Question Wrong Cable in System Fan Port

[ChrisK74]

Last week my wife said she was hearing a noise from her computer and it sounded like something caught in a fan. So, I powered down and pulled the GPU, because there are cables beneath which could interfere with the GPU fan. I tied the cables down and reinstalled the GPU. Then, received a "CPU error" on the mobo.

So, I removed the CPU. But, when I did, it was stuck to the cooler and pulled out of the socket without unlocking. Then, I found a couple of bent pins on the CPU and went out for a replacement. Reassembled and "CPU" error was still popping.

At this point I thought I tweeked the mobo and ordered a new one. The new CPU and Motherboard fixed all of the issues. So, now onto the real reason for my post:

When reassembling the first time, I plugged an errant cable (looked like part of the case fan daisy-chain) into a System Fan port. I didn't force the connection and it was definitely not the correct thing to do. However, before I powered everything back on, I did unplug this cable. So, could a random cable, plugged into a System Fan port cause a CPU error and the system not to boot?

Thank you for any advice.

 

[Ralston18]

Yes: any incorrect connections can and will cause problems. The full nature of the problems can vary from simple failure to boot up to sparks, smoke, and flames.

Are you able to take a couple photographs of the errant cable, its origin, and where it was plugged in?

If so, do so, and post the photographs here via imgur (www.imgur.com). Someone may spot something else astray.

Update your post to include full system hardware specs and OS information.

During the reassembly was the computer turned on or off when the errant cable was plugged in? If power was off, then I would not expect any damage especially because you did not force things.

If power was on then you need to take a very close look at what was actually connected.

My recommendation is to go online and find the applicable User Guide/Manual for the motherboard. You should likewise refer to the applicable User Guides/Manuals for all system components and the case.,

Refer to the User Manual(s) to 1) identify the errant cable, 2) identify which system fan port, and 3) ensure that all other cables are properly connected.

Key is to identify cables and ports. Then verify that the connections were/are connect.

 

[ChrisK74]

Yes: any incorrect connections can and will cause problems. The full nature of the problems can vary from simple failure to boot up to sparks, smoke, and flames.

Are you able to take a couple photographs of the errant cable, its origin, and where it was plugged in?

If so, do so, and post the photographs here via imgur (www.imgur.com). Someone may spot something else astray.

Update your post to include full system hardware specs and OS information.

During the reassembly was the computer turned on or off when the errant cable was plugged in? If power was off, then I would not expect any damage especially because you did not force things.

If power was on then you need to take a very close look at what was actually connected.

My recommendation is to go online and find the applicable User Guide/Manual for the motherboard. You should likewise refer to the applicable User Guides/Manuals for all system components and the case.,

Refer to the User Manual(s) to 1) identify the errant cable, 2) identify which system fan port, and 3) ensure that all other cables are properly connected.

Key is to identify cables and ports. Then verify that the connections were/are connect.

Yes, I've taken a few pics and will upload them here.

MoBo: MSI B550-A Pro

The System Fan Port in question:

The Errant Cable: