I recently bought a new M.2 SSD and installed it, but now my computer refuses to boot. Even after I removed the SSD, the computer still wouldn't start. The motherboard has an error readout, but it's not lighting up at all. I'm a bit worried that my motherboard might have died during this process. My build is about 10 years old, so that could be it. I'm planning to borrow a spare motherboard soon to test things out. In the meantime, I'm looking for suggestions or advice on what might have gone wrong.
3 Answers
Maybe the boot settings in the BIOS changed when you installed the SSD? Try hitting F12 right after you turn it on to see if you can select the boot device.
Did you make sure to disconnect the power before installing the SSD? It’s always a good idea to avoid any electrical issues during installation.
Yes, I powered down the supply and disconnected everything to be safe before installing the SSD.
Are you sure you installed it in the right M.2 slot? Not all M.2 slots are used for storage; some are meant for wireless cards. Double-check your motherboard manual to make sure you didn’t accidentally use the wrong slot.
I checked, and it was the right type. The slot was horizontal with multiple anchor points for the mounting screw.
Unfortunately, it won’t even turn on at all, so I can't access the BIOS right now. I'm going to swap out some components later today to see if I can get it to power on.