[SOLVED] - Can You Unknowingly Short Circuit The Motherboard?

Search

Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only Note By: Search Advanced search… Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only By: Search Advanced… Log in Register What's new

Search

Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only Note By: Search Advanced search… Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only By: Search Advanced… Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar Menu Install the app Install How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• Home
• Featured
• Forums New posts Search forums
• What's new Featured content New posts Latest activity

• GPU price tracking 2026: Lowest price on every graphics card from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel today — here are the best deals during the AI-driven pricing crisis!

[SOLVED]Can you unknowingly short circuit the motherboard?

• Thread starter Thread starter Cassie2011
• Start date Start date Dec 3, 2021

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar

• Home
• Forums
• Hardware
• Motherboards

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. C

Cassie2011

Reputable

May 26, 2021 52 0 4,530 Today I was trying to remove the internal hard drive which has been making lots of wierd noises. I was gonna give it a shake and put it back in to see if that fixed it. Well I forgot to unplug the data connector and the back part of it snapped off when removing it, leaving only the pins intact. Like a fool, I jury rigged it back in, and it was a loose connection. Of course it didn’t even show up on the PC.. Watching a “fix it” video today the guy said that if the pins are touching on the HDD (which they are after checking) while doing this you could short circuit the computer. Now nothing has happened to the pc, and it runs fine. I’m just worried I could’ve short circuited it and it hasn’t become apparent yet. Is this possible, or do short circuits always present with noticeable issues? any insights much appreciated. Solution A short circuit is an electrical connection from power to ground, sometimes with components in between. Sometimes the components will pop, and create an open circuit (problem solved) That part will be broken, but everything else fine. In this case, had you shorted something, the system wouldn't have turned on. So my guess is you've just broken the connector. Also, shaking a hard drive isn't likely to fix it. Smart thing would have been to check the SMART (CrystalDiskInfo is a good tool) data and see if there was actually a problem with the drive. Older drives make noise, just something that happens. Sort by date Sort by votes

RealBeast

Titan

Moderator Sep 13, 2010 17,122 475 104,790 A short that causes damage is usually immediate. You should be okay, but avoid shaking it in the future. 😉

• 

Reactions: Cassie2011 Upvote 0 Downvote

Eximo

Titan

Ambassador May 27, 2010 28,674 5,965 144,340 A short circuit is an electrical connection from power to ground, sometimes with components in between. Sometimes the components will pop, and create an open circuit (problem solved) That part will be broken, but everything else fine. In this case, had you shorted something, the system wouldn't have turned on. So my guess is you've just broken the connector. Also, shaking a hard drive isn't likely to fix it. Smart thing would have been to check the SMART (CrystalDiskInfo is a good tool) data and see if there was actually a problem with the drive. Older drives make noise, just something that happens.

• 

Reactions: Cassie2011 Upvote 0 Downvote Solution

MrLitschel

Reputable

Nov 7, 2021 245 48 4,640 Not really. I've had this happen multiple times with my users over a 25 year period and never had a short circuited motherboard. The hard drive circuit board ended up unusable until I soldered a new connector on (Even then it sometimes still wouldn't function)

• 

Reactions: Cassie2011 Upvote 0 Downvote C

Cassie2011

Reputable

May 26, 2021 52 0 4,530 Thanks for the replies everyone! Just to clarify, I had the hard disk data cable plugged in while a few of the data pins on the drive were touching one another (since that was the part that broke and not the power connector) . And then I powered everything on.. It wasn’t the shaking of the drive I was worried about. Do I still sound ok? Upvote 0 Downvote

Eximo

Titan

Ambassador May 27, 2010 28,674 5,965 144,340 Yes, the system didn't shutdown and the drive didn't explode or catch fire on start, or it did briefly and you didn't notice. Likely nothing was shorted. Data pins would all be at the same voltage, having them crossed would just likely result in there being no readable signal.

• 

Reactions: Cassie2011 Upvote 0 Downvote C

Cassie2011

Reputable

May 26, 2021 52 0 4,530 Great. Thank you Eximo. Upvote 0 Downvote You must log in or register to reply here. Share: Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link

TRENDING THREADS

• Tom's Hardware Member System Gallery
  • Started by tecmo34
  • Apr 30, 2011
  • Replies: 5K
  Systems
• S Questionrandom slow internet speeds on pc
  • Started by SSSS143
  • Today at 4:40 PM
  • Replies: 6
  Networking
• DiscussionWhat's your favourite video game you've been playing?
  • Started by amdfangirl
  • Aug 3, 2014
  • Replies: 4K
  PC Gaming
• M QuestionThinkpad T480 i5-8350u extremely high temperature
  • Started by Major504
  • Today at 4:10 PM
  • Replies: 4
  CPUs
• NewsCalifornia bill would restrict 3D printer sales to state-approved models to prevent printing gun parts — joins Washington and NY on legal offensive
  • Started by Admin
  • Friday at 6:20 AM
  • Replies: 40
  News Comments
• C QuestionNew build advice
  • Started by CMort
  • Today at 3:53 PM
  • Replies: 5
  Systems
• NewsIn a blind test, audiophiles couldn't tell the difference between audio signals sent through copper wire, a banana, or wet mud — 'The mud should so...
  • Started by Admin
  • Feb 14, 2026
  • Replies: 62
  News Comments

Latest posts

• QuestionI need to turn on Secure Boot but when I turn off CSM my screen goes black ?
  • Latest: Darkbreeze
  • 2 minutes ago
  Motherboards
• QuestionAlternative to Windows Media Player ?
  • Latest: Ralston18
  • 5 minutes ago
  Apps and Software
• Q QuestionAcroRd32.exe System Error ?
  • Latest: QueryKid
  • 12 minutes ago
  Windows 7
• QuestionI need help with my RAM
  • Latest: beyondlogic
  • 39 minutes ago
  Memory
• H QuestionNew build advice
  • Latest: Handyyman
  • Today at 5:36 PM
  Systems
• S Questionrandom slow internet speeds on pc
  • Latest: SSSS143
  • Today at 5:10 PM
  Networking
• J QuestionArctic Freezer III Pro 360 RGB runs at 3000 RPM constantly ?
  • Latest: jon96789
  • Today at 4:43 PM
  Cooling

Moderators online

• 
• 
• 

Share this page

Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link COMPANY Space.com is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. RESOURCES

• Advertising
• Cookies Policies
• Privacy
• Term & Conditions
• Topics

FOLLOW Facebook Twitter Instagram Top Bottom