I decided to clean out my CPU fan as it was clogged, when I assembled everything again it won’t turn on 🙁

It’s an old desktop PC. There are no lights glowing on the motherboard at all, though there is none specifically labelled “power”. Just CPU, RAM, BOOT. None of these light up, not even a flash when it starts.

I have reseated the RAM, CPU, power cables. Removed the GPU to check.

The cord leading in to the PSU works but I don’t have a way to test the PSU itself or the out cables, but I have reseated them at each end.

This PC was working fine before. But with no lights on the motherboard I suspect either the mobo or PSU?

Mobo is asrock x570 PSU is silverstone 650w strider gold S series

Any help appreciated!

Edit: I made a new post asking for hardware recommendations.

Edit 2: I managed to get a light on the motherboard, going to buy some more thermal paste and keep tinkering to see if I can get it started!

Edit 3: I never got that light to go again. In the end the comments on the other post convinced me that I had all that I needed for what I wanted (no upgrade needed), so I changed tack to seeing how to fix it. I had suspicions about the power connection still, so I bought a cheap PSU and tested it, no change. Then I bought a new motherboard (also a pretty cheap one, the cheapest that had what I needed and was also in a local store) and in the end that was the issue. Everything is up and running again now! Thanks for all the help everyone, you can now settle your bets.

  • NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.worldEnglish
    51·
    1 month ago

    It’s an old desktop PC

    One (or more) of the electrolytic capacitors in your PSU has died.

    Remove the power cord, wait for 2 hours, open the PSU and look carefully for the candidate(s) with the domed head. Healthy ones are perfectly flat on the head.

    Order a new one and replace it.

        • Dave@lemmy.nzOPEnglish
          2·
          1 month ago

          I followed someone else’s instructions. Expected putting a paperclip in in and plugging it in/turning it on would cause the fan to start up. It did.

          https://robots.net/tech/how-to-power-up-psu-without-motherboard/

          Fan in PSU started up fine, apparently this is a sign that the PSU is not dead. Fan does not turn on when connected to the motherboard, which supports the theory that the PSU isn’t the issue.

          • tfw_no_toiletpaper@lemmy.worldEnglish
            6·
            1 month ago

            I had this exact issue on an old gaming PC, PSU wouldn’t power the MB, but would be fine by itself. My GPU had a short, gods know how it happened. Juts keep disconnecting parts and try powering up again until you get the LED indicator. If everything is gone and it still won’t power on, it’s the MB. You could get a multimeter and measuring the power lines to see if there is a short (5V to ground, 12V to ground and I think there are 24V lines?). Maybe look for burst or burned capacitors and if you’re crafty and able to solder replace them. Otherwise replace the MB or defect parts.

            • Dave@lemmy.nzOPEnglish
              1·
              1 month ago

              I bought a multimeter and followed a youtube video to test the power supply, all the voltages are correct so it seems it’s fine. It’s got to be the motherboard or CPU as I’ve tried an out of case test with just CPU, mobo, PSU, RAM (and also tested without the RAM) and there’s no sign of life at all.