I have an ABIT BH7 motherboard, an Antec power supply, and an Enermax case, all new. The cpuc is a 2.4 Intel Celeron. When I first put the MBD in the case, I could not find MBD screws that fit the stand offs furnished by Enermax. I took one of the stand offs to a local shop and verified it was the standoffs that were slightly different. Acquired new standoffs and screws. The shop tech also gave me some "fiber" washers to use, something I had never used before. Reinstalled the MBD All standoffs line up but one! Will not inserting a screw into just one cause the board to short out? When I powerup, the fans flicker just momentarily, then nothing. I had an identical problem with this case and a PII MBD I had on hand but assumed it was the board as it had an unknown history If the power supply was faulty, I would assume the fans wouldn't even flicker.:(

If you've a standoff that does not line up with proper placement for a screw through the Motherboard...I would leave it blank...

You would not want to put a standoff that would come into contact with the Motherboard in a random spot...that would be the kind of contact that could provide a short by possibly coming into contact with one of the copper traces, or another component...

If the board is not supported completely, due to the absence of a standoff, you would want to assemble somethings...(e.g., RAM, CPU and sink, or perhaps AGP card) outside of the case on a supportive surface.

These components can require force to insert properly and could flex the board causing problems...

Don't know how I missed this one earlier...

Firstly I agree with Whyzman's comments completely, on both points. If you have a standoff that's out of position it could easily cause a short, if you leave it off that section of the board is unsupported. What you describe about trying to power it up sounds exactly like a short.

The fiber washers the shop gave you are for that possibility, often they will isolate the board from whatever it is touching that causes the short or ground problem.

So...if you have a standoff out of position it's best to remove it completely, and to get around the lack of support you can alter another standoff. Take a look at the ones pictured in my Component Identification (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25502) thread. You'll see two plastic standoffs in the picture, one threaded and the other with a wide flange then a small button below it.

I like to use the wider one for a more solid suport base, but either will work. Cut off the threads or smaller button, VERY CAREFULLY, and you have a standoff that will give you support for the board but not require a hole for mounting. It should be the same height as the metal standoffs.

I use a pair of wire cutters then trim it flat with a hobby knife. This gives you plenty support for installing components or RAM, eliminates the possibility of a short or ground problem, and is not limited by the location of the mounting holes.