Desktop motherboard: short isolation without a schematic

Desktop ATX short triage for shop benches (paraphrased from common motherboard-repair patterns; NLCRC original). First splits - Will the PSU latch off immediately? Try a known-good PSU and a paperclip/jumper test on the supply alone. - Remove GPU, RAM, CPU (if socket allows diagnosis), and cables — note when the short clears. Finding the rail - Warm-spot with controlled current injection only if you understand the risk and have current limiting. - Ceramic packs near VRMs and MOSFETs are frequent; look for cracked MLCC after mechanical flex. Chipset / VRM - 1.05 V / VCCSA / VCCIO style rails (names vary) shorted often point at PCH or nearby ceramics — confirm before heating large BGAs. Ask with: board model, which rails show low ohms, photo of heat spots, and whether it ever POSTed before failure.