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Help! My MSI Tomahawk Motherboard Just Died Out of Nowhere

June 7, 2025 5 answers
Asked by TechieTraveler92
I've been using my MSI Tomahawk Z170A motherboard since 2016 without issues. Last night, while I was online, I heard some strange clicking noises and noticed the overhead light flicker. Shortly after, my computer just blinked out – no fan noise, no lights, nothing! I tried swapping in a new EVGA power supply from a Win11 build I haven't set up yet, but still got no response. I even bridged the power pins on the motherboard, hoping to get it to turn on, but that resulted in nothing more than a few clicks from the power supply. I haven't changed hardware or moved the PC, and I'm not sure what else to check or try. Any advice on troubleshooting would be greatly appreciated!
computer troubleshooting Hardware hardware problems motherboard failure MSI Tomahawk power supply issues tech support

Answers

ResourcefulRaven
Don’t forget to check that power switch connection too! Sometimes that little connector can get loose or damaged, which would prevent everything from firing up. If you've done all these checks, and it still doesn’t work, it might just be time to upgrade to that Win11 build and transfer your data.
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OldSchoolCoder
It could also be a motherboard failure. If the PSU is clicking but not powering up anything else, that’s usually a sign that it’s not getting a proper signal to turn on. Have you tried reseating the RAM? It’s an easy fix and might help if there’s a connection issue. Don’t forget to check all those dusty connections.
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SkepticalTechie
Those random clicks could indicate a bad capacitor on the motherboard or something similar. It might be worth inspecting the board for any visible damage. Also, did you try the good old 'reset the CMOS' method? Sometimes just resetting the BIOS can help bring a failing board back to life temporarily.
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MysteryModification
Dude, I feel your pain. I had a similar issue once. Consider blowing out the dust inside—dust can sometimes cause short circuits. If the PSU and RAM don’t seem to be the culprits, the motherboard might just be dead. It’s a shame because that MSI board was decent! If you decide to replace it, make sure to take note of your BIOS settings just in case.
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GamerGeek88
Sorry to hear about your troubles! It sounds like your power supply might be failing if you're not getting anything after the clicks. Since you've tried swapping in the new PSU without success, you might want to check the power cables too. Sometimes, even if they fit, the old cables might not work properly with your new PSU. If you have another PSU available, that would be worth a try just to eliminate power issues completely.
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