I recently added a new SSD to my computer and now it won't power on at all. Here's what happened: I connected the SSD using the existing SATA cable, but I only had three female ends on the power cable—one for my old hard drive, one for an LED controller, and one for the processor radiator pump. I thought I could just unplug the LED controller temporarily, but it turned out that the LED controller was also controlling the radiator fans. I planned to order a new 6-pin cable for my PSU later. After plugging everything back in, my computer won't power on anymore, not even the PSU fan. For troubleshooting, I've made sure all connections are secure. I jumped the power button pins, which didn't work, and I did the paperclip test, which turned on the PSU fan. However, nothing else powered up. I've tried different 6-pin spots on the PSU but still nothing. Any ideas?
4 Answers
Have you tried unplugging the SATA and SSD connections to see if the computer powers up without them? I haven’t heard of a hard drive causing this sort of issue, but it could help isolate the problem.
Make sure to look for a status light on the motherboard. Also, consider connecting a PC speaker to the motherboard pins to hear any error beeps. If fans and other components aren't working, there might be a fault with your PSU or motherboard. You can get a power supply tester for under $20 to check.
First, disconnect anything you’ve added lately, including the new drive. See if it boots without it. Sometimes peripherals can cause conflicts.
You mentioned ordering a new 6-pin cable for your PSU. Just double-check that you got the right one. Unplug and reconnect all cables, especially the 24-pin and CPU cables. One of them might not be seated properly.
I disconnected both SSDs but kept the LEDs and fans connected, and nothing happened. Still no power, not even from the PSU fan. I tried the paperclip method again, which turns the PSU fan on, but that's it.