Troubleshooting a Non-Starting PC: No Overclocking or Error Codes, but Heating with a Hair Dryer Gets It Running

The Mystery of My PC’s Hair Dryer Booting Technique: Troubleshooting Tips

If you’re anything like me, you rely on your PC for everything from work to relaxation. So, when it suddenly refuses to turn on, it can be incredibly frustrating. Recently, I encountered a puzzling situation with my computer that required a rather unconventional solution: using a hair dryer to get it up and running. Here’s a closer look at the hardware involved and some insights into what might be causing this strange behavior.

Hardware Specifications:

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2400G
  • Motherboard: Asus PRIME B350M-A (with the latest BIOS updates)
  • RAM: 16GB (2x HyperX FURY 8GB 2400MHz)
  • Power Supply Unit (PSU): Thermaltake 600W 80 Plus White Smart Series

All components are approximately 1.5 to 2 years old, and I’ve kept everything at stock settings—no overclocking or unusual voltage changes. However, I’ve recently faced an unusual challenge that compelled me to investigate further.

The Issue

The peculiar situation arises when I turn off my PC for the night. The next day, it refuses to power on until I resort to applying heat with a hair dryer. Once I do this, the system works perfectly for hours or even days without a hitch. I’ve attempted various troubleshooting measures, including reseating components, testing with a single memory stick, and minimizing peripheral connections.

Diagnostic Tests

To further isolate the issue, I ran a series of diagnostic tests:

  • Prime95: I stress-tested the CPU for around 9 hours, achieving a maximum temperature of 89°C. No errors were reported during this test.
  • MemTest86: This test also yielded no errors, indicating that the RAM is functioning correctly.
  • OCCT CPU Test: Again, no issues surfaced.

Environmental Factors

Living in a tropical climate poses some unique challenges, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 32 degrees Celsius and high humidity year-round. These factors may play a role in overheating or connection issues within the components.

Lack of Spare Parts

Unfortunately, I do not have access to spare hardware, such as a PSU or motherboard, which would make diagnosing the root cause much easier.

Latest Updates

Just yesterday, I turned off my PC, and as expected, it

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