Question PC won't turn on after lighting strike/power surge

PreachTru

Senior member
Sep 19, 2002
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***SOLVED***

There was a lightning strike extremely close to the house that caused a power surge and now my computer won't turn on.

I followed the power supply troubleshooting recommended by the manufacturer (Corsair) of jumping the PSU to test it, and according to Corsair the PSU is fine (the PSU fan turns when power first applied). I also tried a different PSU and the system still won't turn on. At this point I'm thinking the motherboard is bad?

I've also tried removing the RAM, replace one at a time, only turning on the PC with motherboard and CPU power connected, still nothing.
 
Last edited:

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
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Power surges can damage all parts of a computer.

You'll have to test everything out, and if you don't have the spare components to do it, it might be cheaper to take it to a PC repair shop and let them diagnose it. That said, outside of the power supply, the motherboard and GPU would be next in line to take the power surge.

Do you not have your PC on a good surge protector and/or a UPS?
 

PreachTru

Senior member
Sep 19, 2002
896
0
76
So I got it fixed after spending an hour+ on it. I have an ITX motherboard and it doesn't have a standard CMOS battery like a full size motherboard would have. The CMOS batter on my mobo is tucked away, encased in black plastic, and plugs into the tiniest connector I've ever seen on a motherboard. Once I disconnected the CMOS battery the system powerd on and is working fine now.