Issue detected: Mobo may have been damaged by the power button.
Issue detected: Mobo may have been damaged by the power button.
I linked my power buttons to a positive and negative RGB cable in an attempt to start my computer using the RGB controller. After doing this, some smoke emerged from the motherboard near the RGB power supply. I’m unsure if I damaged anything, but once connected, the power button stopped working completely—even when plugged in normally. This experience has left me feeling frustrated and disheartened after trying to experiment creatively.
You linked a positive and negative wire from a powered RGB controller to your motherboard, which likely caused damage. Use a screwdriver to test the pins connected to the power button before attempting a boot. Then remove any related components and unplug the controller entirely.
I connected the negative side of the RGB with one of the power button wires, and the positive side with the green RGB wire. In theory, this should replicate the same behavior when you switch on the RGB. I tested by touching various power button connections, but the RGB still functioned properly, so it seems the issue wasn't from the wiring itself. The smell I noticed was likely from the motherboard. It’s unclear if there’s a common meme suggesting such a simple setup is safe, but it might be wise to double-check for hidden risks. Regarding what exactly was affected and how to confirm, you’ll need to inspect the components and possibly run tests.
The power switch isn't meant to carry any current, it probably damaged the circuit that powers your PC, and its main job is to simply connect the two pins together.
Power supplies with RGB cables offer minimal resistance, yet this detail overlooks the fact that they deliver voltage to a switch.
The powerbutton functions as a simple switch, allowing a minimal voltage to pass through and indicate the board can activate. You connected 12V to something that wouldn't normally handle that level of current. It's similar to using 12V on a 1.8V red LED when you press a button—it will fail because it isn’t designed for it. The LED dies since it receives more than it should, and you shouldn’t connect anything beyond a button in the circuit. What was damaged? The motherboard still works for RGB. What’s happening on the board remains unknown.
The strip voltage is +12V, not negative. The r/g/b connections are reversed. This means you probably delivered 12V directly to ground, creating a short circuit that could damage traces or fry a component. It’s likely the motherboard was dead, though it might have only affected the chip if it wasn’t designed for higher voltages.
Sure, the Nuvoton microchip shows burn marks where the smoke originated. I don’t notice any other damage, so I’m really hoping it successfully spread the entire rail. I ordered another ASRock H110M for my i5 7400 and I’m hoping it works out. Any tips to make sure nothing else gets damaged?