Pc won't boot after reapplying cpu thermal compound.

[stopper]

I build mine on carpet too. Well not entirely. I place a section from a large cardboard box on the floor first but that still means I'm kneeling on the carpet. But I always, always wear an antistatic wrist strap when doing a new build. It's possible that something may have gotten static damaged from last time it was built (static damage is often delayed in showing up as a fault) and this build/maintenance just became the push it needed to fall over.

There really is no need to go to such extremes, that advice was just a fail safe back when no one knew much about PCs and home electronics.
But as long as the PSU is discharged and you ground yourself on a bit of the non painted metal case before touching components, you will be fine. Unlucky for the OP his case is fully painted.
The only part you need to be extra careful with is the CPU itself, which you would normally grab from the sides anyway.

 

[Baldbloke]

There really is no need to go to such extremes, that advice was just a fail safe back when no one knew much about PCs and home electronics.
But as long as the PSU is discharged and you ground yourself on a bit of the non painted metal case before touching components, you will be fine. Unlucky for the OP his case is fully painted.
The only part you need to be extra careful with is the CPU itself, which you would normally grab from the sides anyway.

Sorry stopper. I have a different view on that. I don't want to hijack the op thread. And in all probability, it isn't static damaged.

But there is a common belief among people who build pcs that they have never caused static damage. This is because static damage can not be seen and is rarely evident at the time it occurs. . Static damage can take several months to appear. By that time, no one makes a link between the fault and previous circuitry handling. Static damage is even more of a consideration these days. I'm not trying to disagree with you. (Honest) just expressing my own view. Further reading here: http://samplecode.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/sb/8000-sb001_-en-p.pdf

 

[SouthEastBlue]

I've heard that before about static damage taking a while to appear on computer components.

Building a computer on a carpet is asking for trouble in my opinion.

If you had to place it on the floor then I would have put it on some kind of cardboard or something... And preferably stood on something too. It could just be a single component damaged, although it may be more than one without getting some spare test parts.

 

[VaderDSL]

Is that photo of the full system after you replaced the TIM? if so looks like you've used way too much.

I take it both the 24pin and 8 pin power cables were plugged in securely? I think the big one is 24 pin.

 

[Baldbloke]

OP, I have no idea what's wrong with your pc. Just mentioned static as a possibility. Not trying to push it as likely.


Part of the trouble hobbyists have is readily obtainable spares to try and eliminate possibilities. Often it's impossible to be sure of something without trying a replacement. How you getting on with it?

 

[Plec]

Also, the skeleton build still failed

As you've tried the skeleton setup i would now test the PSU as it's one of the the next logical steps.

Below are links to Huddy's site which has a step by step guide on how to test your PSU using a volt/multimeter:

'Use a multimeter to check your PSU' and one to 'How to check if your PSU is faulty'

 

[Surveyor]

In the photograph of the CPU there's a dark patch at the bottom.

Is that a shadow or can you actually see it on the CPU?

 

[Fledge]

Is that photo of the full system after you replaced the TIM? if so looks like you've used way too much.

No, that pic was taken after removing the cooler.

Is that a shadow or can you actually see it on the CPU?

That's just a shadow


Currently I've got half a mind to take it to pizzy world and see what they can do there : /

Thanks Plec I'll give that a go later or tomorrow

 

[Surveyor]

Currently I've got half a mind to take it to pizzy world and see what they can do there

You must be desperate

 

[Plec]

Thanks Plec I'll give that a go later or tomorrow

No problem - hope you find a solution.

Did you try alternating the memory in the skelton setup - i.e. tried one stick and then the other?

Also could you just confirm that you only had the cpu, HS, 1 stick of memory and gfx connected (plus mininum PSU connections) when you tried the skeleton setup? (and that it was all outside of the case - just need to check as people have differing ideas of a skeleton setup.)

 

[Fledge]

No problem - hope you find a solution.

Did you try alternating the memory in the skelton setup - i.e. tried one stick and then the other?

Also could you just confirm that you only had the cpu, HS, 1 stick of memory and gfx connected (plus mininum PSU connections) when you tried the skeleton setup? (and that it was all outside of the case - just need to check as people have differing ideas of a skeleton setup.)

Yeah I tried all memory combinations with the two sticks.
For the skeleton setup I had it all outside the case using only the cpu (+cooler) and ram - but it still failed : /

 

[Plec]

:/

Hopefully the rudimentary PSU test will give something up.

 

[Fledge]

There is a small snag with that plan - I don't have a multi-meter or any spare wiring.

Can't ocuk send a repair man that doesn't charge extortionate prices or something? :s

 

[Plec]

You can pick one up for ~£8 and you can get a bit of wire from an extension cable by shortening it's surplus length.

Are you able to beg, borrow or steal any other memory or gfx card card to test in the rig?

 

[Fledge]

Are you able to beg, borrow or steal any other memory or gfx card card to test in the rig?

I couldn't really get my hands on any more memory but I could get another graphics card - although I don't believe that's what's causing the problem as it still happened when I had either of those components removed.

 

[Blue160]

It's sounding horribly like you shorted something out at some point and fried the board. When you stripped it down to clean the thermal compound did you wait till the power LED on the board went out before starting work? It doesnt do this immediately when you disconnect the power, although you can hurry it along by pressing the power button with the PSU switched off. Hope I'm wrong

 

[Fledge]

When you stripped it down to clean the thermal compound did you wait till the power LED on the board went out before starting work?

I'm almost definitely sure I waited for all signs of life to go before touching anything; it's what I usually do so I don't see why I wouldn't

 

[Blue160]

I'm almost definitely sure I waited for all signs of life to go before touching anything; it's what I usually do so I don't see why I wouldn't

Fair enough

Hope you get it sorted.

 

[stopper]

Sorry stopper. I have a different view on that. I don't want to hijack the op thread. And in all probability, it isn't static damaged.

But there is a common belief among people who build pcs that they have never caused static damage. This is because static damage can not be seen and is rarely evident at the time it occurs. . Static damage can take several months to appear. By that time, no one makes a link between the fault and previous circuitry handling. Static damage is even more of a consideration these days. I'm not trying to disagree with you. (Honest) just expressing my own view. Further reading here: http://samplecode.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/sb/8000-sb001_-en-p.pdf

Can't quite make out what you were trying to say here really.
Just seems like we both agreed to be properly grounded before handling components.

 

[Baldbloke]

There really is no need to go to such extremes, that advice was just a fail safe back when no one knew much about PCs and home electronics..

I am trying to say that static precautions are as important today as they were when cmos technology chips first came to popularity. It IS necessary to go to such extremes.. There is a general lack of awareness about static, what it is and what it does.