My PC recently stopped working, and a repair shop confirmed that the power supply had failed. I replaced it with a new unit and installed all of the new cables. Now, when I try to start the computer for the first time after it has been shut down for a while, the PSU briefly flashes and the RGB lighting turns on, but the fans do not spin and the system does not boot. If I switch the PSU off, press the case power button to discharge it, turn the PSU back on, and press the power button again, the PC starts normally. I reseated the RAM and replaced my power strip, but neither helped. I am also considering replacing the CMOS battery and reseating the graphics card. What else should I check?
2 Answers
The case power button or its wiring could be the problem. Verify that the front-panel connector is attached to the correct motherboard pins. You can also briefly bridge the two power-switch pins with a screwdriver to test the system without using the case button. If it starts normally that way, the button or its cable may be faulty.
Try clearing the CMOS completely. Remove the CMOS battery, disconnect power, and let the system sit for roughly 15–20 minutes before reinstalling it and trying again. Testing the wall outlet directly could also help rule out a power issue.
It would also be useful to remove the side panel and check that all motherboard connections are seated correctly, including the CPU power connector.
What exactly do you mean by bridging the power-switch pins?