Troubleshooting Kernel Error Leading to Non-Responsive PC: A Case Study
Building and maintaining a gaming or work PC can be an exciting experience, but it also comes with its share of challenges. Recently, a user encountered a serious issue after upgrading their system and reinstalling Windows, which culminated in a hard shutdown and the inability to power on the machine altogether. This article aims to analyze the situation, explore potential causes, and suggest troubleshooting steps to resolve such problems.
System Overview
The user’s PC configuration includes:
– Motherboard: ASUS TUF B650
– Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti
– Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
– Memory: 32GB Crucial DDR5 RAM
– Power Supply: EVGA 750W Gold Certified PSU
The system was recently upgraded from an Intel-based build to an AMD platform, involving installation of new motherboard, CPU, and cooling solutions. Windows was reinstalled, and the system performed well initially, even showing improved performance.
Incident Summary
The issue was triggered after the user reinstalled Razer Synapse software. Upon restarting the system post-installation, the PC displayed a “Kernel Error” message, and the screen remained black. The system appeared to be attempting to restart, but no display output was visible. The user power-cycled the PC multiple times; initially, the system exhibited some instability but eventually failed to turn on altogether.
Key points:
– The PC stops responding at startup with no visual output
– No motherboard indicators or power lights after the shutdown
– Troubleshooting included testing individual RAM modules and disconnecting SSDs, with no change
– A new PSU is on the way, but currently, the system does not power on at all
Initial Troubleshooting Steps Taken
- RAM Testing: Removed and tested each RAM stick individually to rule out memory issues.
- SSD Disconnection: Unplugged SSDs to eliminate boot drive or storage-related errors.
- Power Supply Verification: The existing PSU appears functional when tested, but a replacement unit has been ordered to confirm.
Potential Causes and Diagnoses
Given the symptoms and steps taken, several possibilities could explain the current state:
1. Power Supply Failure or Sudden Short:
While the PSU has been working, power supplies can fail unexpectedly. The absence of motherboard LED indicators suggests either a complete PSU failure or a
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