I recently upgraded my old gaming PC to a Linux machine, and I was super excited to get it running. After setting everything up, I decided to clean the area with a cordless vacuum. Shortly after, I heard some terrible screeching noises from my TV, which was connected to the PC. I panicked and turned off the power, but now my computer won't boot properly. It starts to power on, fans spinning, but it gets caught in a loop trying to restart. I think this might be due to static electricity from the vacuum, but I'm really unsure what else could have caused this. I'm planning to replace my PSU with a new one tomorrow and check the RAM, but has anyone else experienced something like this? Is there a chance it could be something other than the vacuum?
5 Answers
It sounds like you might have a bad RAM stick. I dealt with something similar a while back—started with loud screeching sounds, too. Try booting with just one stick of RAM at a time to see if that helps!
This is quite the wild story! I can't say a vacuum would directly kill your PC, but it might alter a connection or generate some static. Take it all one step at a time when troubleshooting, and don't forget to check all your cables! Good luck!
I've had a similar experience where reseating the RAM did the trick for me! Sometimes just taking the RAM out and putting it back in can solve boot issues. Definitely worth a shot!
I tried reseating the RAM, but it didn't work. I'm going to buy some new RAM soon and give it another shot!
Try unplugging your PC, hold down the power button for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and power it up. It might help reset any weird issues.
Is that some sort of reset procedure? I'll definitely give it a try!
Honestly, the vacuum likely didn’t damage your PC. It’s more likely a RAM or motherboard issue. It might be a good idea to test everything one component at a time. Just take it slow, and you’ll figure it out!
Thanks for the support! Just waiting for the new RAM to arrive so I can troubleshoot more effectively.
When I tried just the RAM in slot 3, it did power on for a bit longer, but still no signal to my monitor. Thanks for the suggestion, though!