[quote] First of all, you don't know me so let me tell you something. Don't post replies to me unless you first read and understand my posts. I don't like dealing with people who just shoot off a quick reply.

I don't blame ECS for the problem. What I came to learn was that ECS is evil for using PCChips motherboards. And in the 6 plus years I have been building my own PCs and working Tech Support, I have never once run into problems while removing cards with the power cord still plugged. As a matter of fact, that is the first time I have ever had any problems related to this. So I blame PCChips.
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ECS is PCchips, they all belong to the same company (same as amptron and a few others)

as for installing cards while power still in - well I know that most people are too lazy but if you RTFM you will see that you are ALWAYS suppose to do that.

no disrespect for your 6 years experience but it doesn't sound to me like you have ANY expereince, you managed to damagea brand new mobo and neglected to make sure the power chord is out or at least the ATX power switch is at it's OFF position - if you had been working for me you would have been looking for a new job by now...

But accidents do happen - so the blame can go either way.

I've always said PCchips and its affiliates make crappy boards but judging from a few I used lately I take it back. it seems the new ECS mobos are pretty good, its true that they have a strange design and the build quality is pretty low but a good tech would actaully notice that in advance and get the AMR and CD audio cable in first...

so relax with your attacks on people, everyone's here to help out and learn not judge.