Troubleshooting a PC Startup Issue After Motherboard Scratching

Hello, fellow tech enthusiasts!

I recently encountered a frustrating situation with my computer that I believe could serve as a cautionary tale for others. After deciding to perform a routine cleaning of my setup using compressed air, I inadvertently caused some damage to my motherboard (mobo) and my PC now refuses to start up.

During the cleaning process, a bit of moisture from the compressed air made its way onto the motherboard, but I assumed it dissipated without issue. However, complications arose when I attempted to detach my graphics card (GPU). The size of my CPU cooler made this task more difficult, leading me to utilize a screwdriver to unlock the latch on the PCIe slot. In a moment of carelessness, I accidentally scratched the motherboard in the process—something I realized later could’ve affected the critical traces on the board.

Since the incident, my PC has been in a restart loop, displaying nothing but a black screen, and I am unable to even access the BIOS. I previously resolved a similar issue by re-seating my RAM, but this time the problem seems more complicated.

Was my motherboard destroyed?

Observations and Troubleshooting Attempts

• Motherboard Model: Aorus Elite Z390
• CPU: Intel Core i7 9700K
• Current Status: The motherboard’s status LED is glowing red.

After thoroughly checking the connections and components, including unseating the GPU, SSD, sound card, and reseating the RAM (while trying different slots), I reset the CMOS. I encountered difficulties reaching the CPU pins due to the NH-D15 cooler, so this step remains incomplete. I’ve also read online that it’s possible to create a short circuit between traces, which could have occurred despite their visual integrity.

Since I lack the tools and expertise to solder, I am considering purchasing a replacement motherboard and thermal paste. My plan includes attempting to reseat all components on the old motherboard first before moving everything to the new one. Additionally, I’m contemplating booting the system with just the power supply and motherboard connected to see if that yields any results.

The Resolution

Update: I discovered that my motherboard was likely defective. After purchasing the exact same model and replacing the old one, everything is functioning smoothly again. Rebuilding from scratch with the damaged motherboard felt overwhelming, and I