Desktop Computer Fiasco

[Armenum]

Ok so this is the story. About year ago I upgraded by desktop with new cpu, GPU, power supply, and fan. After the upgrade everything worked perfectly. Then several months ago, the desktop began to shut down by itself and I suspected these were thermal based shutdowns. So I thought I though cooling was the problem, but at the time was busy and short on money so decided to just leave the case open and make sure to have good ventilation.

Then a few weeks later, I was sick of these thermal shut-downs and I took off the fan to inspect the cpu. I noticed a grease on it and though that might have been causing the shut-downs. Took all the grease off and then put it back in but then when I tried to turn on the computer, nothing showed up on the monitor. The computer sounded to be turned on but the power light was not illuminated.

At this point I don't know what to do. You think if I bought some of that CPU grease and put it on the cpu, it would turn on again? Or has the motherboard or cpu been damaged as a result of what I did?

Thanks.

[karamazovmm]

when you removed the the fan, have you reapplied the paste? Or you just cleaned everything and let the cpu contact with the fan?

If so you should buy the thermal paste, and apply it, see the sticky in the top on how to do it right

[Armenum]

when you removed the the fan, have you reapplied the paste? Or you just cleaned everything and let the cpu contact with the fan?

If so you should buy the thermal paste, and apply it, see the sticky in the top on how to do it right

I let the cpu contact with the fan. And when I did this then the computer turned on without any display (and with now power light).

You think just simply reapplying the paste may make it work?

[Freddie]

I doubt the lack thermal grease is the reason why your pc isn't booting anymore, the heatsink will still be enough to cool the cpu without it for the time being. Best case is you have a lose power connection wost case is you passed on static.

[Armenum]

I doubt the lack thermal grease is the reason why your pc isn't booting anymore, the heatsink will still be enough to cool the cpu without it for the time being. Best case is you have a lose power connection wost case is you passed on static.

The thing is my pc turns on, the fans spin, but nothing displays on the monitor and also the power light on the desktop is not illuminated even though the pc is on. Also, this started happening only after I took all the grease off the cpu so I believe me taking the grease off and the desktop not displaying anything on the monitor are related events (except if it's huge coincidence)

[Freddie]

The thing is my pc turns on, the fans spin, but nothing displays on the monitor and also the power light on the desktop is not illuminated even though the pc is on. Also, this started happening only after I took all the grease off the cpu so I believe me taking the grease off and the desktop not displaying anything on the monitor are related events (except if it's huge coincidence)

In that case a simple motherboard reset my fix it, have a look for the round chrome CMOS battery and take it out for 10 mins then put it back in. This will reset your motherboard back to factory settings and might solve this problem.

[Armenum]

In that case a simple motherboard reset my fix it, have a look for the round chrome CMOS battery and take it out for 10 mins then put it back in. This will reset your motherboard back to factory settings and might solve this problem.

I took it out for 1 minute, but no change. Should I take it out for 10 minutes instead? Will it make a difference?

[Armenum]

OK, I bought some thermal paste and reapplied it to the cpu, but still no display on monitor

[Freddie]

I don't like to be a doom monger but it sounds like you passed on static electric to your motherboard when you messing around with your heatsink, it looks like your looking at a new board. If your PC is new you might be able to get it replaced under warranty.

[Armenum]

I don't like to be a doom monger but it sounds like you passed on static electric to your motherboard when you messing around with your heatsink, it looks like your looking at a new board. If your PC is new you might be able to get it replaced under warranty.

So you think I should get a new motherboard? Any recommendations? Also you think I would need new cpu?

[PoleCat]

So you think I should get a new motherboard? Any recommendations? Also you think I would need new cpu?

Depending on the CPU you shouldn't need a new one. Do you have a spare CPU at all? Try replacing the CMOS battery and try again with a different CPU (Don't buy a new one just for testing!!!). Just hook up the keyboard and leave all other devices disconnected.

Also, are you sure your PSU is working properly? Just because you're getting some power doesn't mean that it wasn't shocked instead of the motherboard....

As for recommendations - what system do you have? What's your budget? I assume you want something compatible with your other existing hardware....

[Armenum]

Depending on the CPU you shouldn't need a new one. Do you have a spare CPU at all? Try replacing the CMOS battery and try again with a different CPU (Don't buy a new one just for testing!!!). Just hook up the keyboard and leave all other devices disconnected.

Also, are you sure your PSU is working properly? Just because you're getting some power doesn't mean that it wasn't shocked instead of the motherboard....

As for recommendations - what system do you have? What's your budget? I assume you want something compatible with your other existing hardware....

Ok, I do have my old cpu that I tried few times and it didn't work. I don't think it's the CMOS battery because the fans which are connected to the motherboard work. And yes my PSU is working fine.

My original specs are: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113072

So I bought originally a Gateway GT5694 desktop. However I replaced, my cpu with the new AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition. I also replaced my PSU with something that provided more power. I also bought a Nvidia GT 9800 graphics card.

In terms of price, I can't really say since I know next to nothing about the motherboard market. I'm always looking for something high end because I've used this desktop for gaming often (e.g. playing ETW on very high)

[PoleCat]

I'm sorry but I won't give advice on AMD - I just don't know well enough to steer you correctly.

From what I can tell that MB isn't too bad. You could do worse than to order the same and try it again. Otherwise look to newegg for guidance - their customers reviews are actually very good if taken as a whole.

Not all modern systems use the audible test pattern during boot but there should be some sound if that MB was still good as far as I can tell. There are other explanations but a fried MB sounds like the most likely cause.

I can't give you the most sound advice but I can second Freddie's opinion - It sounds like you didn't ground properly while doing maintenance. Good luck!

And next time - don't wipe the thermal gel off of the heat sink. Sorry!

[Cyrus the Virus]

I could also mention GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3, that is my current mobo.

The MSI I had got replaced when broke.

Is perhaps a bit old now though.

[Big Boss]

He said he's already replaced the PSU. What kind did you upgrade to?

[Armenum]

He said he's already replaced the PSU. What kind did you upgrade to?

I don't know the brand, but it provides 520 W which is more than enough for GPU. The PSU has never been a problem. It's either the motherboard or CPU.

[Karklos]

I don't know the brand, but it provides 520 W which is more than enough for GPU. The PSU has never been a problem. It's either the motherboard or CPU.

You should check the brand because it does matter. Cheaper manufacturers will pretty much plain lie about their wattage.

[Taiji]

Ok. So I want to buy this motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131595) and this cpu (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103846)

What do you think of this combination?

I'd recommend this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128405

And this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115222

I know it's more expensive, but if you can afford it, and particularly if you're overclocking, you won't regret it.

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BTW about the problem.... lol you really messed that up... I'm normally quite considerate but that is quite hilarious

Still I rate you much much higher than people who dare not touch the insides of their PC.

If I encountered the same issue I would have established that the shutdowns were being caused by heat before opening the PC

Now I guess you may never know.

I don't know the brand, but it provides 520 W which is more than enough for GPU. The PSU has never been a problem. It's either the motherboard or CPU.

Yeah cos now you've been inside your PC and broken it, you're an expert? ... Or how do you know your PSU is working? You absolutely must have tested it in another machine to know that. Especially when you're experiencing symptoms of PSU failure.

Basic PC maintenance: If your PC don't power on, check the power.

If your pc power light does not come on but you hear fans: swap the power, and then swap the mobo.

If your light does come on, along with the fans: swap the power, and then swap the mobo. It's most likely to be the mobo but you'll feel an idiot if you didn't check the power first.

[Armenum]

BTW about the problem.... lol you really messed that up... I'm normally quite considerate but that is quite hilarious

Still I rate you much much higher than people who dare not touch the insides of their PC.

If I encountered the same issue I would have established that the shutdowns were being caused by heat before opening the PC

Now I guess you may never know.



Yeah cos now you've been inside your PC and broken it, you're an expert? ... Or how do you know your PSU is working? You absolutely must have tested it in another machine to know that. Especially when you're experiencing symptoms of PSU failure.

Basic PC maintenance: If your PC don't power on, check the power.

If your pc power light does not come on but you hear fans: swap the power, and then swap the mobo.

If your light does come on, along with the fans: swap the power, and then swap the mobo. It's most likely to be the mobo but you'll feel an idiot if you didn't check the power first.[/QUOTE]

I ordered the parts already. I'll admit I'm not an expert but I know the basic things about computer hardware. I doubt it's the PSU that was causing thermal shutdowns. I believe thermal shutdowns were caused by the lack of thermal grease on the CPU. When I removed the grease entirely , it must have burned out the CPU. I tried an old CPU that I had that always worked and still the comp didn't show anything on desktop. So I figured that the motherboard had been fried. I doubt it's the PSU, but I'll see who knows.

[Taiji]

I ordered the parts already. I'll admit I'm not an expert but I know the basic things about computer hardware. I doubt it's the PSU that was causing thermal shutdowns. I believe thermal shutdowns were caused by the lack of thermal grease on the CPU. When I removed the grease entirely , it must have burned out the CPU. I tried an old CPU that I had that always worked and still the comp didn't show anything on desktop. So I figured that the motherboard had been fried. I doubt it's the PSU, but I'll see who knows.

Hmmm no you won't. Usually noone knows what was wrong with it until they have fixed it. Perhaps the grammar of your last sentence confused me...

You don't call it a 'thermal shutdown' without a reason, you're just confusing yourself. If you have a reason and you're not telling us then you're just confusing us.

The final point I'll make is that the CPU can't prevent the light from showing on the front of your PC. It's impossible. So that's most likely PSU and if not then mobo.

Your CPU is probably fine and certainly isn't causing that part of the issue.