I believe the motherboard is damaged, and it seems my sister might have caused it.
I believe the motherboard is damaged, and it seems my sister might have caused it.
I'm fairly certain my sister damaged a motherboard I bought second-hand due to improper handling. It's an MSI B350M Pro. I checked it immediately after acquiring it and managed to start up the BIOS without issues, as the CPU (a Ryzen 7 2700X) was included. I tried it on my living room table since the usual workspace wasn't available, and I asked my family not to interfere. The next day I found it had been placed carelessly on our electric piano.
I attempted to install it into the PC case I planned for the day before, but it still wouldn't boot. The BIOS lights indicated problems: DRAM and CPU debug lights were on, RAM was faulty, GPU wasn't connecting, and power connectors weren't properly seated. I swapped RAM to rule out that issue, then reattached the GPU, but still no success. I replaced the RAM with a known working set and confirmed all connections were secure.
I verified that no power connectors were missing and double-checked the front panel wiring, even cross-referencing the manual. Still, after thorough testing and rewiring the front panel connectors, the issue persisted. I even disconnected every connector to ensure accuracy.
Finally, I swapped the CPU for a compatible 1300X that worked in another system two weeks prior, but it also failed. It seems the motherboard is faulty. I'm still seeking advice before purchasing a new one from Amazon.
It's worth noting that sometimes both DRAM and CPU lights flash when power is off, and the CPU LED alone can be misleading. Other potential causes could include a faulty motherboard board or internal short circuit, especially since the piano's metal surface might have affected solder joints. I hope this helps clarify what might be going on.