The computer stops functioning even after reapplying thermal paste.
The computer stops functioning even after reapplying thermal paste.
I recently decided to reapply thermal paste since it’s been five years and the computer would crash often when the CPU hit 100°C. After cleaning and applying it, the machine stopped functioning entirely. When I turned it on, there was no beep from the motherboard and no display output. However, all fans were running normally and the green light on the motherboard suggested everything was working fine. I tried several fixes: removed the CMOS battery, waited five minutes, reinserted it; reseated the CPU; cleaned the CPU fan; unplugged all cables except the power cable; removed the RAM and booted with just one installed. The motherboard showed a green light. Could anyone offer advice on what might be wrong? Thanks in advance.
I’m not sure what exactly might have gone wrong with just reapplying thermal paste. Keep in mind the HDMI/DP cables are securely connected, verify each port while the device is running, check for any debug LED indicators, and see if it reports a specific error. Sometimes the POST phase can be risky due to voltage spikes, but this feels unusual. Alternatively, you could try placing the device on a flat surface and see if it powers up.
Check if the RAM is placed correctly in the designated slots (2 and 4). Ensure it’s seated firmly. After handling the installation, the modules fell out roughly three hours later. Immediate power loss occurred after about an hour of troubleshooting.
You can inspect the CPU socket for debris, remove the memory, and use an eraser to clean the contacts before reinserting them. Verify whether any cables are disconnected or loose, and examine the motherboard for error codes or beep patterns by connecting a speaker. When troubleshooting an older PC you purchased, your USB and display ports may not function properly. Possible issues could stem from a faulty motherboard or a damaged component due to a spike. If you can't resolve it yourself, sending it to a repair shop might be a good option.
Usually my motherboard emitted one beep when the computer began, but now there’s no sound at all. It makes me wonder if either the motherboard or the CPU has stopped working. Sadly, my motherboard lacks debug LEDs.
Usually the motherboard handled the beep sound by itself, so you probably didn’t need an external speaker.