Attempted to assist my brother with assembling his PC, but ended up damaging it.
Attempted to assist my brother with assembling his PC, but ended up damaging it.
TLDR at the end: The build went wrong due to several tricky connections and mounting issues. Key problems included a hard-to-reach USB 3.0 port, misaligned pins, incorrect motherboard placement, and a faulty case standoff setup. We risked damaging parts and may have broken the motherboard. Now we’re unsure what to do next.
Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Delta280/saved/Lcgwqs
I don’t have a clear reason why the PC won’t turn on. From my past experience setting up my first PC, when it fails to power up, I usually try to reattach all the power cables from the PSU (motherboard, CPU, GPU) and double-check the case power switch connected to the motherboard. I also make sure the switch on the PSU is in the ON position. After adjusting those things, it works fine. Maybe this can help you too.
Nothing you've done appears likely to damage the machine. The parts can usually handle a bit of rough treatment. (The stand-off might have affected the motherboard, but I bet you could spot the damage if you'd been more careful). I'd verify that all power cables are in place (the 24-pin and at least one 4+4 cable, plus another half of a 4+4) and then attempt to boot again. Also, confirm it's powered on at the wall (we've all forgotten). You might also try removing and reinserting the CMOS battery. Remember, faulty components could be the issue.
You shouldn't have damaged anything, it looks like you can release pins from the USB header. Did you attempt to power the PC by connecting the power pins with a screwdriver? Does the PSU emit any sound or light when it's active? Your build setup was a bit rough—install the CPU, RAM, SSD, and cooler first on the board, then mount the board inside the case. After that, attach the PSU and cables, keeping them close to their intended paths (check the schematics if needed). Connect everything and power it up. Once everything is running, finish by connecting the cable management system.
It doesn't seem like a tight bend. It's likely doable to straighten it, but handle carefully. 2. The manual recommends nine screws, yet you can adjust based on stability needs—just ensure the mounting area is solid enough for weight and heat (like a large air cooler). So aim for as much use as possible without needing exactly nine. 3. Personally, the size and layout of USB headers and internal cables usually make placement difficult. Unless you thoroughly check the case design and available holes, it's probably not worth it. Avoid forcing cables or forcing connections. 4. These are just questions for clarity—since you mentioned connecting CPU1 and CPU2 power, here are some points:
- Are you also connecting the PSU 24-pin connector?
- Did you connect the EPS (CPU) connector from the power supply instead of the PCIe slot?
- Is the power supply active?
- Did you remove all power connectors and test the PSU with a screwdriver to short the pins?
- For safety, consider adding "Test turning it on" before installing the board.
You might find helpful tutorials on YouTube about PSU testing using a paper clip method.