The PC is no longer starting.
The PC is no longer starting.
Hello,
I’m looking for ideas on how to diagnose why my PC isn’t booting properly.
When I press the power button (on the case or motherboard), the system appears to lose power—case and MOBO LEDs go off, but the screen stays blank. Restarting the power supply restores the case lights, yet the boot problem persists.
This issue has appeared suddenly after a year of normal operation. The only clue was that the case LEDs stayed lit even after shutdown, which they should normally turn off.
Here’s what I have:
- SAMSUNG 990 PRO SSD NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4, M.2 2280 SSD
- G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB (AMD Expo) DDR5 RAM 32GB
- AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-core processor
- GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4070 Ti graphics card
- GIGABYTE B650 AERO G motherboard
Could you help identify the cause or suggest troubleshooting steps?
I avoid removing CPUs from mobo sockets unless I'm fixing an issue or changing the processor, as I recognize your hesitation to affect the processor. I haven't inserted a CPU into a socket and bent the pins yet, though it's possible if I'm careless.
There could be an 'open circuit' if a spring contact in the socket isn't properly connecting with the gold-plated pad on the CPU's underside. In my view, this is more likely than a 'short circuit'.
CPU sockets may bend or...
What is the make, model, and age of your PSU? It's one year old, but you should still be able to upload without the separate GPU in your setup.
Does this indicate that the case lights and the mobile graphics LEDs turn on briefly when you power it up? If you're unable to access the BIOS, remove all non-essential components.
As @Lutfij mentions, the system should function without the RTX 4070, so detach the GPU from the motherboard's PCIe slot and connect the monitor through the main graphics port.
Go back to the fundamentals: consider only the CPU and cooler, a single stick of RAM, and avoid using hard drives or SSDs. If the BIOS display appears, replace the removed parts one by one until the system becomes unresponsive.
It's clear the PC won't boot into Windows or Linux without the boot drive, but reaching the BIOS screen is a positive step.
A faulty DIMM, defective SSD, or damaged PCIe graphics card might stop the computer from starting.
Test each DIMM individually in sockets A2 or B2 first. Try one memory module at a time and check all four sockets sequentially to identify any bad components.
If none of these steps succeed, carefully remove the 7800X3D and inspect the CPU socket for bent pins. Be careful not to misalign the pins when installing the CPU.
Finally, if you have another machine, attempt to use a different PSU or replace the RTX 4070. If nothing works, consider having the entire computer serviced by a professional.
The case lights will turn on as soon as I flip on the PSU. However, once I hit the power they turn off.
So far, I have removed GPU and SSD and down to one stick of RAM. I am still seeing the same thing, power to LED when I hit the PSU, but everything seems to cut out when I hit the on button.
I moved the RAM around and switched between the two sticks to no avail.
I did a paper clip test on the PSU and it seemed to start fans okay.
For now, I am currently avoiding removing the CPU if possible for fear of damaging it. Is there any reason to believe it would be the issue if it's been working okay for a year?
If this is a MOBO issue, do you suggest I test it outside of the case? It seems unlikely to me that the issue would be a short due to the case, but I haven't taken it out yet.
I try not to remove CPUs from mobo sockets unless I'm troubleshooting a fault or when I'm upgrading the processor, so I understand your reluctance to disturb the processor. I have yet to drop a CPU into a socket and bend the pins, but it could happen one day if I'm clumsy.
There might be an 'open circuit' if a spring contact in the socket is not making good electrical connection with the associated gold plated pad on the underside of the CPU. More likely in my opinion than a 'short circuit' anywhere.
CPU sockets can flex or distort when the cooler is screwed down too hard. Motherboards (especially LGA1700) have been known to bend, reducing contact pressure over some areas of the CPU.
As for a short circuit from the underside of the mobo to the case via a mis-placed metal standoff, I agree that's unlikely. You generally discover a standoff left over from a previous build as soon as you power up a new mobo, not aftera year of normal operation.
At this point I'd try another (known working) PSU. If the fault persists, it's something on the mobo. By swapping the PSU, with any luck you'll avoid disturbing the CPU.
It's difficult if you don't have another PSU to hand, because buying a new unit might be a complete waste of money if the mobo or CPU are faulty.
If you have a friend or relative who's prepared to risk their working PSU in your computer, that's one option. Their PSU should survive a possible short circuit but there's always a slight risk you might damage it.
If there's a local PC repair shop close by, that's option 2.