<Assistance Required> Desktop cannot power on

[snowydust]

Hi, I went to clean my desktop a few days back without unplugging any components such as CPU, GPU, etc. except for the desktop fan. After I cleaned up and power on, it worked. Unfortunately, the next day when i tried to turn on, the desktop did not power on, so i unplugged all my peripherals and monitor, and tried to power on, it worked. This happened for the next 1 day as well. On the third day, i didnt encounter any issues. Yesterday I was using my desktop fine, so I turned it off when i went out for dinner. When i returned and tried to power on again, the desktop didn't on and i tried what i did previously and it still don't turn on.

I suspect is the PSU issue, but i tried the paper clip test and the PSU fan is turning on. I tried to short the power pins on the mboard to see if it is the casing power button issue, but the CPU fan didn't power on and i don't hear any beep sound. Based on the observations so far, would you all think it is the mboard that is dead? I am using MSI B360M Bazooka. Appreciate any advice on what else i can try or what you think is the issue? Thank you!

Edit: Also when it was working, i notice the Windows time was off, like a few hours apart; so i went to change the CMOS battery but still on next bootup, the time is off by 30minutes. Not sure if this symptom proved any thing.

Btw, if in the worse case scenario that my mboard died, what is the option here? Any chance that i can keep my existing CPU and change to another mboard or have to upgrade both CPU and Mboard + maybe Ram?

Usage: productivity, light gaming (non FPS, mainly JRPG type) and photo editing

Current Specs - 2018 build:
CPU and Mboard: Intel i7 8700 and MSI B360M Bazooka
Ram: G.Skill Ripjaws 2666mhz 8gb x 2 DDR4
GPU: Palit GTX1060 Dual 6gb
HDD: Samsung 860 Evo 500gb M.2 SSD and 3 other HDD
PSU: Seasonic Focus Plus 550w 80+ Gold
Casing: Fractal Design Meshify Mini C

 

[Psycovirus]

This might have happened when you unplug and re-plug all the power cables on the motherboard during cleaning.

Try check the CPU 8-pin and Motherboard 24 pin is fully plugged in. Also check power supply side too. Sometimes if its not fully plugged in, it might work for a while until it doesn't.

If all are fully plugged in, it might be either PSU or motherboard issue. Do you have spare PSU on hand to test?
Would be difficult to diagnose the issue without swapping out parts

 

[snowydust]

Hi Psycovirus, thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I don't have a spare PSU that i can try. I have plugged and unplugged the CPU and Mboard pin but the desktop is still not working.

Do you mean that even if the PSU passed the paper clip test, the issue may still be on the PSU side?

 

[Psycovirus]

Hi Psycovirus, thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I don't have a spare PSU that i can try. I have plugged and unplugged the CPU and Mboard pin but the desktop is still not working.

Do you mean that even if the PSU passed the paper clip test, the issue may still be on the PSU side?

Oh, if your PSU has modular cables, do check both ends of the cables to make sure they are all plugged in. Paper Clip Test is good to see if PSU can still switch on but won't tell you if its outputting proper 12V / 5V or 3.3V.

I am sorry, the best way would be to use a spare PSU to test the other parts to isolate the problem.

OH! I remember 1 issue I had, PC wasn't able to switch on at times. It wasn't PC problem at all. Turns out, the Power Extension plug has spoilt. Try plugging the PC into the wall instead of an extension plug.

 

[poooooo]

Do you mean that even if the PSU passed the paper clip test, the issue may still be on the PSU side?

Happened to me before, pass paper clip test but bring down to distro with proper equipment to check failed.

Both my mobo and psu KOed together though lol.

 

[snowydust]

Hmm... I have also replaced the power cable and plugged directly to wall, it still doesn't power on (the power cable has been tested with monitor).

I guess I need to probably buy another PSU to test... Currently using Seasonic Focus 550, probably still under warranty but right now I am not certain it is a PSU issue.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!

 

[snowydust]

Happened to me before, pass paper clip test but bring down to distro with proper equipment to check failed.

Both my mobo and psu KOed together though lol.

Hmm does distributor help to test the desktop or you only bring down the psu? I believe both MSI and Seasonic are under corbell, I could give them a call tomorrow to ask

 

[poooooo]

Hmm does distributor help to test the desktop or you only bring down the psu? I believe both MSI and Seasonic are under corbell, I could give them a call tomorrow to ask

Depends on individual policy, better to call them to find out. I brought the parts down to convergent and cdl

 

[snowydust]

Depends on individual policy, better to call them to find out. I brought the parts down to convergent and cdl

Thanks, will give Corbell a call tomorrow.

 

[snowydust]

Btw guys, i have updated my request above, would appreciate your guidance, thanks!

 

[poooooo]

If only mobo dies cheapest solution is to find 2nd hand in carousel loh.

If you intend to upgrade ryzen 5000s are pretty affordable nowadays. Can reuse your ddr4 ram.

 

[snowydust]

If only mobo dies cheapest solution is to find 2nd hand in carousel loh.

If you intend to upgrade ryzen 5000s are pretty affordable nowadays. Can reuse your ddr4 ram.

Do you know if I change mboard / CPU, the existing m2 ssd that contains my windows 10 can boot straight in the new setup or cannot?

 

[poooooo]

Do you know if I change mboard / CPU, the existing m2 ssd that contains my windows 10 can boot straight in the new setup or cannot?

I always fresh install if I change the mobo. CPU swap is not needed.
"Technically hearsay" Win 10 doesn't need to, you can just try, if it runs buggy just extract all the important files and do a fresh install loh.

 

[snowydust]

I just got back from Corbell. Apparently, the items i brought in are all working at the service centre:
1. PSU
2. Motherboard
3. Ram
4. Also tested with my Intel CPU

So i need to check at home on what could be the source of the issue (1 peripheral by peripheral), any idea will be very much welcome and appreciated, thanks!

 

[poooooo]

No idea, very weird if the fans or storage is preventing you from powering the system up. Really needs to plug in 1 by 1, including monitor i guess?

 

[Psycovirus]

I just got back from Corbell. Apparently, the items i brought in are all working at the service centre:
1. PSU
2. Motherboard
3. Ram
4. Also tested with my Intel CPU

So i need to check at home on what could be the source of the issue (1 peripheral by peripheral), any idea will be very much welcome and appreciated, thanks!

This is such a tricky situation. its great Corbell help you test all the parts one by one. I really can't think of anything else other than some other part is causing a short. Try remove all fans first, and also GPU. Use your intel IGP to try power on?
Then plug in GPU afterwards and see if it still on? And then slowly plug in 1 by 1.

For HDD, if the HDD is dying, the PC should still power-on but stuck at boot.

 

[snowydust]

This is such a tricky situation. its great Corbell help you test all the parts one by one. I really can't think of anything else other than some other part is causing a short. Try remove all fans first, and also GPU. Use your intel IGP to try power on?
Then plug in GPU afterwards and see if it still on? And then slowly plug in 1 by 1.

For HDD, if the HDD is dying, the PC should still power-on but stuck at boot.

Yea, really appreciate the 2 friendly Corbell staff who assisted me, the Intel processor was done on a goodwill since its not covered by them.

I am trying to narrow down what causes the short/trip. So far the components seem to be running (GPU, SSD), I suspect the potential ones are: System Fans and Casing.

Since I am going to apply thermal paste to the CPU, any recommendations on what I should buy and perhaps I could replace the CPU Cooler and also the system fans (might as well). Must support my i7 8700 which i think is LGA 1151 and my Fractal Design Meshify Mini C casing

 

[Psycovirus]

For thermal paste, you can use the paste that comes with the cooler or get something simple like Arctic MX-4 / MX-6.
If you wish to get a CPU cooler, Meshify c mini supports up to 172mm cooler height. You can consider ID-Cooling SE 224 XT or SE 226 XT. 226 has 6 heat pipes while 224 only has 4. 226 will be more future proof.

For fan replacement, you can consider Arctic P12 PWM ($15) or XPG Vento ($19).

 

[snowydust]

For thermal paste, you can use the paste that comes with the cooler or get something simple like Arctic MX-4 / MX-6.
If you wish to get a CPU cooler, Meshify c mini supports up to 172mm cooler height. You can consider ID-Cooling SE 224 XT or SE 226 XT. 226 has 6 heat pipes while 224 only has 4. 226 will be more future proof.

For fan replacement, you can consider Arctic P12 PWM ($15) or XPG Vento ($19).

Once again, thank you for your response, appreciate it, I was also looking at ID-Cooling SE 224 XT or SE 226 XT and Artic P12 PWM. Will drop by SLS later.

 

[snowydust]

Thanks Psycovirus and poooooo for your advice! Managed to get my desktop working again although the root cause remains unknown. I guess the system fans have a high chance that could have caused the issue. In any case, managed to get the SE 226 XT (Black) and Artic P12 PWM (to replace the default Fractal fans) and the desktop feels like a brand new one!