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How can I start my PC without using the case pwr button

I

Ike0069

Diamond Member
I just got my X1900XT today. So I shutdown to swap cards. I removed my 6800GT, then installed the 1900. Cleaned up the case a little bit, and then tried to restart it.

Nothing happened. There is an LED lit on the pwr switch on the back of my PSU, but I'm not sure what that tells me other than it is getting pwr from the wall.

I reseated the my cards and all the molex connectors and the case pwr switch connector and reset CMOS, all with no luck. I hit the case pwr button and absolutley nothing happens. No fans spin, no LED's light up, nothing.

So I'm thinking may I somehow messed up the 2-pin pwr switch connector that connects to the MB. I know the when I was taking out my 6800, it knocked into that area of the MB slightly. I looked at eveything closely and nothing appears to be damaged, but obviously something went wrong.

So is there a way to by pass the case pwr switch? Or is there any other things I can try? This is extremely depressing. Please help.

 
You can start the computer by taking a flat head screwdriver and toucing the tip to the two power switch pins on the motherboard. The metal screwdriver completes the circuit.

Also, make sure there is nothing that might be causing a short on the motherboard (i.e. a spare screw that is laying around in teh case somewhere). Make sure everything is seated and connected properly (i know you said you did but just make sure). Make sure the power switch to your power supply is turned on.
 
Well, that didn't work. What's the best way to check my PSU? I have a DMM. Is there a quick way to check to see if it's dead or not using my meter?

I usually don't have trouble troubleshooting things like this, but I just don't understand what could have happened. All screws are accounted for, and I don't know how I could have shorted teh MB or killed the PSU doing something I have done many times in the past without issue.
 
hmmm if you did the screwdriver trick as I said then it should have started (make sure your touching both pins at the same time). Makes me think the power supply is not giving out power. For the multi meter use this link:

http://www.worldwide-training.com/articles/article23.htm

Or if you have another system you could try connect the PSU to that one and see if it works.

Also smell the PSU if you smell any hot plastic or melting smells that could indicate that the PSU is fried.
 
Ok, so I took off my 20+4 pin ATX connector and jumpered the green wire and the PSU and the case fan I had connected started up. So I know the PSU is fine. I'll now try pllugging in things one at a time to see if something is causing a short.

 
Well, with absolutely nothing plugged in but the ATX connector, I get nothing. So I guess that means the MB is dead.

Is there anything else I should try before I go and buy another MB? Why do things like this always happen to me on a weekend? This really sucks. 🙁
 
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Well, with absolutely nothing plugged in but the ATX connector, I get nothing. So I guess that means the MB is dead.
Click to expand...

I assume you mean the +12v connector also? What about with CPU and one stick of RAM?
 
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Well, with absolutely nothing plugged in but the ATX connector, I get nothing. So I guess that means the MB is dead.
Click to expand...

I am not sure if you have confirmed if the power switch is not the cause of the problem.
It is not clear if you got the fans going with the 24-pin connector connected to the motherboard or only with shorting the green wire to black.
 
Actually, by stating that nothing was connected, I meant power wise. I left the CPu and RAM connected and put my old card in the slot, just didn't give anything any power but the MB. I did try it with and without the +12V CPU connector.

I'm going to start from scratch like it's a new build and see what happens.

I truly appreciate the comments. Any other ideas, please let me know.
 
OK, I figured out why it was dead. I have a USB add on adapter connected to my MB. My MB has a 9-pin connector, while the adapter has a 10-pin plug.

I had this adapter connected previously, but had to remove it while I was swapping video cards. Well I guess I reconnected it wrong because as soon as I removed it, my fans started for just a split second (power cord was removed from PSU, just residual power). So I turned the connector 180 and hit the power button and my case fans started.

Then I put everything back in and it fired off just fine.........except now I have no video. WTF!! Throuble shooting this now.
 
Ok, I have it working now. Apparently is was that damn USB adapter the whole time. Now I might have fried it when I connected it the wrong way and tried to power on the PC, but after connecting everything but that I am now in windows installing my ATI drivers.

I guess I'll just have to learn from this one. I honestly didn't thin it mattered which way this plug went into the MB because where there is then missing pin on the MB, there is a ground on the plug no matter which way you connect it. Deos it normally matter which way you turn these plugs when connecting it to the MB?

Anyways, all is good.........for now at tleast. 🙂
 
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