I mistakenly plugged a USB C cable into a USB A port on my motherboard without checking. The computer shut off immediately, and now when I try to turn it back on, it powers up briefly but then shuts down again, entering a state where it's powered but there's no video or POST. I've already tried reseating the RAM, removing the RAM entirely, disconnecting the GPU, and even taking out the CMOS battery. After removing the CMOS, the PSU powers on, clicks, flashes five times, and restarts. I can't believe I might have fried my motherboard just by plugging in the wrong USB. What should I do?
1 Answer
It sounds like you may have damaged the USB port and created a short circuit. Instead of reseating RAM and messing with the CMOS, focus on that physical USB port issue. You should disconnect the port if possible or find the short and carefully bend those pins back into place. Covering the port with tape is a good idea, too, to prevent future use. Don’t power it on again until you address the short to avoid further damage.
I was unsure too but it sounds like a good plan. Do you know if there's a way to disconnect it from the motherboard?