PC startup is functional, yet the screen and USB connections remain inactive.
PC startup is functional, yet the screen and USB connections remain inactive.
I've recently assembled a gaming PC for the first time in a few days. All components are new except the case, the GPU, and one of the two SSDs (which appears to have Windows installed). Previously, this was a used PC I purchased on eBay, but I wanted to improve the build.
The system powers on when I press the power button, and all three fans—CPU, GPU, and case fan—are active, with a small red light illuminating at the front. However, none of the connected peripherals respond or receive power. My mouse, keyboard, and display do not get any signal. Regarding the display, I've tested multiple cables in different setups with two monitors. I also connected the display to the motherboard via USB, but it still shows no signal because my CPU lacks an integrated GPU. Thus, the display consistently reports no connection. The HDMI cable is linked to the GPU, while the mouse and keyboard cables are connected to the mainboard.
I'm quite frustrated and unsure what's going wrong. I've also changed the power settings multiple times or toggled between with or without peripherals. It's possible I missed something during assembly, but I can't think of any specific issue right now. I suspect the GPU might be faulty, given its age. Could anyone assist me with this?
Thanks!
Your concerns could indicate a problem with the PSU, but they might also point to issues with the motherboard or CPU. It’s important to check each component systematically.
Without replacing the PSU and testing with 2nd, known to work, good quality PSU, there is no telling if the PSU alone died or if the PSU took something with it when it went belly up. Hence why i said to cross your fingers and hope for the best.
Though, do note that when PSU goes belly up, it has the magical ability to fry everything it is connected to (aka your whole PC). So, at best, you can consider your PSU dead. At worst, you can consider EVERYTHING dead. Most of the times, MoBo and/or GPU also get fried when PSU blows up. And the worse the PSU build quality is - the higher the chance of PSU frying other components.
For example;
I have great quality Seasonic PRIME 650 80+ Titanium PSU [SSR-650TD] (powering my Skylake build, full specs with pics in my sig), which was the best 650W PSU money could buy back in 2016. And even today, it is one of the best (if not the best) PSUs out there. Highest efficiency there is: 80+ Titanium. Longest warranty there is: 12 years. Lowest ripple, longest hold up time, very quiet operation etc.
Now, if, (and that's a big IF), my PSU should die for whatever reason, it's top-notch build quality and protections in it, wouldn't fry any other components. Due to that i have 0 worry of my PSU killing any other of my components.
Also, my PSU has been on daily service since 2016, ~16h per day. That's ~8 years now and my PSU is still going strong.
Now, the worse the PSU build quality is - the higher the chance it killing something.
Your Corsair VS-series is bottom of the barrel, worst PSU ever made by Corsair, a crap quality PSU. In your case, i expect MoBo and even GPU to be dead as well. Maybe even CPU and RAM too. (Haven't heard of PSUs killing SSDs but it still is a risk.) With crap quality PSUs, question isn't
if
the PSU blows up, but
when
the PSU blows up.
So, i wouldn't get your hopes up in terms of what components survived.
That being said,
never
cheap out on PSU!
If you bought that Corsair VS-series as brand new PSU, well, now you have to pay life's tax.
SSD or RAM, if damaged, won't function either. It also doesn't affect the second system in any way. The only component that could harm others is the power supply unit.
Because the PSU powers everything, it's the most crucial part inside the PC.
However, if the SSD fails, data might become corrupted. For example, when you have Windows installed, the OS wouldn't be bootable anymore, or other files could be missing or damaged. Be aware of this.