cooler, mem, vgacard etc in place... I've even seen scratched pcb from people trying w. screwdriver or pliers, or bend/snapped caps in that area from attempting to reach it whilst build in.

Of course I understand it's not secured for noting, esp. with the large cards w. multiple power cables on that corner, but there has to be a better design of slot latch?

[Psycho101]

Re: PCI-e Slot/ Latch

I agree, using the latch can cause problems, even if one has been especially careful when tidying cabling etc.

The small push in latches are a real pain in the ar5e. I much prefer the older style ones like on the blue PCIe slot in the following picture that you bend upward to release. At least if they snap, the whole mechanism will come off. http://www.hardwarezone.com.my/img/d...CIe%20slot.jpg

[Darkje]

Re: PCI-e Slot/ Latch

Yeah there has to be some design that's better, the one you linked there looks like the ones on the P67 and I like those slightly better than the small clip ones. I also like the ones DFI (sorry for swearing ;) ) used to use, but I think they might be less secured.

Ideally I imagine it would be a small push-pin like key you press down to release (with + like depresion in it so you can safely place a screwdriver) ...