I'm having a frustrating problem with my computer; it just won't turn on at all and I see no signs of life. This issue started after I replaced the CPU. The old one worked fine, but I just wanted an upgrade. Initially, the power button would flash, but now it's completely unresponsive. I've replaced pretty much everything – the motherboard, case, power supply (a hefty 1200W), RAM sticks, and CPU cooler. I even tried reinstalling the old CPU, but no luck. I've also reset the CMOS. I'm really at my wits' end here. Any suggestions?
4 Answers
Have you checked for any bent pins in the CPU socket? That could definitely cause a problem. Also, make sure you’ve reconnected the 12V power cable from the power supply to the CPU. Sometimes, that’s an easy thing to overlook.
Make sure the power supply toggle switch is on. Also, double-check all your connections, especially the wire from the power button. Sometimes it can be something simple like a loose cable!
What models are your CPU and motherboard? When you swapped the power supply, did you make sure to use all the cables that came with it, including the SATA power cables? Also, try unplugging everything from the front panel like the power and reset buttons. Is there any clicking noise from the power supply when you try to turn it on? It might also be shorting out against the case, so try booting it up outside the case with just the motherboard, CPU, PSU, and one stick of RAM to see if that helps.
You might need to flash your BIOS to be compatible with the new CPU. To do this, you’ll need to put the old one back in. If that doesn’t solve it, there could be a short or a power issue at play here.
That was actually my first thought, so I replaced the motherboard hoping it would help. I've reconnected everything properly, rebuilt the PC from scratch just to be sure.