Question Troubleshooting a dead PC ?

[Mr.CJ]

I bought a computer second hand and it was sent to me by post, and yes, that was probably a bad idea, no need to comment that 😂 sender did not unmount any components, it was sent as is, in one piece.

It seemed to be OK packing and I cannot see any visible damages. When I plug it in, there is no reactions. No LED on motherboard, gpu or anywhere else. I get the feeling it might be the psu, but would not expect the psu to be the component to go. I am also sceptical that the sender had some bubble wrap inside the computer, for reasons unknown. The build is:

Ryzen 7600
Msi 650 gaming wifi
16gb ram
Rx 7600
550w psu
Phantex g360 case

I have an extra psu, is it safe to connect it for testing, or do I risk it being damaged? Can I, as an example, connect it only to the gpu and see if the led lights up?
Also, for some reason, the room does not have grounded outlets, is it possible that the psu won't start because ground is missing?

Any and all tips greatly appreciated
Best regards,
CJ

 

[Aeacus]

550w psu

PSU make and model (or part number) is?

Also, for some reason, the room does not have grounded outlets, is it possible that the psu won't start because ground is missing?

PSU doesn't need ground for it to operate. But it would be safer with ground.

I have an extra psu, is it safe to connect it for testing, or can I risk it being damaged?

2nd PSU make and model (or part number) is?

Also, as long as you switch out the power cables and don't reuse them, there wouldn't be an issue.

Can I, as an example, connect it only to the gpu and see if the led lights up?

Well, you can but GPU LEDs lighting up doesn't tell that GPU works at all.

It's like you turning on the car's ignition and once you see lights light up, but without ever cranking the engine and turning the engine on - you instantly assume the car drives fine.

but would not expect the psu to be the component to go

Depends on what PSU it is. Hence why i asked my initial question.

Also, do you think that PSU is invulnerable? Never dying? Lasting til the end of time + then some?

 

[Mr.CJ]

PSU make and model (or part number) is?

Cooler Master MWE Gold 550 V2 PSU​

PSU doesn't need ground for it to operate. But it would be safer with ground.

Thank you very much for confirming, Then I can eliminate that possibility

2nd PSU make and model (or part number) is?

Corsair RM850x V3 850W

Also, as long as you switch out the power cables and don't reuse them, there wouldn't be an issue.

All cables are new and included with the corsair PSU. Is there a real possibility of power cable damage caused by transportation/ESD?

Well, you can but GPU LEDs lighting up doesn't tell that GPU works at all.

It's like you turning on the car's ignition and once you see lights light up, but without ever cranking the engine and turning the engine on - you instantly assume the car drives fine.

This step was just to confirm if the existing PSU was dead, by the logic if the corsair PSU distributes power when connected, the mounted PSU is not distributing power

Depends on what PSU it is. Hence why i asked my initial question.

Also, do you think that PSU is invulnerable? Never dying? Lasting til the end of time + then some?

Nope, assumption here only being that the build is only 6 months old and PSU seems to be better protected against static discharges and shock as it is in one solid casing and thus I'd assume parts like the MB, cooling fan, GPU being more susceptible. Got a Cooler Master 750w from 2014 still going strong in an older build 🥳 This is the first time I've received a complete computer in the mail and I've never been troubleshooting that before. That is why I am curious about static discharge as there were buble wrap inside, and potential shock damages. As mentioned earlier the case and the inside bears no obvious marks of any damage. I'll post a picture of the bubblewrap inside as well

Thank you very much for all the inputs so far

 

[Mr.CJ]

https://imgur.com/a/wVWKtuU

View: https://imgur.com/a/wVWKtuU

 

[SkyNetRising]

When I plug it in, there is no reactions. No LED on motherboard, gpu or anywhere else. I get the feeling it might be the psu, but would not expect the psu to be the component to go.

Did you check switch on PSU ?
Did you check if power on switch to motherboard is connected properly?
Did you try shorting power on switch?
Does PSU turn on if you remove it from pc and connect green and black wires?

 

[Aeacus]

Cooler Master MWE Gold 550 V2 PSU

That's mediocre quality unit. More like low quality. I'd advise against using it.

And it being dead - is quite a possibility. Though, when PSU goes "pop", there is a chance it killing everything it is connected to (aka the whole PC). And the lower the PSU's build quality - the higher the chance it can happen (both PSU dying and killing components).

Corsair RM850x V3 850W

Good quality PSU.
I suggest you use this one instead.

Is there a real possibility of power cable damage caused by transportation/ESD?

No.

This step was just to confirm if the existing PSU was dead, by the logic if the corsair PSU distributes power when connected, the mounted PSU is not distributing power

Distributing power isn't the PSU's only job. There are far more tasks PSU must do.

Though, to be exact, it's the MoBo's job to distribute power it gets from 24-pin ATX and 4/8-pin EPS. To CPU socket, to PCI-E sockets and to other parts of the MoBo, to make all of it working.

only being that the build is only 6 months old and PSU seems to be better protected against static discharges and shock as it is in one solid casing and thus I'd assume parts like the MB, cooling fan, GPU being more susceptible.

Well, it depends on which part the ESD came in. But PSU's build quality just isn't there. So, PSU being toast is quite likely. And not by ESD or shock, but probably due to it's own accord (namely cheap construction and using inferior components inside).

Not all PSUs are created equal.

Here, two PSUs. Both are 650W and 80+ Gold,
pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/RzfFf7,rbyH99/

Can you tell me, why Seasonic unit costs essentially double of the Apevia unit?
Also, which of the two you'd use? And why?

 

[Gururu]

Pull the gpu and use the integrated graphics before troubleshooting and reseat RAM

 

[Aeacus]

Pull the gpu and use the integrated graphics before troubleshooting and reseat RAM

Did you not read what OP wrote?

The build is completely dead. 0 signs of life.

Until that is resolved, no need to get ahead of yourself.

 

[Gururu]

Did you not read what OP wrote?

The build is completely dead. 0 signs of life.

Until that is resolved, no need to get ahead of yourself.

My recommendations do not interfere with trying a new PSU. They simply eliminate any factors that may complicate further troubleshooting.

 

[geofelt]

First, double check that all connections are secure.
In case the front panel power lead is loose try shorting the motherboard front panel pwr pins.

Bubble wrap was likely included to keep the cooler from moving and damaging the motherboard..
Since you have an alternate psu that is better, I would install it.
While an ungrounded outlet works for most, it is not safe.
The ground is needed to get a sound reference point.
Grounding is critical to proper power supply operation. The ground connection establishes a known reference potential that becomes a baseline for all other measurements. It is important that grounds in a system are low impedance, and are connected in such a way that if currents flow through ground conductors they do not create voltage level changes from one part of the system to another.