Not starting after power cut - what to check next?
Not starting after power cut - what to check next?
The power instability occurred due to windy conditions, not storms or lightning. The laptop works, but the desktop fails to power on despite all devices being connected. There are no visible power indicators on the motherboard. Possible causes include a faulty PSU or other initial issues. Consider testing with a different power supply if needed, and perform basic checks first.
With a meter, you can verify your PSU, or you can use affordable testers available today. This is probably connected to a surge during those power outages. That’s my guess too.
No meter was used. The lack of lights on the board suggests either the PSU is dead or the board itself is dead. I'm hoping it's the former. I just want to confirm there aren't any other possibilities I'm overlooking.
While we briefly lost power, the oven and microwave didn't even reset, which seems like the main issue—hard to believe.
I assume you've already verified the main breaker for the outlet and ensured the power supply is switched on and off properly.
It seems the fan has a hybrid mode switch, which might not be responding either.
These are simple initial checks, but it's hard to say what's really working without more details.
You could try the paper clip test, though it only confirms basic functionality.
It might also help to pull the front header button and directly short the turn on pins on the motherboard (holding your breath).
I often rely on a budget setup with a reliable power supply and a basic low-power connector for graphics cards. This allows me to quickly test systems when they become unresponsive by connecting the necessary components. When working with Ryzen systems, I also kept an older CPU to verify compatibility. I’m not certain if all recent boards and BIOS updates still support 1xxx, but it might be worth exploring. At this stage, a budget 2xxx chip seems reasonable for both BIOS updates and W11 support. I also have a standard DDR4 2133 stick available for similar needs.
This approach isn’t always straightforward. Many people tend to store the bulk of their PC hardware in storage areas, leaving it unused.