Motherboard Power Problems

Rezident

Rezident

Rezident

Soldato
Joined
29 May 2007
Posts
4,917
Location
Dublin
When I press the power button nothing turns on, no fans, no HDDs no lights, nothing, so I thought the PSU died. Tried another PSU and still no power to anything so I thought it was the motherboard. However, when I take the motherboard out of the case it does work. I put it back in the case with just CPU, ram, gpu and HD and it works! Wire everything up and all the HDs etc. and no power again.

I thought it might be the actual power header on the case but when I use a screwdriver on the PWR headers on the motherboard, still no power (it did work outside the case).

I found a loose screw inside the case so I thought it was causing a short circuit but after removing it, there is still no power. :confused: By 12:30 am I was about to defenestrate the entire system. What are the most likely causes left?

Any ideas? I’ve even tried to make sure none of the cables are touching the board, why is no power getting through inside the case when it’s fine outside the case every time?
Cheers.
 
You made sure youre using the mobo stand offs?
Definitely sounds like a short between board and case, youll just have to find out where the contact is being made and see if you can insulate it
 
95thrifles said:
You made sure youre using the mobo stand offs?
Definitely sounds like a short between board and case, youll just have to find out where the contact is being made and see if you can insulate it
Click to expand...

Yes all nine standoffs are in place. It does seem like a short circuit but I just cannot see where it could be happening.
 
lionheart766 said:
Had this myself once, it was shorting on the backplate near the keyboard connector.
Click to expand...

How did you find out exactly where it was shorting. I've been at it for the last two hours - one minute it will power on fine. One minute later - all I've done it clicked in one more SATA cable - and it will not power on at all.

I cannot see where it's shorting. It's really quite exquisitely infuriating. :)
 
I think I was lucky to see it, it is just a case of seeing where the motherboard is making contact with the case. Of course you could remove the backplate and try then. You need to eliminate as much metal as possible.
 
95thrifles said:
dodgy cable or port maybe? tried different port and/or cable?
Click to expand...

Not cables as I've tried several, motherboard always works outside the case with all of them, not inside the case with any of them. I've tried all the different ports, it doesn't matter which ones I use.

I don't know why the motherboard would suddenly start shorting out when it's been working fine for about two years. There's no physical damage or burning anywhere on it and it does not appear to be touching anything (other than the backplate) topside.

There could be something under the board. Someone elsewhere mentioned putting cardboard or plastic under the motherboard - how safe/useful would that be?
 
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