Did I fry my motherboard by plugging in my wireless adapter while the pc was on?

[Kijinyan]

As it says in the title.
And If I did, is there any way to tell if it was just the motherboard and not also everything attached to it?

 

[RealBeast]

That is certainly a possibility, you will have to test all the components to know what is damaged.

 

[Kijinyan]

How would I go about doing that?

 

[RealBeast]

You need another computer, or at least sufficient parts to test each if it will not work now. Otherwise, you would need to take it into a shop to have it checked out. You cannot do testing with only a damaged computer.

Does it post or do anything?

 

[Kijinyan]

It literally doesn't power on at all.
As I put the wireless adapter in, the pc just instantly shutdown btw.

 

[RealBeast]

There is a good chance that you shorted some of the contacts in the PCIe slot since they are so close together. You will need to have someone check it out to see if anything else was damaged if you don't have a spare similar machine.

 

[Kijinyan]

I'll bring it by one of the pc shops around here then.
But from the sound of it, if I shorted that out, I'd probably have to replace my motherboard entirely, no?

 

[RealBeast]

Yes, if it is damaged the motherboard needs replacement.

 

[Kijinyan]

I appreciate your assistance RealBeast.
I'll post back here later with an update.