[SOLVED] Power and RAM LEDs blinking after new processor installation

[justicetlittle]

Okay, so I just got a brand new processor (i5-8600k) and I had plans to add it to my current build after taking out my i5-8400. The parts that are currently within and will stay are as follows:

MB: MSI Z370-A Pro
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 (single 8GB)
GPU: MSI Nvidia GeForce 1050Ti 4GB

Apologies for any misunderstandings in this post. I made this account just to ask for help with this.

PS: I put in the old processor, and not even that works. I was thinking updating my BIOs would do something so I gave it a shot — but now both processors are showing this problem.
I also have taken out and put back in the CMOS battery.

 

[Supahos]

Did you bend any pins on the motherboard? During the swap? That or thermal paste in the socket are the two most likely issues

 

[justicetlittle]

That might possibly be the thing — at least, the thermal paste residue I mean. Any possible chance there’s a solution to cleaning that out?

 

[Supahos]

Qtip and 90% isopropyl alcohol and pray you don't bend pins.

If it made it to the bottom of the socket usually need something like a slightly dulled toothpick and surgeon like touch

 

[justicetlittle]

I took another quick scan at it.. I believe the pins might be bent. Yet I remember being delicate and slow with the process. That’s a painful thing to realize.

 

[Supahos]

It's not easy to do (swap CPUs and not bend something) especially the first couple of times) sometimes they can be straightened out. And since this is your error in the first place likely not covered by warranty you don't have much to lose by trying.

Credit cards make okay pin straighteners. Razor blades are better but a lot more risky.

 

[justicetlittle]

I see. At least this isn’t a 100% I’m-f’d-in-the-a type scenario. I just have to be delicate with it. Alright. I’ll give that a shot perhaps and update you if I do.

 

[Supahos]

I don't think you have anything to lose start with softer tools to try and straighten them out, work your way up to harder ones

 

[justicetlittle]

So I gave that a try, I’m certain there are still a few pins I missed, but, ahead of time, if neither of those are the problem, what could be?

 

[Supahos]

If your old one no longer works you've either doinked the board or both CPUs.

Kind of no middle ground. I guess you could have knocked a power cable loose somewhere while swapping the CPU and could check that

 

[justicetlittle]

Hmm... I’ll check the power cords but I don’t think that’s necessarily the problem. Just if finishing up with the bent pins doesn’t work.

 

[Supahos]

The pins must be perfect. The cpu socket is not an area where things are 'good enough' if you can see it's off by eye it likely won't work

 

[justicetlittle]

Right, I would figure so. There’s just this one corner being awkward so I’m giving it all my attention at the moment.

 

[Supahos]

I have successfully used a mechanical pencil with a metal end on it to go over a pin and bend it back I used to remember what size lead it took but I lost the thing 6-7 years ago and have forgotten. was an old engineering pencil I had from college

 

[justicetlittle]

When I finally fixed all the pins, I double-checked then I triple-checked so I was 100% POSITIVE I had it fixed. Even took a magnifying glass to it, and found no more errors. I place everything down, and it seems okay. Except not. Not only did it start smoking, some of the pins melted and it left a small burn on my brand new processor. Looks like it’s time to get this thermal paste off the processor (if you know how, could you instruct me? unless it’s the same way as it would be for cleaning out the socket) and return it to Newegg if possible. I seriously don’t want to have just wasted $250.

 

[Supahos]

Most likely something shorted previously either in the CPU or board when your tried to boot it with the bent pins, when you fixed the pins the damage had already been done and melted something when all the right connections were there enough to try and boot