Supporting the "Frankenstein 286" motherboard

The motherboard was proved to work in the last video, now it's time to mount it properly. However, due to some destructive modding done by a previous owner of this chassis, I have to become a bit innovative about how to support the ISA slots.

[@ehsnils]

I would have consider silicone rubber feet as replacement for the mounting studs. Styrofoam has a NASTY habit of static electricity that can toast components.

[@mal2ksc]

Also it is possible to use some JB Weld from the auto parts store to fill the large holes in the chassis support frame, and then small holes can be drilled into the epoxy to put in the appropriate spacer. Rubber feet are the way to go for places there was never intended to be a screw, but you still need support.
Also the spacers that screw into the chassis can be installed upside down and secured with a nut on top of the board, where the screw would normally go, so that they will simply rest on the bottom of the case, if you're not worried about upward flex. The plastic clip-in spacers are good for this purpose too, you just have to melt (with a lighter) or trim them to the correct height. And there are standard threaded spacers made of nylon if you're worried about shorting something.
And if all else fails, a blob of hot snot on the chassis can do the job.
I think I have a good permanent fix for the damage preventing proper mounting though. Cut down a slot cover and rivet it into place over the holes, then put support posts (with the slot cover's thickness ground off the top) in it. This fix would even hold for any other board placed in that case.

[@mikemorrell7921]

If the board has been flexing for awhile you may want to check the solder joints on the bottom of the board, especially the isa slots. Or, just play it safe and reheat the isa solder points with soldering iron and reflow them.
Those poles are typically called standoffs

[@Jasonsadventures]

I found your channel a couple days ago when so many others in the Retro scene did. I just wanted to say. You are a legend and nice table Mr Waldner

[@dethfan06]

Few things I would suggest for future videos: hang something like a rug on the wall to absorb the echoes for cleaner audio and zoom out on the more general shots like at 1:10. Just my 2 cents.

[@johnrickard8512]

They're called standoffs by the way. I am glad you decided to save this machine

[@fashiharz8584]

congrats on gaining subscribers! 👍 did you go viral somewhere? or are you getting picked by the algorithm? congrats either way.

[@PCRetroTech]

Really nice content and congratulations on your video about the Z80 protected mode tricks! Way to go!
By the way, a very minor thing: the final "s" in chasis is usually not pronounced. It's usually pronounced more like shazzy I think. Someone can correct me if there's multiple different pronunciations.

[@siberx4]

If you have access to a 3D printer, you could likely quite easily design and print some support posts for the mangled holes that would provide a rigid backing for the board, without the insulation, fire hazard and static electricity issues of a piece of styrofoam. It's probably not even necessary to make provisions for screwing into them from the top, since the biggest concern is the flex downwards when inserting ISA cards.

[@ModernOddity728]

The "support poles" are actually called "stand-offs". And the reason you don't see Styrofoam under PCBs is the obstruction of airflow and may be a fire hazard since it is not meant to transfer or absorb heat. Hope you can think of another solution soon.

[@mrt1r]

Also, its not ESD safe. You run the risk of damaging your motherboard via ESD.

[@joeturner7959]

On the far side of the case, there is a nylon standoff, which gives the proper height for small nylon supports that can go into holes. Seems like a common standard part.
I have used them, where there as been a slot for them, and have used them, by gluing them onto the case, when there was not a slot.

[@georgeabraham4285]

A nice large capacitor sandwich to support it..

[@ross825]

Be careful, sound cards and other ICs are extremely sensitive to static discharge. Styrofoam can be safe but it needs to be grounded at all times. Also there is the issue of you are essentially turning your motherboard into a big capacitor which means the discharge could be solid-state rather than static, also frying your stuff.

[@semuhphor]

I just read the wiki entry on the 286 -- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80286. More powerful than I remembered, but not well implemented.The 386 was where real power began.

[@jefftheworld]

Personally I wouldn't worry about chasing down the matching pin header, but I also don't plan on ever selling any of the computers in my collection, so I don't keep up much with how that type of thing affects resale value.

[@semuhphor]

286 was a weird chip. Almost has protection. Almost has virtual capability, but not quite.

[@ehsnils]

You could even get the SCO Xenix 286. But I don't know if anyone really used it.

[@TheCompWiz]

Styrofoam = static electricity ... that... plus electronics = recipe for disaster.

[@This_is_my_real_name]

Suggestion -- spend ten bucks for an old AT cabinet.