Ways to troubleshoot a non-starter?

Hardware Hub Motherboards
1

Hi,

I have a micro atx ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-G GAMING WIFI that I think I killed.
If it happened, it happened when the system was OFF (no overclocking/push etc) but I dont think I had removed the power lead.

I was stupid and inpatient and I removed a GPU from the box without making room for the cover to open fully etc… so I yanked the GPU a bit (I know… its my fault). So I assume I shorted something.

There is no visible damage at all (and the GPU works perfectly).

What I have done till now:

  1. Googling I think I found that this MB has a “standby” LED. So in my case no LED lights up.
  2. I have removed the 24pin and the CPU power and I jump started the PSU. Seemed OK. AIO also got power etc.
  3. I did try the CMOS reset too.

How would you go about testing other things?
While I have started building PCs 30 years ago, I have a long gap lately working with PCs so Im not sure what people do now. Any RTFM welcome.

Are there any schematics that people find? Are there common test points in order to eliminate other things?

I have a ‘good’ multimeter, LC meter and some other test tools, but I have only played around with more ‘stupid/simpler’ electronics.

Thanks

1 Like
2

First thing to look for is if the 5vsb is actually coming through on the board, which should come from the power supply even while off.

WHile the pc is off only the 5vsb should be powered so that is the only thing that can be shorted, sad thing is that that is used to actually react to the power button. You can check the 24pin to at least see if the power supply is giving 5vsb.

2 Likes
3

I will be following this thread - since I am in a very similar situation! Same history with PCs and same problem - I think I bricked a mobo, but… it’s complicated. I am writing a post about my problem, which I hope to post in the next day or two.

When you power on your motherboard, do those little Q-LEDs in the upper right corner show anything at all? I am working with a much older board, which also does not have a nice two-digit LED readout that shows you what is going on during boot (like my Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master). My LGA775 board has a row of LEDs which, together, indicate how much power is being drawn by the board (“V_PHASE LED”). These light up for about 1 second, all the fans (including GPU) spin for about 1/2 second, then nothing… for 5 seconds until it repeats this cycle, ad infinitum. My board does not even have lights for “CPU”, “RAM”, etc… so I have little info on what is happening.

4

When you push the power button does the cpu fan spin?
If not than the motherboard is likely dud.

5

So I tested the 24Pin and I do get 5.1V (unplugged). How can I test if it goes through the board? are there any test points?

On the board side the 5Vsb has 480 Ohm to ground, its not a dead short if that helps.

EDIT: With the 24pin connected and PSU powered. 5VSB measures 5.1V and PS-ON also measures 5.1V. Jumpstarting the power button pins on the board 5V doesnt react (on I havent used a scope, but on an 87v is didnt see something).

1 Like