Changed cases now PC does not turn on, CPU might be a reason

juanmanuel96 · Feb 20, 2017

I state that CPU might be a reason because when I try to turn on the PC my MSI motherboard's EZ Debug LED next to the CPU is rapidly flashing. My parents bought a new computer case for the PC I built for them because they wanted a smaller case. Once I got the case I began moving the components. Moving the motherboard was a bit troublesome because there were build errors. However I managed to uninstall the motherboard and move everything to the new case. Everything was connected: the 24-pin connector, the 4-pin CPU connectors, the power switch cables (yes, they correctly installed), the connector to the HDD and DVD Drive, and every fan was correctly installed. Once I finished I wanted to boot up the system but the PC did not turn on. I checked inside and the LED was flashing. The LEDs for HDRAM and VGA are not. This is the first time I encountered this, and I've built many computers. Now, as a last resort I tried to boot the computer with a screw driver (forgot the name of that technique) and when I did the LED stopped flashing but stayed on. Still, the PC didn't boot.

I suspect the CPU might have something to do with it, but it hasn't been moved from its socket since it was installed the first time. While moving the board from one case to the other, I left the CPU right where it was, never took it out of it's socket. I really don't understand what's going on.

Any kind of help would be appreciated. I want to explore all possible fixing alternatives before having to buy a new board and CPU.

mcnumpty23 · Feb 20, 2017

have trouble reading blocks of text so forgive me if i ask something you already said

got a big cpu cooler on there?

did you pick it up by the cpu cooler?

it is possible for the cooler to pull the cpu from the socket

juanmanuel96 · Feb 20, 2017

mcnumpty23 :

I may have picked it up by the cooler, can't quite remember but there is a big possibility. The cooler is the stock cooler that comes with intel processors.

mcnumpty23 · Feb 20, 2017

juanmanuel96 :

the push pins on those are notorious for coming out though dont know if picking it up by the cooler might pull the cpu out with it

but since it looks like your problem is cpu based worth looking at

juanmanuel96 · Feb 20, 2017

mcnumpty23 :

juanmanuel96 :

the push pins on those are notorious for coming out though dont know if picking it up by the cooler might pull the cpu out with it

but since it looks like your problem is cpu based worth looking at

Just finished checking that and the LED continued flashing.

mcnumpty23 · Feb 20, 2017

make sure the cpu 4/8 pin and the 24 pin are totally latched home

juanmanuel96 · Feb 20, 2017

mcnumpty23 :

Yes, they are completely connected. I feel that if I push any harder I might break the board. I ran a few more troubleshooting tests and I'm suspecting the CPU might be fried since the CPU LED is the only one that lights up.

mcnumpty23 · Feb 20, 2017

guess unless you have access to another cpu to double check with

about only other thing i can think of is take it out the case and try with only the essentials plugged into the motherboard

mjslakeridge · Feb 20, 2017

Since you are an experienced builder, I hate to ask this, but did you install the proper number of motherboard standoffs into the new case? As said above, try breadboarding it.

juanmanuel96 · Feb 20, 2017

mcnumpty23 :

Good point, I have a new CPU coming for another build that I have to make so I'll do some troubleshooting. Thanks for the help!

juanmanuel96 · Feb 20, 2017

mjslakeridge :

I guess I might have missed a standoff. I will do so and check with another CPU.

mjslakeridge · Feb 20, 2017

Generally, missing 1 standoff wouldn't cause a problem, unless it is in a location where the back of the motherboard would somehow touch the case, but that would take a lot of pressing on the motherboard.

mcnumpty23 · Feb 20, 2017

juanmanuel96 :

you are welcome and can always update this thread if still got a problem or if you get it fixed

juanmanuel96 · Feb 20, 2017

mjslakeridge :

I just breadboarded the PC and the problem still persisted. I also checked the PC for missing standoff and evidently I was missing one but one the bottom of the MB near de PCI Express slots. So my guess is the MB or the CPU must be damaged.

mjslakeridge · Feb 20, 2017

I would think it is rather unlikely that just moving the cpu and motherboard to a new case would have damaged the CPU. I can see it more likely that the motherboard got damaged, as you said that you had difficulty installing it into the new case. Now that it is out of the case, carefully examine front and back sides of the motherboard for any scratches, crushed resistors, broken off capacitors, or any other signs of damage.

I guess when your new cpu comes in, you will know for sure whether the old cpu is bad, or whether it is the motherboard.

juanmanuel96 · Feb 22, 2017

mcnumpty23 :

mjslakeridge :

Update:
I received my new processor for the other build and tested it on the motherboard to see if it's indeed was the CPU or the motherboard that was damaged. I did the whole breadboarding thing and still got the flashing led of the EZ Debug LED next to the CPU. Only that this time it would flash for 2 seconds and then stopped. So, I can conclude now that somehow the board got damaged, right?

mcnumpty23 · Feb 22, 2017

juanmanuel96 :

mcnumpty23 :

mjslakeridge :

Update:
I received my new processor for the other build and tested it on the motherboard to see if it's indeed was the CPU or the motherboard that was damaged. I did the whole breadboarding thing and still got the flashing led of the EZ Debug LED next to the CPU. Only that this time it would flash for 2 seconds and then stopped. So, I can conclude now that somehow the board got damaged, right?

kind of looks like it

assuming the new cpu is compatible with the motherboard of course

mjslakeridge · Feb 22, 2017

And also assuming the BIOS you currently have on the motherboard is compatible with the new cpu. Did you see any signs of damage on either side of the motherboard?

juanmanuel96 · Feb 22, 2017

mcnumpty23 :

juanmanuel96 :

kind of looks like it

assuming the new cpu is compatible with the motherboard of course

Yeah, the socket type for both cpu is LGA 1151. Thanks for your help!

juanmanuel96 · Feb 22, 2017

mjslakeridge :

I did check the motherboard front and back and did not see any notable damage. I even tried to see if the pins on the socket were bent but it was hard to see and I didn't have a magnifying glass to help me see better. Thanks for the help!

juanmanuel96 · Feb 23, 2017

mjslakeridge :

Ok, so I changed the motherboard since it was the damaged component. However it is not the same model, the damaged one and the new one are MSI but not the same model. Now I have this new problem. The BIOS does not detect the HDD. I've even moved the cable from the SATA 1 socket to the SATA 3 socket to see if that way the BIOS would detect it but it didn't work. I spent like half an hour searching through the internet but none had my same problem. I tried to install Windows without losing any files, but since the computer does not detect the HDD, I have my hands tied.

mjslakeridge · Feb 23, 2017

You may want to start a new thread, since this is a different problem and the thread is already solved, so most people will quit looking at it.

Changed cases now PC does not turn on, CPU might be a reason

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