Troubleshooting a Computer Startup Issue: When Cleaning Turns Complicated

Have you ever found yourself in a predicament while cleaning your PC? I recently faced a frustrating situation that began innocently enough. I decided to open up my computer for a much-needed cleaning session, armed with a can of compressed air. Unfortunately, during the process, I accidentally introduced some fluid onto the motherboard (mobo). Although the liquid evaporated quickly, it was just the beginning of my troubles.

As I attempted to detach the GPU, I realized the CPU cooler was quite large, making the task more difficult than anticipated. In an effort to unseal the PCIe latch, I unwittingly scratched the surface of the motherboard. Concerned that I may have damaged critical traces beneath the surface, I pressed on, hoping for the best. However, my diagnosis proved to be far from hopeful when the computer refused to start, not even reaching the BIOS.

In the past, a similar situation had been rectified by reseating RAM, but this time, I doubted that would resolve the issue. Here’s a snapshot of the scratch incident: Visible Damage. I can’t help but wonder, did I inadvertently destroy my motherboard?

Seeking Expert Advice

To provide some clarity, here are the key components I’m working with:

• Motherboard: Aorus Elite Z390
• CPU: Intel 9700K
• Symptoms: The motherboard status LED lights up red, as seen on page 21 of the manual.

In my attempts to troubleshoot, I reset the CMOS, unseated and reseated the GPU, SSD, soundcard, and RAM in different slots. I took every precaution to check all connections, but couldn’t reach the CPU pins due to the massive NH-D15 cooler. As I prepared to consider the worst-case scenario – potential damage to the motherboard’s traces – I knew I needed a different approach.

Despite my limitations in soldering and repair, I decided it was time to reach out for help. Many suggested that short circuits between traces could have been a contributing factor, adding to my stress.

Final Thoughts and Resolution

After a long day of diagnostics, I resolved to purchase a new thermal paste and a replacement motherboard. My plan was to reseat all components on