[SOLVED] Breadboard turns on with screwdriver, cannot turn on with case

[sketchyguy]

I've been having trouble just getting my PC to turn on, so I stripped everything out and built a breadboard with the PSU, motherboard, CPU&HSF, and RAM. I'm able to power this on with a screwdriver on the power pins on the motherboard, so these parts work. I tried powering on the board by connecting the my case to the pins and pressing the power button on the case, but this does not work.
Normally, I would assume that my case wasn't working, but actually earlier today, my case WAS working. I had powered on my build like normal (through the case) and I got to my login screen. However, my fan was abnormally loud so I fiddled with it. This led to me being unable to power up my computer up at all, leading me to build the breadboard. Now the breadboard works, but I can't turn it on with the case. I've made sure the case is plugged into the correct pins, and that the power supply is on when I try.
Any ideas for what I could be missing to have my case turn on the build, or any ways to test if the case is malfunctioning?

Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Pro4
PSU: Corsair CX 650M
Case: Cougar MX331 Mesh

I was using an aftermarket fan but after building the breadboard, I've switched to a stock one, and that powers on fine.

 

[DSzymborski]

Does it turn on with the screwdriver while it's in the case?

 

[sketchyguy]

Does it turn on with the screwdriver while it's in the case?

I have not tried that yet. When I try to turn it on with the case, I don't actually have the motherboard in the case, the wires are just coming out from the case and attaching to the breadboard.

 

[sketchyguy]

I've just tried moving the motherboard and PSU into the case. I am able to start it up with the screwdriver but still unable to do so with the case.

 

[geofelt]

Likely, the front panel PWR switch or the cable is defective.
Try using the reset cable to power on instead.
Your case maker customer support should be able to send you a free replacement.

 

[DSzymborski]

I've just tried moving the motherboard and PSU into the case. I am able to start it up with the screwdriver but still unable to do so with the case.

Good, that eliminates some possible issues.

The reason I asked if the motherboard was physically in the case is that with the motherboard in the case, I wanted to make sure if it was a problem with the physical process of telling the motherboard to start, most likely an issue with the power button, or something related to the case. If, for example, the motherboard was installed in the case and then shorting the pins didn't work, then it could have been something like a standoff issue causing a short.

Geofelt's idea is the next thing to try.

 

[sketchyguy]

Likely, the front panel PWR switch or the cable is defective.
Try using the reset cable to power on instead.
Your case maker customer support should be able to send you a free replacement.

Oh, using the reset switch does work! So it looks like it is the PWR cable or switch that is defective. Kinda disappointing, the case was just working earlier yesterday, but this does help a ton. Thanks a ton to you and Dsymborski!

 

[DSzymborski]

Oh, using the reset switch does work! So it looks like it is the PWR cable or switch that is defective. Kinda disappointing, the case was just working earlier yesterday, but this does help a ton. Thanks a ton to you and Dsymborski!

It's kind of a pain, but think of it this way: a motherboard would be a much more expensive issue to remedy!

And in a way, it's even an opportunity to get creative.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=214&v=4a0UpwBjRUs&feature=emb_logo


You could put in all sorts of buttons, from giant game show buttons to an 80s Cold War movie missile button.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11310

Or, you could just use the reset switch! Trust me, as problems go, it's better to have it be this than something more expensive and difficult to compensate for!

 

[sketchyguy]

It's kind of a pain, but think of it this way: a motherboard would be a much more expensive issue to remedy!

And in a way, it's even an opportunity to get creative.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=214&v=4a0UpwBjRUs&feature=emb_logo


You could put in all sorts of buttons, from giant game show buttons to an 80s Cold War movie missile button.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11310

Or, you could just use the reset switch! Trust me, as problems go, it's better to have it be this than something more expensive and difficult to compensate for!

Yeah, I'm glad this was such an easy fix. That video looks interesting, maybe I'll give some ideas a try!