PC starts up outside the case, yet remains inside it.
PC starts up outside the case, yet remains inside it.
Hello,
Summary: The system starts up properly when outside the case, but fails when inside. I only have the necessary standoff for my mini ATX motherboard and have already ruled out extra standoffs or metal components obstructing it. I've tested multiple times without success. Below are the specifications.
Details
Gigabite GA-A320M-S2H rev 1.1
Ryzen 5 3600G (with Wraith stealth cooler)
DDR4 Crucial Ballistix 2x8 GB
Crucial P5 NVMe M.2 SSD 500GB
Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 850W (new)
XPG Valor Mesh case (new)
I recently upgraded my PC this Christmas, installing a new case and power supply. This was my first major overhaul, and I encountered several issues. Initially, when trying to install everything inside the case, it failed. I connected all possible components except an old hard drive, which was missing from the setup. I didn’t know about standoffs at that time, but most parts were correctly placed except for the I/O shield, which hadn’t been installed before the motherboard. After turning on the system, here’s what happened:
Power button activated, reset button flashed red and stayed off.
CPU and case fans began spinning.
The operating system failed to boot; no display appeared, and peripherals didn’t connect.
I had to turn off the power supply since the reset button wouldn’t work.
Later, after moving everything outside, it worked again.
During this process, I read about standoffs and tried adding the missing ones on the case, along with some that were already in my previous setup. However, nothing changed. I also removed the 2.5" SSD trays behind the motherboard to check for short circuits, but found no issues.
I attached a photo showing the case without the motherboard.
In the end, I disassembled it once more and installed it outside, which functioned correctly.
Despite all efforts, I’m still unsure what caused the problem. My motherboard didn’t have a speaker or integrated LED, so no audible beeps or visual cues indicated an error when it failed to boot. After two days of troubleshooting (and that stubborn 24-pin cable), my hands were sore and my patience was worn out. I’m hoping someone can help me figure this out!
My thoughts in random sequence
Motherboard movement during installation in a case
Space between components lacking screw holes
Flexing of power cables leading to poor connections
Did you only use the cables that came with the PSU? Where did that blue-tipped cable originate from? Source?
24 pins? I recommend including a few more photos of the cables, plugs, and connectors.
Show the other side of the case and the I/O panel area.
Also add a picture of the motherboard.
This motherboard (please confirm)?
https://download.gigabyte.com/FileL...e_...f3cfd856be
Examine the case connections as per Section 8 (Page 16).
The cables included are the ones provided in the new PSU. The blue-tipped cable is USB 3.0 for the front panel. It was connected during the initial installation and removed on subsequent setups. The 24-pin connector is an ATX interface; I omitted it as it wasn't needed. That setup is my motherboard, and the connections I used were atx, atx_12v, cpu_fan, sys_fan1, f_audio, f_panel, f_usb30. I plan to add more images later.