Scratch on motherboard, computer rarely starts up

xmark123 · Feb 7, 2014

Hi guys.
A few months back my computer and I encountered a strange problem. Most of the time the PC wont turn on. I've tried the motherboard's power button too. No fans, no nothing. One day it just worked. Then the next morning I tried to turn it on, and the same problem occurred again. Please help me. My computer only works like twice a week. It also randomly shuts off sometimes. On taking the motherboard out today I discovered a few scratches here and there : could this be the problem? My PC was working fine for 1.5 years.
My specs:
Core i7 2600K
2x 4 GB G-Skill Ripjaws 1600MHz
MSI Z68A GD65 G3
Cooler master Hyper 212 Evo
Intel 120 GB SSD
MSI Twin Frozr 3 6950 2GB
Antec 750W PSU
I tried changing my old psu to a new one. Still no change.

Novuake · Feb 7, 2014

Its much more likely that its your power supply.

Try with another unit.

xmark123 · Feb 7, 2014

Novuake :

I'm using a new one, the problem still persists. Yesterday I just tried the old PSU and the same problem occurred.

Novuake · Feb 7, 2014

Could be a short somewhere.

Remove the components from your chassis and assemble it with the bare components outside your chassis, like on a non-static surface. See what happens. It could even be the power switch on the chassis itself.

xmark123 · Feb 7, 2014

Novuake :

I just opened up the case, and there's a lot of dust on the motherboard. It also has its own power and reset switches: those dont work either. Can dust cause this?

Novuake · Feb 7, 2014

Yes, it can. That is why you need to assemble it OUTSIDE of the chassis.

xmark123 · Feb 7, 2014

Novuake :

Okay, I've taken the motherboard out and placed it on a glass desk on its anti static bag. Now what?
BTW I cant get compressed air because I cant find any, online or otherwise.
UPDATE: There's something like white dust on the mobo and the PSU. Any idea what it is?

aldan · Feb 7, 2014

can you post a picture of the scratches.if they are on a circuit path that could well be a problem.

Novuake · Feb 7, 2014

Take out PSU and everything, you need to literally run the PC outside of the case.

xmark123 · Feb 7, 2014

Java:

aldan :

Yes, they are on circuit paths. Can they be fixed? Cant get a pic, sorry.

xmark123 · Feb 7, 2014

Novuake :

I've taken out everything. I tried connecting the PSU and the same problem persists.

aldan · Feb 7, 2014

if you go to your local autoparts supplier and ask for rear window defroster grid repair that can be used to repair the printed circuit paths.its a little bottle with a brush and you just brush it over the damaged parts.it will repair the conductivity.be careful not to get it on anything else as it is a conductor.if this is indeed the problem there is a very good chance this will fix it.cheers

xmark123 · Feb 7, 2014

aldan :

I'm not sure that's safe, because the scratch covers several circuits and they may get messed up.

Novuake · Feb 7, 2014

It took you 2 mins to dust of the motherboard and run all of it on a static bag?

I smell a troll.

aldan · Feb 7, 2014

xmark123 :

all you are doing with the repair is covering the scratch in the individual paths.do not cross paths.if you are not comfortable with repair it would be best to consult a professional. not being able to see the damage this is all i can do.

xmark123 · Feb 7, 2014

Novuake :

I'm totally serious. When I posted the question I had the motherboard out already. You don't know how much this PC means to me. I can't dust it because I don't know how to. I don't want to kill it if its not already dead.
UPDATE: "Breadboarding" doesn't work. OMG what will I do?

aldan · Feb 7, 2014

dust in general is not particularly conductive so it wouldnt cause a short circuit.it does aggravate heat buildup though.to clean it just get a can of compressed air and blow the dust off.not hard.too bad you cant get a pic of the scratches.

xmark123 · Feb 7, 2014

Guys I found something new. Putting the CMOS battery in causes the power light to turn on. Any explanation?

xmark123 · Feb 8, 2014

Scratch that, who cares. So a tech guy came to my house and he checked my PC. He told me that my motherboard is busted. I'm getting a MSI P67A GD80 B3 as a replacement.

Scratch on motherboard, computer rarely starts up

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