I'm confused... what just happened?

Michael_W225 · Apr 20, 2017

Short Summary:Having problems with PSU/MOBO and powering on. Didn't turn on with 1st PSU (case fans jumped briefly, but CPU and PSU fan didn't turn. MOBO light is on), Tried with other PSU's and it worked (PSU fan, CPU fan, Case fans all turn on, MOBO light is on); hard turned off and on a couple of times, testing out different components. Then after about jump start, it stopped working on all PSU's. Did I just fry the MOBO?

Details:

So i'm still learning when it comes to building computers. I've successfully built two so far; so my friend asked me to help him build his computer. He tried building back in 2012, but got frustrated and gave up. So the parts he gave me were somewhat antiquated. He gave me the following:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K (2nd Gen.) Quad-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 6 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I52500K (2011)
MOBO: None (said his MOBO was DOA, which is why he gave up)
PSU: Antec 550W 80 plus
RAM: corsair vengeance ddr3 1600 8gb (2x4gb) cmz8gx3m2a1600c9b
GPU: ati radeon hd 4850 512 MB (2008)
HDD: western digital 1 tb blue sata III 7200 rpm
Case: unknown manufacturer/ Black ATX case with x2 fans with 4-prong power connectors (2 USB 2.0's, power/reset button, Headphones/microphone jacks)

To complete the build, I acquired:

MOBO: Asus P8H61-I R2.0 Desktop Motherboard
DVD-ROM: LG Internal 24x Super Multi with M-DISC Support SATA Model GH24NSC0B

If you read the short summary, first, I'll skip to the details. After installing all the components (including the front panel connectors) and the Antec PSU, I tried to turn it on. At first push, the case fans (connected directly to the PSU, not MOBO) turned ever so slightly, before stopping. The CPU fan and PSU fan did not turn; though the MOBO light was on, signifying it was receiving power. I removed the front panel connectors and attempted to jump the power on pins with a flat-head screw-driver. basically the same result, case fans started and stopped; nothing on the CPU and PSU fans.

I have some extra PSU's lying around, so I decide to try and see if the PSU is the problem. I unplug the MOBO from the 1st PSU (Antec 550W) and connect it to a (generic 365W PSU), MOBO light comes on, I jump it with a flat head screw-driver, CPU fan comes on, PSU fan comes on. OK great, I think to myself. So it's probably the PSU. I switch it back trying the 1st PSU again, no joy. I connect back to the 2nd PSU, and it still works when I jump it.

I have a third PSU, a 400W PSU, which I figured, I could give him to finish the build. So I connect the 3rd PSU to the MOBO, jump it, CPU fans, good, PSU fans good; OK good. So I remove the 1st PSU from the case (which I had already installed) and swap it out for the 3rd PSU (400W), wire everything back up. I get to the front panel connector wiring; I install the power switch, then test it, OK case power button works in turning on the computer. I install the remaining front panel connectors (Reset, Power LED +/-, HDD audio). Then I try and turn it on again and...

Nothing...

Confused, I remove the front panel connectors and try and jump it with the flat-head screw-driver, again, nothing. Irritated now, I re-seat the PSU MOBO power connectors, thinking maybe something got dislodged, and try again, nothing. I take them out, and then connect the MOBO back to the 2nd PSU (365W), jump; nothing. I re-try many iterations of this, taking off all the unnecessary connections to the MOBO, switching back and forth between the all three PSU's (two of which had previously worked, all of which the MOBO light is on), and get nothing.

So my thought now is, that I did something to fry the MOBO; But I did not see, hear, or smell anything (although it was pretty loud from my roommate's music, so not that I would be able to hear anything anyway).

So now I'm very confused. I'm stepping away from it for a little while and then I'm going to go back and try again. But does this community have any thoughts on what might have happened? And how I can test those theories?

Thanks,
Michael

adiec · Apr 20, 2017

ok. you were testing the psu's with the motherboard. was this without the case .. and that is why you were shorting the pins to start the pc ?

Michael_W225 · Apr 20, 2017

Hi Adiec, No this was inside the case.

adiec · Apr 20, 2017

Michael_W225 :

i was kinda hoping it was without the case .. have removed the motherboard from the case and tried building it with no case ... on top of a cardboard box.

read this .

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/faq/id-2176482/breadboarding-stripping-basics-troubleshooting.html

adiec · Apr 20, 2017

i was going to ask if you had installed the motherboard using the standoffs.. and not screwed it directly to the case . well did you ?

Michael_W225 · Apr 20, 2017

The board is installed on standoffs inside the case. I will remove from case and try the breadboard approach and let you know. Thanks!

Michael_W225 · Apr 21, 2017

Hi Adiec,

Good news, I pulled the MOBO out of the case and isolated it like a breadboard, just as you had said. I tried powering it up, still nothing. But then I jumped cleared the CMOS to clear it and tried again and now it seems to be working (CPU fan came on and PSU fan came on). I guess somewhere along the line the CMOS got corrupted? I read that somewhere on this forum that that could happen and you needed to clear the CMOS. I thought I tried that before, but I guess I didn't do it correctly.

Is that your guess as to what happened?

adiec · Apr 21, 2017

Michael_W225 :

yeah it may well be the constant changing of power supplies caused the problem . have you placed everything back inside the case and tested it ?

Michael_W225 · Apr 21, 2017

Hi Adiec,

Been working on it trying to figure out what's going on still. I have a better idea, now but it's still not working correctly.

So after I isolated it from the case as a breadboard; like you said, I used I think it was the 2nd PSU during the test and it worked. I decided to try the 1st PSU again (the antec 550W) and it also worked to my surprise. So, knowing the PSU and MOBO were working outside of the case, I put everything back into the case connected all the accessories and tried it. Not working again...

Eventually, I pulled the mobo out again, and have it connected the psu. It works. While still outside of the case, I connected the 2 molex case fans; it works, but when I connect the SATA power to the PSU (HDD/DVD-rom), it doesn't work. I tried reducing the number of devices on the SATA to one, and still it doesn't work (when either connected to the HDD or the DVD-rom). Without the SATA-power to PSU, the case fans and the CPU/PSU fans turn on. I disconnected one of the molex case fans and used a molex to SATA adapter to try and connect the HDD; I even tried with a different HDD. However when I do this, it also doesn't work. If I remove the HDD, it starts working again. To me this seems like there isn't enough power to start everything up or something.

But when I calculated the estimated power consumption for the whole system on PCpartpicker.com it was something like 167W. Which using a 550W PSU should easily cover. It's a very strange problem to me.

Any thoughts?

For a video-walk through of me troubleshooting it: try and see if this link works: https://youtu.be/8hN7P6AgKeY

adiec · Apr 21, 2017

Michael_W225 :

Hi Adiec,

Been working on it trying to figure out what's going on still. I have a better idea, now but it's still not working correctly.

So after I isolated it from the case as a breadboard; like you said, I used I think it was the 2nd PSU during the test and it worked. I decided to try the 1st PSU again (the antec 550W) and it also worked to my surprise. So, knowing the PSU and MOBO were working outside of the case, I put everything back into the case connected all the accessories and tried it. Not working again...

Eventually, I pulled the mobo out again, and have it connected the psu. It works. While still outside of the case, I connected the 2 molex case fans; it works, but when I connect the SATA power to the PSU (HDD/DVD-rom), it doesn't work. I tried reducing the number of devices on the SATA to one, and still it doesn't work (when either connected to the HDD or the DVD-rom). Without the SATA-power to PSU, the case fans and the CPU/PSU fans turn on. I disconnected one of the molex case fans and used a molex to SATA adapter to try and connect the HDD; I even tried with a different HDD. However when I do this, it also doesn't work. If I remove the HDD, it starts working again. To me this seems like there isn't enough power to start everything up or something.

But when I calculated the estimated power consumption for the whole system on PCpartpicker.com it was something like 167W. Which using a 550W PSU should easily cover. It's a very strange problem to me.

Any thoughts?

For a video-walk through of me troubleshooting it: try and see if this link works: https://youtu.be/8hN7P6AgKeY

the video is unavailable for me .

you don't have the same problem though connecting a different psu.. with the HDD and everything else connected ?

edit : vid working now .

adiec · Apr 21, 2017

do not clear the cmos with motherboard powered on! remove the lead from the back of the psu first put the psu switch to off position!

adiec · Apr 21, 2017

if you could get it to run when using a different psu then we can say it is the antec 500w psu or not. i mean if you have tried powering up with just the cpu ram and HDD.. obviously with the cpu fan connected too and it doesnt boot.. and you have tried a different HDD.. seems likely to be a faulty psu.. but the motherboard appears to be having issues if you have to keep clearing cmos .

Michael_W225 · Apr 21, 2017

Thanks for the info about the CMOS/power-on, didn't realize.

So I swapped out with a 400W PSU, first just MOBO/CPU & PSU fan. They work. Attached Case fans; they work. Attached 1 HDD; still works. Attached the DVD-rom with 1 HDD; still works. Never had to clear the CMOS.

Switched back over to the 550W PSU, ran through the same iteration. CPU fan/PSU fan, OK. Added two cases fans; OK. Attached HDD; doesn't work. So I would agree with you that it's probably the PSU?

This PSU is an older one which hasn't been used for a couple years. My friend bought it back in 2012 trying to build his computer; but gave up. He then let it sit until he gave it to me a few weeks ago. I'm wondering now if he has a faulty PSU; which works under low power demand (may <100W?), but fails when you add HDD's/ DVD-roms, etc.? Maybe that's why he thought his MOBO was defective?

Thoughts on that?

I think i'm going to have to order him a new PSU.

adiec · Apr 21, 2017

one thing i do suggest is rather than clearing cmos the way that you are .. shorting the pins . try removing the battery from the motherboard for a few minutes .. obviously following the safety precautions i outlined earlier in regards to swtiching off the psu.. and removing the power lead from the back of the computer . also make sure you ground yourself on a metal area of the case too . don't want to be frying that motherboard

adiec · Apr 21, 2017

Michael_W225 :

i am in agreement that the chances are that it is the psu .. as the other psu is working with everything connected .
if you have a budget in mind for ordering a psu .. i will recommend one .

adiec · Apr 21, 2017

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/fZyFf7/seasonic-power-supply-s12ii520bronze this if you don't wish to spend too much

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/TgW9TW/seasonic-power-supply-m12ii520bronze this if you want something with great cable management options .

personally i think the first one would be fine for the system .

Michael_W225 · Apr 21, 2017

Thanks for your help Adiec!

As far as PSU's go, I was thinking this Thermaltake Smart Series 500W from Newegg. It's on sale right now and with a MIR is only $20.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153233&ignorebbr=1

I've also used one of these before in a previous budget build for a friend of mine.

adiec · Apr 21, 2017

Michael_W225 :

i would go with the seasonic 520w s12II for $29 as it is a very good quality psu

you can see what is considered quality and what isn't from this thread

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

edit: it has a $15 MIR . https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Michael_W225 · Apr 21, 2017

Awesome. Thanks Adiec! My friend says he wants to get the Seasonic one. Thanks again for your help! It's nice to have someone to bounce my troubleshooting thoughts off of and to have a bit of instruction too.

adiec · Apr 21, 2017

Michael_W225 :

it is not a problem . it is what i believe most of us are here for .. either to listen and give pointers or to instruct from point A through to point Z .

the seasonic is excellent value. it sells very nicely at it's usual price .. so to see if being on sale is a surprise really.

if you have anymore issues don't hesitate to ask !

I'm confused... what just happened?

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