So, I recently tried cleaning my motherboard for the first time, using 70% isopropyl alcohol, but I made a big mistake by not disconnecting the power supply first. I was wearing an anti-static bracelet and thought I was being careful, but I forgot that the alcohol has 30% water in it! After letting it dry for about two days, I powered it back on, but now I'm getting a white DRAM light when I try to boot up. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do next?
5 Answers
Honestly, at this stage, you might just need to look for a new motherboard. It's a tough break, but it’s better to accept the worst and move on.
If you’re dealing with an AM5 board, it might just be those memory training issues, especially with the amber light. Just leave your computer powered on for a while longer and see if anything changes. Make sure all RAM sticks are seated properly before you stress too much about it!
Absolutely! The light codes can really help diagnose what's going on, so pay attention to those!
Thanks everyone! I’ll try your suggestions and see if I can get it working again before considering a new board.
You really should’ve used 99% isopropyl alcohol instead! It’s much safer for electronics since it leaves less moisture behind. If you did wait a few days for it to dry, try troubleshooting with each RAM stick individually. Unplug everything and plug it back in carefully, maybe check for any visible damage where you cleaned.
Good point! Sometimes memory can get stuck during boot, especially on DDR5 systems. Just be patient and check everything twice.
And definitely double-check the seating of your RAM. If it’s not clicked in right, that could also cause boot issues.
You might just need to leave it drying for a bit longer. Maybe put it in the sun or in front of a fan for several days. Just remember, using 70% alcohol when cleaning electronics isn't great because of the water content. You could have shorted the motherboard if moisture got trapped in a RAM slot or somewhere critical. Make sure to unplug it as long as there's any moisture left to avoid a fire hazard. Fingers crossed that it’s not completely toast!
Yeah, if there's actual water damage, you might be looking at needing a new motherboard soon. I’d recommend letting it dry out completely—connect nothing and hope for the best.
True. If it still doesn't boot after a good drying out, then it’s time to start thinking about replacements. It’s a painful lesson, but you'll definitely think twice before trying this again.
Yeah, patience is key with DDR5 systems! Don’t jump the gun on major fixes just yet.