Troubleshooting a Peculiar PC Boot Issue: When Heat is the Answer

If you’ve ever encountered a perplexing computer issue, you’ll be able to relate to my current predicament. My PC, a reliable setup consisting of a Ryzen 5 2400G CPU, an Asus PRIME B350M-A motherboard, and 16GB of HyperX FURY RAM, has developed a strange quirk: it refuses to start up until I employ the age-old technique of using a hair dryer.

The Setup

Hardware Specifications:
– CPU: Ryzen 5 2400G
– Motherboard: Asus PRIME B350M-A (with the latest BIOS)
– RAM: 2x HyperX FURY 8GB, 2400MHz
– Power Supply Unit: Thermaltake 600W 80 Plus White Smart Series

Most of the components are fairly new, only about 1.5 to 2 years old, and I’ve never overclocked or made any voltage modifications.

The Problem

The issue arises when I shut down my computer for the night. Upon trying to power it back up the next day, it simply refuses to turn on unless I gently warm up the case using the hair dryer (while being careful not to focus directly on the power supply). After applying heat for a few minutes, the system miraculously powers on, and then runs smoothly for hours, or even days.

I’ve attempted various troubleshooting steps: reassembling the components, testing with a single memory stick, and starting the system with minimal peripherals connected. I’ve subjected the CPU to a demanding Prime95 test for around 9 hours with temperatures reaching about 89°C, and both MemTest86 and OCCT CPU tests indicated no errors.

Environmental Factors

I live in a tropical area where temperatures consistently range between 24°C and 32°C, and humidity is high year-round. While I don’t have access to spare parts like another power supply or motherboard for testing, I genuinely suspect there may be a faulty connection somewhere on the motherboard.

Recent Updates

After another round of turning my computer off yesterday, it once again failed to turn on today without some external warmth. This time, I carefully targeted the hair dryer at the front and top of the case, avoiding the power supply altogether. Within approximately 4 to 5 minutes, the system booted up successfully, reinforcing my suspicion of a bad connection somewhere within