Noob needs help troubleshooting

[Crimson22]

So I built my computer myself 3 years ago and recently decided I needed a new case (oh what a bad idea). So in preperation of ordering a new case I was going to clean the inside of my old case with some compressed air. The only thing that I unplugged and removed was the harddrive and the harddrive cage. After cleaning I replaced the cage and replugged the hdd in. Went to hit the power button and nothing, no beeps, no fans spinning just complete silence. I opened the case and inspected all the power connections including the power switch coming from the case and all seemed well. And I dont think the power supply would work one minute and not the next. And this is my only computer so I cannot test components seperately. So I am open to any suggestions anyone may have. Thanks for your time!!

If it helps I have a s939 msi mobo with an 3200+ cpu and a 480 W Antec PSU.

 

[Harvey]

It sounds like something is shorting out your power supply. Unplug your RAM and all plug-in cards, and blow out the sockets, in case your last blow out left some conductive crud in there. Then, firmly re-insert your vid card and only one stick of RAM, and power it up just long enough to see if the fans start spinning.

If that works, add in the rest of your plug in stuff because you'll know where the problem is. If it fails, one of your plug in items may have failed.

Hope that helps.

 

[robisbell]

I think a clump of dust in wedged under the motherboard and is shorting out the system.

 

[Cutthroat]

Did you by any chance turn off the power switch on the back of the PSU either by accident or on purpose while cleaning and forget to turn it back on?

Most motherboards have a green LED that will be lit when the board has power. Do you have that LED, and is it lit?

Originally posted by: robisbell
I think a clump of dust in wedged under the motherboard and is shorting out the system.

Unless the dust is made of metal shavings, thankfully dust is non-conductive, or else there would be a lot of shorted out motherboards out there.

Compressed air is not the best thing to use to clean your PC, I've seen where dust was blown into RAM slots and not noticed causing a no POST situation, but when the dust is removed it will work again.

 

[Crimson22]

Ok I reseated everything and checked the switch on the back of the psu and still no change. I was thinking of building a complete new system neway now I have just got a better excuse . My only question is how big of a risk do you think I would taking by keeping the same power supply? I am 90% sure its working but it would suck to fry the new stuff. Thanks for all the suggestions!