I think that I killed my home built computer...please help.

[vivalarevolución]

So I dove into my computer to remove the M.2 SSD from the bottom of the motherboard, and when I put everything back together and fired it up, nothing shows up on the monitor.  I'm wondering if I had some static in my hands, or if the parts still had some energy in them and got zapped when they contacted the metal case.  I wasn't exactly being extra careful in this situation.

  It's not a problem with the monitor because it works with other devices.  The power adapter, fans, and case buttons still work.   The motherboard still beeped when I removed the RAM.  So I'm basically not sure what I killed or what I need to replace.

 I would like to troubleshoot this before giving up and starting anew.  Ideally, I can identify the bad part and just replace that one part.  Any ideas, Geekhack?

[Skysophrenic]

Do the bios show up?

[vivalarevolución]

Do the bios show up?

No, nothing shows up on the screen.  I'm assuming that the problem is either the motherboard, RAM, or Cpu if nothing shows up.  I've also read that the power supply go bad, but still seem like it is working


Another caveat: While I did unplug the power supply from the outlet, I did not unplug the power supply from the components when I removed the SSD. I know realize that was not too bright.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

remove all but the vital components required to post

if post, add back devices until it no longer posts

if no post, it's one of the remaining devices (CPU, RAM, GPU, mobo)

[vivalarevolución]

remove all but the vital components required to post

if post, add back devices until it no longer posts

if no post, it's one of the remaining devices (CPU, RAM, GPU, mobo)

It's a no post with the vital components.

[sek1ne]

It's a no post with the vital components.

Any noises at all? beep codes?

[vivalarevolución]

It's a no post with the vital components.

Any noises at all? beep codes?

I got beeps when I removed the RAM.  I haven't tried turning it on with the CPU removed to check for beeps.

[fohat.digs]

There are beep codes relative to POST, and they tell a particular story. Getting one or more beeps is already encouraging.

I would assume that something is not plugged in properly before I would assume that something suddenly died.

In the past I had motherboards that refused to POST without something silly like a fan plugged in.

[tp4tissue]

clear cmos

[vivalarevolución]

clear cmos

There is a cmos reset button, which I pressed.  I read to remove the cmos battery, but I figure with the reset button, that would not be necessary.

[tp4tissue]

clear cmos

There is a cmos reset button, which I pressed.  I read to remove the cmos battery, but I figure with the reset button, that would not be necessary.

you need to remove battery, remove power cable, close power supply button,
AND HOLD the cmos reset button for 10 seconds.

[vivalarevolución]

clear cmos

There is a cmos reset button, which I pressed.  I read to remove the cmos battery, but I figure with the reset button, that would not be necessary.

you need to remove battery, remove power cable, close power supply button,
AND HOLD the cmos reset button for 10 seconds.

Well, I'll have to find the cmos battery first...

[vivalarevolución]

I unattached something that seemed like the cmos battery, because it was the only battery looking thing that seemed to be on the motherboard.  It didn't work.

The motherboard actually seems to be okay because it beeps, powers a USB drive, and didn't work when I removed the processor, but did work when I put the processor back in.  I actually don't know if that means anything or if I damaged anything by doing that.

I'm thinking it might be the RAM.  The motherboard beeped at me off and on when only one of the RAM sticks is in, and then didn't beep when only the other RAM stick was in.  I might buy some new RAM and see if that does the trick.  If it doesn't, then I don't know.

[nugglets]

Do you have on-board VGA? If so, remove the GPU and try using that to see if you get a video signal.

Try different RAM slots using only one stick. Alternate sticks if it doesn't work. Make sure they click in all the way on both sides.

[vivalarevolución]

Do you have on-board VGA? If so, remove the GPU and try using that to see if you get a video signal.

Try different RAM slots using only one stick. Alternate sticks if it doesn't work. Make sure they click in all the way on both sides.

I have a processor with integrated graphics and do not have a GPU.  I don't really need one for my computing habits.  it's a pretty basic setup.

I did the RAM stick shuffle, trying out each card in each slot, one at a time.  Sometimes it beeped with one stick in, sometimes it didn't.  Then I made sure that the sticks clicked all the way in and the beeping seemed to stop.  I put both in, made sure they clicked in firmly, but nothing still appears on the monitor.

Considering the earlier beeping with the RAM, I bought some new RAM.  Should be here by the end of the week.  If that doesn't work, I guess the problem is either the motherboard, processor, or power supply, but those don't seem like the problem, from what I can decipher with my amateur knowledge.

[vivalarevolución]

On another note, the universe appears to be conducting it's elaborate balancing act, because I found a working laptop in a dumpster that I can use in the meantime (I live near a university and went dumpster diving for items thrown out by students).  The Windows install seems corrupted, but it works with my USB sticks and SSDs that have Linux on installed on them.

[henz]

did you have the right source selected on the monitor?

usually if the computer starts yet nothing happens, it should make some kind of sound if something is broken,

if you suspect the graphics card is busted you can try plugging the monitor into the motherboards monitor port.

It can also be so that PSU is not providing enough power to make the computer function yet enough to run the fans.

[fohat.digs]

Extraordinary luck finding a laptop!

When you describe "nothing" showing on the monitor, it does come on with a splash screen, probably with the name of the manufacturer, when it is first powered on? It would be a shame to tear up a computer because the monitor failed.

[vivalarevolución]

Extraordinary luck finding a laptop!

When you describe "nothing" showing on the monitor, it does come on with a splash screen, probably with the name of the manufacturer, when it is first powered on? It would be a shame to tear up a computer because the monitor failed.

No splash screen, absolutely nothing.

did you have the right source selected on the monitor?

usually if the computer starts yet nothing happens, it should make some kind of sound if something is broken,

if you suspect the graphics card is busted you can try plugging the monitor into the motherboards monitor port.

It can also be so that PSU is not providing enough power to make the computer function yet enough to run the fans.

The monitor is plugged into the motherboard. It works with other devices and also seems to scan all the inputs and automatically shows a connected device.  I also don't have a GPU, just integrated graphics in the processor.

I have considered that the PSU is failing.  Best Buy has a decent one on sale for less than $40 that will meet my needs.  My current PSU is overkill, anyways.  it has more power and connections than I will ever need.

[SBJ]

Do you have on-board VGA? If so, remove the GPU and try using that to see if you get a video signal.

Try different RAM slots using only one stick. Alternate sticks if it doesn't work. Make sure they click in all the way on both sides.

I have a processor with integrated graphics and do not have a GPU.  I don't really need one for my computing habits.  it's a pretty basic setup.

I did the RAM stick shuffle, trying out each card in each slot, one at a time.  Sometimes it beeped with one stick in, sometimes it didn't.  Then I made sure that the sticks clicked all the way in and the beeping seemed to stop.  I put both in, made sure they clicked in firmly, but nothing still appears on the monitor.

Considering the earlier beeping with the RAM, I bought some new RAM.  Should be here by the end of the week.  If that doesn't work, I guess the problem is either the motherboard, processor, or power supply, but those don't seem like the problem, from what I can decipher with my amateur knowledge.

What type of beeps?
In the manual for your motherboard there are descriptions of what the different type of beep codes mean.

[vivalarevolución]

Longish, slow, repeated beeps.  They only occurred when I removed one or both of the RAM sticks.

The manual does not contain information on beep codes.  But I have read those types of beeps are related to RAM issues.

[vivalarevolución]

So the PSU is not the problem.  It either comes down to the RAM or the motherboard.  We'll see...

On another note, I have a used 500W EVGA PSU that still works, if anybody wants it...

[nugglets]

To have two RAM sticks die at the same time would be extraordinarily unlucky. More than likely, if that's the case, your memory controller is bad. What CPU do you have? Sandy-Bridge/Ivy-Bridge and later have the memory controller integrated into the CPU while previously they were part of the "northbridge" chipset on the motherboard.

[vivalarevolución]

To have two RAM sticks die at the same time would be extraordinarily unlucky. More than likely, if that's the case, your memory controller is bad. What CPU do you have? Sandy-Bridge/Ivy-Bridge and later have the memory controller integrated into the CPU while previously they were part of the "northbridge" chipset on the motherboard.

I have a Skylake build.  I just put this together late last year and decided to go with the newest generation of items, because why not.

[nugglets]

To have two RAM sticks die at the same time would be extraordinarily unlucky. More than likely, if that's the case, your memory controller is bad. What CPU do you have? Sandy-Bridge/Ivy-Bridge and later have the memory controller integrated into the CPU while previously they were part of the "northbridge" chipset on the motherboard.

I have a Skylake build.  I just put this together late last year and decided to go with the newest generation of items, because why not.

You have any small, non-chain PC repair places in the area? They are usually pretty good about not charging or only charging very small amounts to swap a couple components real quick to test things like this.

Assuming, of course, you don't have another LGA1151 CPU laying around. And most retailers will only accept opened CPU's for exchange, no refunds, so I wouldn't want you to go out and buy one only to find out there is something else at play.

[vivalarevolución]

To have two RAM sticks die at the same time would be extraordinarily unlucky. More than likely, if that's the case, your memory controller is bad. What CPU do you have? Sandy-Bridge/Ivy-Bridge and later have the memory controller integrated into the CPU while previously they were part of the "northbridge" chipset on the motherboard.

I have a Skylake build.  I just put this together late last year and decided to go with the newest generation of items, because why not.

You have any small, non-chain PC repair places in the area? They are usually pretty good about not charging or only charging very small amounts to swap a couple components real quick to test things like this.

Assuming, of course, you don't have another LGA1151 CPU laying around. And most retailers will only accept opened CPU's for exchange, no refunds, so I wouldn't want you to go out and buy one only to find out there is something else at play.

Yea, there are more than a few.  I can look into those.

[vivalarevolución]

Thanks to the help of a friend, we determined that the motherboard is dead.  Joy.  Not sure if I should buy a new motherboard or just get the a Mini PC that my heart has been lusting after for months.  I don't think that I actually need things like a super awesome processor or slot for a discrete graphics card.  I think that I can get by with a stock build.

[HPE1000]

what brand/model was the motherboard by the way?

[Darkshado]

Wouldn't the motherboard still be under warranty?

[tp4tissue]

Wouldn't the motherboard still be under warranty?

if it's a skylake build,  it should be hahahaha.

[fohat.digs]

I buy all my gear at Micro Center and they once gave me a new motherboard replacement that was about a week shy of being a year old.

And I hadn't bought the extended warranty.