PC won't turn on

[TeethOfMidas]

Hi all,

A couple days back I put my PC to sleep for about 2 hours while I went to do some stuff. When I came back I realised it wouldn't 'wake up' and it was off entirely (power supply was still on, just the PC itself powered down). Skies were clear so it likely wasn't due to a power trip, everything else in the house were fine too.

I've tried plugging in to the wall socket directly instead of an extension, and also at different sockets.

When I press the power button, there is no response at all except the light on my bluetooth adaptor (a very tiny one), none of the fans are turning.

I then did the paperclip test and the PSU fan moved. I tried to see if there were any visible swelling/burn marks on the motherboard but everything looked perfectly clear and clean.

So,
Turn on during full setup: PSU Fan = not moving, BT adaptor lights up
Paperclip test: PSU Fan = moving

This is my build:
- GIGABYTE B150M-D3H (1151) + i7-6700 (1151)
- G.SKILL F4 2400MHZ 8GB DDR4 (x2)
- FSP 550W HEXA+
- 480GB SSD
- 2TB HDD

Any advice on diagnosing the issue? Would this be a PSU or Motherboard issue?

 

[hafiz116]

Hi all,

A couple days back I put my PC to sleep for about 2 hours while I went to do some stuff. When I came back I realised it wouldn't 'wake up' and it was off entirely (power supply was still on, just the PC itself powered down). Skies were clear so it likely wasn't due to a power trip, everything else in the house were fine too.

I've tried plugging in to the wall socket directly instead of an extension, and also at different sockets.

When I press the power button, there is no response at all except the light on my bluetooth adaptor (a very tiny one), none of the fans are turning.

I then did the paperclip test and the PSU fan moved. I tried to see if there were any visible swelling/burn marks on the motherboard but everything looked perfectly clear and clean.

So,
Turn on during full setup: PSU Fan = not moving, BT adaptor lights up
Paperclip test: PSU Fan = moving

This is my build:
- GIGABYTE B150M-D3H (1151) + i7-6700 (1151)
- G.SKILL F4 2400MHZ 8GB DDR4 (x2)
- FSP 550W HEXA+
- 480GB SSD
- 2TB HDD

Any advice on diagnosing the issue? Would this be a PSU or Motherboard issue?

This sounds like a PSU issue. BUT,... I would not assume anything and disconnect all power to everything including the GPU and only power up the motherboard and hook up to the in-built GPU card (if you have one, not listed so assume that your using onboard GPU). From here see if you are able to POST.

If your not able to POST then you will need to test parts with one by one with a working system.

 

[TeethOfMidas]

This sounds like a PSU issue. BUT,... I would not assume anything and disconnect all power to everything including the GPU and only power up the motherboard and hook up to the in-built GPU card (if you have one, not listed so assume that your using onboard GPU). From here see if you are able to POST.

If your not able to POST then you will need to test parts with one by one with a working system.

You're right, I'm using onboard GPU. Currently I see the PSU is connected at 4 points;

1: Motherboard (the one with 24 pins)
2: Also to the motherboard, but much smaller, like two of a 2x2 pin.
3: SSD
4: HDD

I'm actually really unfamiliar with these things, the paperclip test and all were what I speed-read the past few days with the help of Google.

Do you mean I should try again but with 2, 3 & 4 disconnected? What does it mean if I can/cannot access this "POST" you're referring to?

 

[i1magic]

Hi all,

A couple days back I put my PC to sleep for about 2 hours while I went to do some stuff. When I came back I realised it wouldn't 'wake up' and it was off entirely (power supply was still on, just the PC itself powered down). Skies were clear so it likely wasn't due to a power trip, everything else in the house were fine too.

I've tried plugging in to the wall socket directly instead of an extension, and also at different sockets.

When I press the power button, there is no response at all except the light on my bluetooth adaptor (a very tiny one), none of the fans are turning.

I then did the paperclip test and the PSU fan moved. I tried to see if there were any visible swelling/burn marks on the motherboard but everything looked perfectly clear and clean.

So,
Turn on during full setup: PSU Fan = not moving, BT adaptor lights up
Paperclip test: PSU Fan = moving

This is my build:
- GIGABYTE B150M-D3H (1151) + i7-6700 (1151)
- G.SKILL F4 2400MHZ 8GB DDR4 (x2)
- FSP 550W HEXA+
- 480GB SSD
- 2TB HDD

Any advice on diagnosing the issue? Would this be a PSU or Motherboard issue?

I dug out an old PC recently and it just can't power up. So I tried with another old PSU and it power up.

So if you have another PSU to try, then easier, if not it will be more challenging.

 

[hafiz116]

You're right, I'm using onboard GPU. Currently I see the PSU is connected at 4 points;

1: Motherboard (the one with 24 pins)
2: Also to the motherboard, but much smaller, like two of a 2x2 pin.
3: SSD
4: HDD

I'm actually really unfamiliar with these things, the paperclip test and all were what I speed-read the past few days with the help of Google.

Do you mean I should try again but with 2, 3 & 4 disconnected? What does it mean if I can/cannot access this "POST" you're referring to?

No what I mean is disconnect all peripherals such as hard drives, CDROM (if you have one) etc. The goal here is just for the motherboard to POST (Power On Self Test). Since your hard disk(s) should be disconnected the PC wont boot but that is ok to start troubleshooting.

Also IF you do happen to have a spare PSU then as already suggested that would be worth a try as the PSU is usually the first thing to go!

Let us know how you get on or if you have any further questions.

 

[TeethOfMidas]

I dug out an old PC recently and it just can't power up. So I tried with another old PSU and it power up.

So if you have another PSU to try, then easier, if not it will be more challenging.

Sadly this is the only one I have.. which got me thinking, if the odds are higher that the PSU's faulty it might be a good 'bet' to just buy a new one and replace.

I'm worried my amateurish fiddling will cause more harm than good, especially towards the SDD/HDD.

 

[TeethOfMidas]

No what I mean is disconnect all peripherals such as hard drives, CDROM (if you have one) etc. The goal here is just for the motherboard to POST (Power On Self Test). Since your hard disk(s) should be disconnected the PC wont boot but that is ok to start troubleshooting.

Also IF you do happen to have a spare PSU then as already suggested that would be worth a try as the PSU is usually the first thing to go!

Let us know how you get on or if you have any further questions.

I see, I don't have a spare PSU to try with, so I guess the POST-test might be doable since it sounds similar to the paperclip test.

With reference to the 4 connected points I mentioned, I just need to ensure the PSU is connected to the motherboard via the 24-pin, is that correct?

I can unplug the other two unknown 4-pin (which is also connected to the other corner of the motherboard, but unsure what it's for), the SDD, HDD and then turn on and see if it can POST.

Also, just wondering if this disconnecting/connecting of the SDD/HDD cables will somehow damage or corrupt the drives?

 

[i1magic]

Sadly this is the only one I have.. which got me thinking, if the odds are higher that the PSU's faulty it might be a good 'bet' to just buy a new one and replace.

I'm worried my amateurish fiddling will cause more harm than good, especially towards the SDD/HDD.

Ok. I stay Tampines. If you are nearby, can just bring over and test at my side. I got 3 PC. But RAM are all DDR3, so can't help you on that. I got 2 graphics card also.

I got spare harddisk and SSD also.

 

[i1magic]

I see, I don't have a spare PSU to try with, so I guess the POST-test might be doable since it sounds similar to the paperclip test.

With reference to the 4 connected points I mentioned, I just need to ensure the PSU is connected to the motherboard via the 24-pin, is that correct?

I can unplug the other two unknown 4-pin (which is also connected to the other corner of the motherboard, but unsure what it's for), the SDD, HDD and then turn on and see if it can POST.

Also, just wondering if this disconnecting/connecting of the SDD/HDD cables will somehow damage or corrupt the drives?

Sorry for being ignorant, can somebody explain to me what is "paperclip" test?

 

[hafiz116]

I see, I don't have a spare PSU to try with, so I guess the POST-test might be doable since it sounds similar to the paperclip test.

With reference to the 4 connected points I mentioned, I just need to ensure the PSU is connected to the motherboard via the 24-pin, is that correct?

I can unplug the other two unknown 4-pin (which is also connected to the other corner of the motherboard, but unsure what it's for), the SDD, HDD and then turn on and see if it can POST.

Also, just wondering if this disconnecting/connecting of the SDD/HDD cables will somehow damage or corrupt the drives?

No the motherboard connectors should all stay. I would just unplug them and plug them back in - who knows could be a dry connection or something. But the key is to disconnect everything else.

If you get the machine to POST. Connect back the OS HDD and see if it boots correctly. If that is ok add the rest of ur peripherals one by one.

 

[naked123]

Sorry for being ignorant, can somebody explain to me what is "paperclip" test?

switch on the PSU without power switch or shorting the pins on the motherboard

 

[TeethOfMidas]

Ok. I stay Tampines. If you are nearby, can just bring over and test at my side. I got 3 PC. But RAM are all DDR3, so can't help you on that. I got 2 graphics card also.

I got spare harddisk and SSD also.

That's nice of you, but I'm at the North.. haha furthermore it's the ** period now, don't wanna cost you $300 for helping me. Thanks though!

Sorry for being ignorant, can somebody explain to me what is "paperclip" test?

It's what naked123 mentioned. From what I read, the paperclip serves to emulate a motherboard, sort of to trick the PSU into thinking it's connected to one and then activating the PSU fan.

I also only just learned this last night, so my understanding is only surface level.. I'm sure there's a deeper logic/explanation behind the test, but that'll be more than I can handle.

 

[TeethOfMidas]

No the motherboard connectors should all stay. I would just unplug them and plug them back in - who knows could be a dry connection or something. But the key is to disconnect everything else.

If you get the machine to POST. Connect back the OS HDD and see if it boots correctly. If that is ok add the rest of ur peripherals one by one.

Ok cool, that should be manageable since the 'others' are just my SSD & HDD. I'll update again tomorrow after trying.

Thank you for your help so far!!

 

[i1magic]

switch on the PSU without power switch or shorting the pins on the motherboard

Oic. Means that we "short" the power pin on the motherboard to simulate power on, which bypass the switch, just in case the switch is faulty, correct?

 

[TeethOfMidas]

Oic. Means that we "short" the power pin on the motherboard to simulate power on, which bypass the switch, just in case the switch is faulty, correct?

Just the 24-pin that connects to the motherboard, the actual motherboard is untouched and disconnected. You can do the test with just the PSU alone.

Sent from another corner in SG using GAGT

 

[i1magic]

Just the 24-pin that connects to the motherboard, the actual motherboard is untouched and disconnected. You can do the test with just the PSU alone.

Sent from another corner in SG using GAGT

Oic. But which 2 pin to short to test the PSU?

 

[i1magic]

Oic. But which 2 pin to short to test the PSU?

Found liao.

 

[shadow84]

Oic. But which 2 pin to short to test the PSU?

The 4th and 6th pin of the PSU-mobo connector. Google it for a better view. The placement is standard for all PSUs. Take reference from the notch that clips onto the mobo header.

 

[shadow84]

It's what naked123 mentioned. From what I read, the paperclip serves to emulate a motherboard, sort of to trick the PSU into thinking it's connected to one and then activating the PSU fan.

I also only just learned this last night, so my understanding is only surface level.. I'm sure there's a deeper logic/explanation behind the test, but that'll be more than I can handle.

Purpose of paperclip test on PSU is only to check if PSU is able to power on. The PSU fan will spin and nothing else. ALso, plz dun touch the paperclip when turned on as you will get shocked. Use pliers or gloves to remove AFTER turning off the PSU. You should also disconnect all PSU cables to mobo, gpu, ssd, hdd, ood and only use the 24 pin cables.

If this works but your system is not working as intended, you can consider changing the PSU cables to eliminate any possibilities.

 

[i1magic]

Found liao.

Ok. Tested liao. The supposing spoilt PSU fan doesn't spin. The working one can spin now.

Initially, it didn't spin.