[SOLVED] VGA won't boot after trying to install a wi-fi adapter component.

[jagomez8]

I have a ~4 year old PC that I installed a TP-link Archer T4E wi-fi adapter. I was able to get the driver downloaded and it started and found the component and began its install.

20% into the install, my computer hard crashed and now no longer boots, failing at VGA.

Build:
MSI Z170A PC Mate (manual: https://download.msi.com/archive/mnu_exe/M7971v2.0_EURO.zip)
MSI GTX 970 Gaming 100ME
Corsair Vengeance Gen6 DDR4 3000 2x8GB
Intel Core i5-6600K (I'm not 100% on this. Can't confirm and don't want to remove the cpu cooler because I don't have any thermal paste on hand.)


I got it to boot once when removing both the wifi adapter and my GPU and plugging my monitor directly to the mobo display. After placing the GPU back in, it stopped booting. I took it back out to try to gather BIOS info but now, no matter what (video card, audio card, wifi being removed), I can not boot.

Before this, this computer has never run into any issues over the 4 years of rather heavy use.

I've read in the motherboard manual about resetting the BIOS manually with a jumper cap (I currently don't have any of these). Would resetting possibly clear this limbo that my VGA components are in? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

what do you mean by "VGA"?

VGA = Video Graphics Array.
an older type of display cable.

 

[jagomez8]

what do you mean by "VGA"?

VGA = Video Graphics Array.
an older type of display cable.

Sorry, that's what I thought heh. I was referring to the LED debugger on the motherboard. When booting up fails, the VGA LED indicator turns on and stays on until powered down.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

if it is a LED warning light pertaining to the GPU, than it means there is either a problem with the CPU's onboard graphics or the motherboard is having trouble communicating with the dedicated GPU.

i would first try resetting the BIOS.
doing a CMOS reset should accomplish this. the jumper would be with your motherboard accessories, usually in a small plastic bag or box. they are a very tiny rectangular plastic piece.

without the jumper you can perform a CMOS hard reset;
shutdown, switch PSU to "off", unplug power cable,
remove CMOS battery from motherboard,
wait ~5mins,
hold down case power button for ~30secs.
replace CMOS battery,
reconnect power and switch back to "on",
try booting up.

but there's a chance your power supply has malfunctioned. what make/model is it?

 

[jagomez8]

Thank you! I'll try CMOS hard reset. The PSU is a Corsair CX600M 600W.

After CMOS reset edit: It seems to be booting up fine now (at least there's no LED indicators going off). The GPU fans turn on briefly then turn off quickly after. I'm assuming this is related to the power supply, like you surmised. I'd much rather buy a replacement PSU than a GPU, so that's some good news haha.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

The GPU fans turn on briefly then turn off quickly after.

do they stay off permanently or come back on as the system warms up?

 

[jagomez8]

I don't think I was leaving the computer on long enough for them to turn on, actually. I went through all the PSU connections and redid them as well as taking out the RAM and replacing it and everything seems to be in working order once again!!

Thank you so much for all your help! I would have been lost without that CMOS reset method. Awesome name btw. Thanks again!