Unplugged fan while computer was on...uh oh

[rtcpenguin]

Basically I did what I said in the post title. I unplugged a case fan (directly connected to the PSU) while the PC was on. The computer immediately shut off, and I was able to get it to start about 3-4 more times but it would only stay on for ten or fifteen seconds. Now I get no response at all when I hit the power button--no post codes or fans or anything.

I tested the PSU by manually jumping pin 14 to 15 and it powered on, and I also tried a backup PSU, so now Im guessing it could be the mobo...any ideas on what the problem could be?

 

[unhuman]

Y'know, this sorta sounds like a problem I had with a refurb mobo.

I bet if you unplug your computer for a while, then plug it in again, it'll start....

But... the problem recurrs. I dumped my mobo.

 

[rtcpenguin]

I tried that and I even tried a backup power supply and it still won't come on.

Is it possible the power interruption could have damaged the mainboard?

 

[unhuman]

sounds like it... It working 3 or 4 times and then bombing is certainly confusing though.

But you should hope you bombed the mobo and not the cpu or the memory or anything else. Pull all your cards.

Btw - I *HATE* the foo fighters.

 

[Captante]

Clear the CMOS & try again before you give up ... when you do it be sure to disconnect the AC power & remover the cmos battery as well, then let it sit for a few minutes in the "clear cmos" jumper position.

If it doesn't work then yes, you may have killed the motherboard, but keep in mind that just because your PSU fired up doesn't mean for certain its not damaged ... are you 100% sure the backup PSU is good too?

 

[erickj92]

Ya, clear the cmos and if that dont work them you could take the parts, like your fan, ram, and cpu, and put it in a similar motherboard and see of any of those parts are the problem

 

[rtcpenguin]

The backup PSU I tried was brand new and turned on when I manually connected the green wire on the 24-pin header to a ground.

I removed the CMOS battery for a couple minutes, manually jumped the CLR_CMOS pins, and disconnected all devices from the PSU except the mobo 24 pin header and 4 pin P4 header. Still no luck, so I ordered a replacement MOBO.

I've been having really bad luck with mobos lately it seems.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

By unplugging hot you might have caused a damaging voltage spike.

 

[erickj92]

Im with GalvanizedYankee on this one. Did you happen to have a surge protector?

 

[rtcpenguin]

Yeah but I dont see how a surge protector can protect internal components from an internal voltage surge.

 

[Slikkster]

It's always helpful if you provide system specs, like make/model of motherboard, psu, etc.