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Interesting PSU problem

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by tiamatsbane

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Okay so this may or may not be related to the power supply but at this point I'm stumped. I recently bought some new hardware to start putting together a new computer. I get everything put together but it doesn't start. First thought is the power supply so I pull out an extra one I know is goodand try it out. Still doesn't start. I get curious and start messing around. Still nothing. By chance I start to pull the connectors from the MOBO, and not realizing I still had the PSU still plugged, the light on the motherboard comes on for the power. I find this odd, so I pull up slightly on the 24 pin connector and the light comes on. I hold this position and try and turn on the computer but still nothing. So I'm stumped at this point, what could be the issue? The PSU seems to be fine. I've tried two seperate motherboards at this point (same make and model) just to test and its the same thing. Any ideas?

11 replies

by mjd420nova

I have seen some cold solder joints and busted connectors on the power supply connectors on the motherboard. That would account for the intermittent power lights when moving the power supply connector around while mounted to the motherboard. It's possible the trace has seperated from the pin on the connector. Look closely at the motherboard, both top and bottom at the p/s connector.

by tiamatsbane

I checked the connectors as you suggested and they look fine. Even pulled an extra light up close to make sure I could see everything clearly. I'm baffled, this doesn't make any sense.

by absolutely

You had "connected" the 24-pin power bundle from the PSU to the mobo, and the power LED on the mobo was OFF. Then, you pushed that "connection" up and the LED switched ON. The ON power LED only indicates that the ground wire is making contact, and that one of the many positive voltages is making the necessary contact for the power LED. There are 22 other pins that are not "tested" by the ON/OFF state of the power LED -- it is only an indication of absence of power, not positive proof that all contacts are OK. Whatever the root cause of the power LED being OFF when you [b]don't[/b] push up on the 24-pin connector, pushing the connector upward seems not to be solving the problem for all 24 pins.

RMA the mobo.

by thechas

Since the 5 volt standby light came on when you pulled up on the connector, I am going to suggest that the motherboard is somehow shorting out to the case.

Somewhere, a lead standoff or part of the I/O shield is shorting out the motherboard and shutting down the 5 volt standby supply.

Another possibility is if you have a regular AGP card, it is not seating all the way into it's socket and is shorting out the power bus.

Chas

by mjd420nova

Often in a new build, some of the holes in the motherboard where it gets screwed down require either a plastic standoff or insulating washers on both sides of the board. Check closely around the underside of the board and the standoffs near the p/s connector, maybe it's shorting out there and lifting the board just slightly eliminates the short. Just an after thought. AGP not seated could be the clue too.

by bmr772006

I have the same thing happening to me its about 6months old. I tried to upgrade ram cause im not smart. I used 2700 ddr well it hasnt powerd up ever since and there is a red light on the mother board. The fan starts to spin and nothing I even tried new power supplies. AWWWEEE me I wish there was help out there.

by blacksky82

Upgrading ram does not make you any less smart. First off you made a smart move by just joining this website. The help that you wished for is on this site.
As for your issue,this could be a multitude of issues. You could have damaged the motherboard somehow. ESD is a big culprit in electronics/computers
Switching over from ten years of electronics experience to the IT field, Ive managed to destroy some seriously expensive equipment (Naval Weapon systems)when I was just "diving" in, happens to the best of us.
Try taking your motherboard to be tested at a pc repair place. Spending money on "easter egg" troubleshooting is definitely not the best route. I would try the following first.
Make sure that the ram you actually put into the motherboard is the correct pin type? Even if you manage to make the ram fit it may not exactly be the correct count and you could be shorting two pins together.
I would also see to make sure all your slots are seated properly, especially the ram. Since you have tried a new power supply you may have a mother board issue.

by blacksky82

I think he asked his question but I wasnt sure... to go 6 months tho without help I tried to answer it the best I could, though I think that he was having issues with getting his computer to power up after changing/ upgrading his RAM.

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