Rusty Screw on the Motherboard. Should I be worried?

[MacFox]

Hello all,

About a year or so ago, I saw a Power Macintosh G4 on ebay that had some rust on the case.  After searching online, the consensus seemed to be that rust on a computer case isn't a big deal, so I went ahead and bought the G4.  What I didn't notice until recently, however, was that the screw on the top right corner of the motherboard was rusted.  I removed the screw only to find that a small bit of rust had formed around the screw hole where the screw had been.  Should I be worried?  If so, any tips on how to remove the rust?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dog Cow]

If so, any tips on how to remove the rust?

Sandpaper.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Try vinegar and a Q-Tip first. Coca-Cola is another old school rust remover. They don't compare well in tests you'll find on youboobtube with dedicated rust removal solutions, but they cost nothing or next to nothing by comparison.

Baking soda and a Q-Tip (dry) makes for a mild abrasive that's more localized than applying sandpaper. If you've got Soft-Scrub cleaner or the like under the kitchen sink, so much the better.

 

[LaPorta]

This is the perfect use of EvapoRust. Buy some, pour in a small cup. Drop screw in and cover. Come back 12 hours later. Rust totally gone.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Yep, but MacFox is talking about the rust on the board. One of the home remedies ought to work for that or should be tried before spending money. []

 

[MacFox]

Decided to take a picture of the board.  

 

[jimjimx]

The screw is either a #6 or #8, with 32 TPI. From what I remember, it’s an 8. Take it to a hardware store and ask for one in that size that’s stainless.  It’ll cost less than $1

The computer was probably just stored someplace that was humid, moist, or damp. 

 

[Byrd]

Looks like some superficial water damage all over the top corner of the motherboard and casing. Obviously it dried and isn’t going to kill the system but I’d more be cleaning that section over worrying about a screw.

 

[MacFox]

How should I clean up the water damage?

 

[hoi polloi]

Do all of those ports work?  The firewire chip looks a bit corroded.

At least it looks like you got a nice CPU upgrade with it!  Which one is it?

 

[MacFox]

Do all of those ports work?  The firewire chip looks a bit corroded.

At least it looks like you got a nice CPU upgrade with it!  Which one is it?

I haven’t used the FireWire port in about a year, but it worked when I last used it.  The only ports I never tested were the microphone and modem.  All the other ports work.  I have a USB 2.0 card and gigabit Ethernet card in two of the PCI slots, so I don’t use the built-in USB 1.1 or 10/100 mb Ethernet ports anymore.

The CPU upgrade is the main reason I bought this Mac.  It’s a 1.5ghz model.  I don’t know who made it.  I think it was made in 2007 according to a sticker I found on it.