Spark from Motherboard during first power-on (bench test)

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ladyluck1442

Prominent
May 4, 2017
2
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510
So I a had a bench test going with CPU, stock cooler, RAM, GPU, and PSU installed. As this is my first build, I was using this video as a guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIF43-0mDk4. At about the 34 minute mark, he uses a flat head screwdriver to give power to the motherboard. I follow his step and my motherboard powers on and the BIOS comes on my monitor. He then repeats the step to turn it off. I try to, and the lights on the MoBo go off, but then turn back on. I try it again, and that's when it sparked at the point of contact with the screwdriver. The motherboard no longer powers on using that method. I haven't taken any further action after that. See my build below:

AMD Ryzen 5 1600
MSI B350 Tomahawk (Used)
(2 x 8GB) G Skills Ripjaws DDR4 3200
MSI GeForce GTX 1070
EVGA SuperNova NEX 650W 80+ Gold

Any advice? Am I pretty screwed?
 
Solution
G
Hi -
I looked at the video. This looks like a very risky move. I'm not sure that I would trust myself with this approach. Better way might be to attach the connector to the power button on the case, if there's no power switch on the MOBO.

Chances are you've shorted your MOBO. But just to be sure, check to see that your power outlet still works. Some circuit breakers are sensitive to a spark jumping across a gap, and they'll trip when it happens. But I think this is a longshot.

If you have another power supply you might try using it to see if, by chance, the MOBO is still good and the PS died.

Maybe someone with more experience will respond with some other thoughts.

Good luck.

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GorfTheFrog

Distinguished
Aug 12, 2009
183
1
18,815
Hi -
I looked at the video. This looks like a very risky move. I'm not sure that I would trust myself with this approach. Better way might be to attach the connector to the power button on the case, if there's no power switch on the MOBO.

Chances are you've shorted your MOBO. But just to be sure, check to see that your power outlet still works. Some circuit breakers are sensitive to a spark jumping across a gap, and they'll trip when it happens. But I think this is a longshot.

If you have another power supply you might try using it to see if, by chance, the MOBO is still good and the PS died.

Maybe someone with more experience will respond with some other thoughts.

Good luck.

###
 
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Solution
L

ladyluck1442

Prominent
May 4, 2017
2
0
510


Thanks very much for your reply. I tried what you suggested and connected it to the case and everything seems to be working fine. Clearly, I dodged an expensive bullet, so hopefully someone reads this before sticking screwdrivers into their motherboard to conduct electrical current.

I'm a bit surprised that this seemingly risky method is suggested in a video posted by Newegg. I should have raised some warning flags when earlier in the video the guy takes a razor blade to the CPU to straighten out some pins. Clearly I should do a little more research on the build process before proceeding. Thanks again!
 
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GorfTheFrog

Distinguished
Aug 12, 2009
183
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18,815
Glad it worked out. I would be less concerned about straightening pins on a CPU (when it's not connected to anything!) compared to sticking a metal pole into a hot, electrified, running MOBO!

Thanks for selecting my solution as the answer, and good luck with the rest of your build!

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