When a soccer ball knocked out a PC, the repair shop uncovered a jaw-dropping mistake: the motherboard was installed without standoffs in 2017, causing a short circuit. Avonetics users flooded the thread with similar tales of DIY disasters, from overheating nightmares to fried components, while debating the importance of reading manuals and proper installation. Modern PC cases now come with built-in standoffs, but this thread is a wild ride through the evolution of PC building—and the pitfalls of skipping the basics. For advertising opportunities, visit Avonetics.com.