Computer not turning on after case switch

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fork96

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Mar 2, 2014
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Alright, so here's my situation:
A couple days ago a neighbor gave me two dead custom-built computers that had been sitting in storage for a few years. So I gutted them and decided to put my PC into one of the cases (an HP p6140f with added hardware) to allow more hard drives (original case only allowed 2) and because it looked cooler. So I took everything out of the original case and put it into the new one. After finding a picture of the pinout for the IPIBL-LB motherboard, I plugged in the power switch, plugged the PSU into the wall, pressed the power button, and... nothing. The PSU light comes on, but not the motherboard. I tried unplugging everything that wasn't necessary, taking the CMOS battery out and putting it back in, etc. I even tried hooking the original power switch back up (which is just one plug for everything) and it still won't turn on. Is my motherboard dead or something?
 
Solution
clutchc
It's probably just seeing that the missing fans, etc. are not working (because nothing else is connected). Don't panic yet. Since you now know the board is OK, put it back in the case (being careful there are no out of place standoffs that can short out the back of the MB) and connect up the rest of the system.
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fork96

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Mar 2, 2014
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Yeah, I didn't remove the heatsink or CPU when switching cases. I first tested it with all 8GB of RAM in it (4 sticks, 2GB each) but then removed 6GB and it still didn't work. And just a few minutes ago, I tried replacing the PSU with an identical model. No effect.
 
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fork96

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Mar 2, 2014
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This is my original working computer that I tried to put into the case of one of the dead machines I got. I know that the power button on the case works.
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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I would first try it OUTSIDE of the case. Set the MB on an insulated surface with ONLY the CPU/cooler, RAM, PSU, and keyboard. Use the integrated video if available to connect to the display. Momentarily short the 2 pins that the case's power button would connect to for starting*. If you get a display and can boot to BIOS, the board should be OK.
While the board is out of the case, be sure there isn't an extra standoff grounding out the back of the MB.

* You can drag the case close enough to use the power button's wires if you don't like shorting the pins with a screwdriver tip.
 
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fork96

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Mar 2, 2014
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clutchc, I tried just that, and finally I got some response out of it! Now that I can actually see the pins for the power switch, I think I might have been putting them in wrong. Well either way, I connected the switch from the original case, and it worked. On my monitor I have text reading:
"ERROR: System Fan Has Failed.
Service PC to prevent damage to the system.
Press <F2> to continue."

Now what confuses me is that the heatsink fan is still spinning. Does it mean that there are no other fans connected? Or is my heatsink fan prone to death soon?
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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It's probably just seeing that the missing fans, etc. are not working (because nothing else is connected). Don't panic yet. Since you now know the board is OK, put it back in the case (being careful there are no out of place standoffs that can short out the back of the MB) and connect up the rest of the system.
 
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fork96

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Mar 2, 2014
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4,510
Sorry about the late reply.
After reassembling the computer into the case, it stopped working even after I made sure to hook the power switch on correctly. So at this point I just said forget it and put it all back into the original case, while adding a couple more USB ports that I had lying around. The F2 fan error kept happening, but I found a solution and now everything works again. Thanks for the help, clutch. I'll just have to find another use for this case xD
 
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