The computer stopped functioning unexpectedly after prolonged use and won't power up anymore.
The computer stopped functioning unexpectedly after prolonged use and won't power up anymore.
I need assistance! I recently built a new PC from scratch. I followed all the standard setup steps, installed the motherboard, booted into BIOS, configured RAM speeds, and everything worked smoothly. I then installed Windows quickly and smoothly. After that, I started installing games and other programs. During a call with friends, my computer suddenly stopped working—my screen went dark. Since then, I can’t turn it back on. No fans are spinning, no drives are responding, and the display isn’t working either. This issue happened last night. I’ve run through all typical troubleshooting steps, but nothing seems to help.
I checked my power connections, unplugged everything and reinstalled cables—still nothing. I removed the power supply from my old machine (it matched its wattage), but it didn’t respond either. I disconnected the graphics card and tested with just one RAM stick, but no improvement.
I’m unsure what might have caused this. There was no visible damage to other devices, and my speakers and monitors stayed powered during shutdowns. I suspect a short circuit, but I can’t see anything that would explain it. I accidentally bent a few pins on the front panel connectors, though they were only slightly bent and returned to normal.
Could you help? Any advice on what to try next? I’m open to sharing photos if needed, but I don’t have any obvious signs of damage. Thanks!
Confirmed CMOS status, verified socket connections, tested booting without the case. Power supply functions during the paperclip test.
Consider images of the motherboard and the interior case appearance. What type of case do you prefer? Which fans are compatible? Was the AIO pre-applied with thermal paste? Did you remove the protective film before placing it on the CPU? If not, which paste did you use? Were the fans installed in a specific orientation? When you opened Windows, did you install the drivers (basic and NVIDIA, preferably NVIDIA GeForce Experience)? You should have visited the manufacturer's site to download the necessary drivers. Then proceed to NVidia for driver or experience installation. You can handle drivers and recording apps through that platform. When the PSU stopped working, did you hear any unusual noises? If you tried restarting it, did nothing happen? Were there no error messages on the motherboard? Did any lights fail to activate?
I received the Meshify 2 Compact and initially used the pre-installed ATX standoffs. I relocated the fans to the top and positioned the AIO at the front, both drawing in air. The rear fan still directs exhaust. I disassembled it for troubleshooting, but the case was entirely original with no issues found. The AIO had pre-applied thermal paste, but for the 12th generation Intel model, it advised removing that and applying fresh paste for optimal heat spread. This matches EK’s guidelines, and the thermal performance was solid before shutdown. I didn’t install NVIDIA drivers, though I did install the motherboard drivers automatically. I didn’t notice any sound when the PSU cut off, possibly due to headphones or passive mode affecting detection. During the paperclip test, I heard a faint relay click but no fan rotation—though this model supports passive mode, unclear implications. When attempting power-on, there was silence: no lights, no fan spin, no beep. I removed the GPU and tried swapping RAM sticks or slots, but results remained unchanged. I suspect a failure in the board’s power management circuitry and consider returning it for repair. Any further steps you’d recommend?
It didn’t change at all—still no reply. I haven’t tried it yet, and I’d rather skip the cooler unless there’s something else to inspect. The behavior remains unchanged; nothing obvious. I think there might be a relay firing sound when I do that, but there’s nothing else happening. No fan spin detected, though this model includes a passive mode, which is unclear for this test. Check my previous message for more information.
Process the motherboard and possibly the PSU. It might be best to remove both if you're sure. You mentioned not hearing anything while using headphones, so it seems safe to go ahead.