I'm in a bit of a bind after trying to build a gaming PC for my 13-year-old cousin. Things went downhill when he accidentally bent the pins on the motherboard while setting things up. After attempting to use the damaged motherboard, I noticed a red CPU light, but nothing else worked—just the fans and RAM lights. I ordered a new motherboard, but now when I try to power on the PC, it only stays on for a millisecond before the power supply clicks and shuts down, indicating a short somewhere. I've already tried booting the setup without the RAM and CPU cables, checked for bent pins, and reset the connections, but nothing seems to work. I'm reaching out for any advice from those more experienced in these matters!
2 Answers
It sounds like the bent pins are causing some serious issues. If the CPU is damaged, it might not be recoverable after the motherboard mishap. I recommend checking the CPU separately to see if it's still functioning. Sometimes a short can fry the CPU instantly when there’s a bent pin involved.
Have you thought about building the PC outside the case? Use a flat, non-conductive surface like a table and start with just the CPU and power cables connected. Skip the RAM, GPU, and fans for now, then try powering it on by shorting the pins on the front panel. This helps rule out any shorts caused by the case itself.
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