[SOLVED] PC won't post after re-installing Noctua NH-D15 cooler (metal clips touched the GPU?)

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viniciusrodsilva

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Dec 30, 2014
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Hello, how are you?

My PC was running fine and then I've noticed one of the two fans of the Noctua NH-D15 was not spinning. I've opened the case and just tried to figure out if the connector was not plugged well, but in the process, I think one of the clips just touched the back panel of my GPU (with no backplate) and the PC instantly lost the video signal.

Now everytime I turn on the PC all the coolers run fine but there's no video signal, no post screen. The GPU fans spin for some seconds and then stops, but the system keeps working.
Is there any chance I've damaged the GPU? 🙁

I'll try to reinstall all components when I came from work, but I'm pretty sure it is all plugged well (PSU connectors), cause it was running fine before.

I tried clearing the CMOS with no luck too.

Thank you very much!
 
Solution
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viniciusrodsilva said:
Yes, my fault :-/
But I don't know if it has something to do with that metal clip of the fan touching the GPU, cause I just handled the fan cable, the distance of each other is very close... Any chance of damage?

Anyway, I'll try to reinstall all the components later.
Click to expand...
You can try reinstalling the components but if you touched metal to the bare PCB of the GPU then most likely something is messed up. Best option is trying to get the GPU replaced through warranty if you have any left.
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viniciusrodsilva said:
Hello, how are you?

My PC was running fine and then I've noticed one of the two fans of the Noctua NH-D15 was not spinning. I've opened the case and just tried to figure out if the connector was not plugged well, but in the process, I think one of the clips just touched the back panel of my GPU (with no backplate) and the PC instantly lost the video signal.

Now everytime I turn on the PC all the coolers run fine but there's no video signal, no post screen. The GPU fans spin for some seconds and then stops, but the system keeps working.
Is there any chance I've damaged the GPU? 🙁

I'll try to reinstall all components when I came from work, but I'm pretty sure it is all plugged well (PSU connectors), cause it was running fine before.

I tried clearing the CMOS with no luck too.

Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Never touch ANYTHING inside a computer without it being turned off and unplugged with all power purged from PSU. Sounds like you shorted something out.
 
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bmockeg said:
Never touch ANYTHING inside a computer without it being turned off and unplugged with all power purged from PSU. Sounds like you shorted something out.
Click to expand...

Yes, my fault :-/
But I don't know if it has something to do with that metal clip of the fan touching the GPU, cause I just handled the fan cable, the distance of each other is very close... Any chance of damage?

Anyway, I'll try to reinstall all the components later.
 
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viniciusrodsilva said:
Yes, my fault :-/
But I don't know if it has something to do with that metal clip of the fan touching the GPU, cause I just handled the fan cable, the distance of each other is very close... Any chance of damage?

Anyway, I'll try to reinstall all the components later.
Click to expand...
You can try reinstalling the components but if you touched metal to the bare PCB of the GPU then most likely something is messed up. Best option is trying to get the GPU replaced through warranty if you have any left.
 
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Solution
bmockeg said:
You can try reinstalling the components but if you touched metal to the bare PCB of the GPU then most likely something is messed up. Best option is trying to get the GPU replaced through warranty if you have any left.
Click to expand...

I will try it with calm, but unfortunately it's this exact scenario, the metal touched the PCB, what a bad luck. I'll reply to this thread after the reinstall. Thank you!
 
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Great news!

I've reinstalled everything and didn't work. Then I tried to change the DVI cable to the another output and WORKED! Seems like it just damaged one of the GPU's output.

Working normally now. Well, lesson learned. ;-)
 
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UPDATE:

Today when I tried to power on the PC after using it normally last night, the problem returned. There was no video signal on boot.

But after trying turning off and on, unplugging and pluggin from wall a few times the video worked again. May the PSU be damaged too?
 
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viniciusrodsilva said:
I think the GPU died completely now, it doesn't display the video signal no matter how many times I try to unplug it and plug it.
Time to buy a new one, I'll try to buy a new PSU first too.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that. Always best to ask for advice beforehand so you avoid costly mistakes. Hope everything works out with your new installation.
 
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In3Dh5K.jpg


Hello,

I just need an advice for the next GPU installation. This image is the current setup. Look how close is the GPU from the cooler and its metal clips.

The new GPU has no backplate (I could only afford the cheaper one). Is there any way I can prevent this same problem in the future with the next GPU?
 
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viniciusrodsilva said:
In3Dh5K.jpg


Hello,

I just need an advice for the next GPU installation. This image is the current setup. Look how close is the GPU from the cooler and its metal clips.

The new GPU has no backplate (I could only afford the cheaper one). Is there any way I can prevent this same problem in the future with the next GPU?
Click to expand...
Everything is fine just as it is. Just ensure you take proper steps if you decide to go fooling around inside. Just a random “let me mess with this real quick” can turn into a very bad day if you don’t take proper precautions with electricity in mind. Only real option would be moving to an AIO water cooler in the future if it really bothers you. I like the cleaner look myself, those high end air coolers are HUGE, but to each their own. Positives and negatives with each.
 
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I've used a small piece of black cardboard (the black box that many smart phones come in is perfect), or abs plastic, cut to shape and use double sided sticky tape. Your situation is exactly why Noctua went back and redesigned the NH-D15, getting the NH-D15S, which has an offset towards the top of the case. More gpu clearance.
 
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Karadjgne said:
I've used a small piece of black cardboard (the black box that many smart phones come in is perfect), or abs plastic, cut to shape and use double sided sticky tape. Your situation is exactly why Noctua went back and redesigned the NH-D15, getting the NH-D15S, which has an offset towards the top of the case. More gpu clearance.
Click to expand...

Cool! I'll try to do it, thanks! Yes, this air cooler is huge, if I knew I'd have bought the smaller version at the time
 
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I just bought a new GPU and it's working perfectly now (turned off everything first this time :tearsofjoy:). Definitely the old GPU is dead.

One thing I did this time, that I read somewhere else, was inserting a paperboard of the same size of the GPU as a backplate. It worked perfectly!
 
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