I'm facing a pretty frustrating issue with my PC where it just won't boot or display anything. The fans for the CPU, case, and GPU spin for a bit but then stop, and the Ethernet port gives a brief orange blink before everything resets. I've tried both HDMI and DisplayPort on my dedicated GPU, but there's no signal at all. The keyboard doesn't light up, and the mouse doesn't respond either, no matter which USB port I use. I disconnected my SSDs, but even my USB drives aren't reacting aside from a brief flash when plugged in. This started after some BIOS settings changes, and I usually fix similar issues by resetting the CMOS, but that hasn't worked this time.
I want to figure out which hardware component might be causing the problem. I have some basic hardware, but not all are reliable since they were previously used in faulty setups. I do have a multimeter—can I use it to check for voltage or other issues before replacing components? Would flashing the BIOS help? Here are my specs:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (no integrated graphics)
- GPU: Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX6600 8GB
- Mainboard: Gigabyte B550 GAMING X V2 rev 1.3
- RAM: 2x8GB CORSAIR VENGEANCE 3200 MHz
- PSU: Sharkoon SHP 600W 80+ BRONZE
- Case: Corsair 4000D Airflow Tempered Glass
- OS: Debian Linux
I'm really desperate for any advice or ideas. Thanks a lot!
2 Answers
First off, try stripping down your PC to just the essentials: keep only the CPU, one stick of RAM, and the PSU plugged in. Double-check the jumpers, especially the CLR_RTC one. Make sure the processor, RAM, and graphics card are properly reseated. Look for any physical damage on the motherboard or if any debris is causing a short. If the PSU shows no signs of malfunction, you might want to test it with a multimeter or a PSU tester, since that's an easier component to swap out without risking your other hardware. If that doesn’t solve the problem, you might be looking at a dead motherboard or CPU.
It's crucial to pull out the PSU and check that it's providing stable power across all its rails. Use a PSU tester if you can get your hands on one. If one of the rails, especially the 12V, is faulty, it could prevent the system from booting properly. Reseat everything—sometimes a loose connection can cause these problems. Also, memory issues can easily resemble motherboard failures, so fully checking that could be a good next step.
Thanks for that! I’ll try out the PSU testing tonight, and I’ll keep you updated on what I find out.
I really appreciate your suggestions! I’ll definitely start with checking those components and see what I find.