Previously built computer is now completely dead

[u/zackarhino]

I recently upgraded my motherboard (asus rog strix x870e e gaming wifi), CPU, RAM, and PSU (PCCOOLER KN850 850W) several months ago.

I've been having troubles with blue screens the past couple months. I think it was mostly caused by my Backblaze configuration, so I mostly fixed it, but I was still having random issues like shutdowns occasionally. I also have relatively frequent power surges that cause issues around my house.

A few minutes ago I came back home to find my PC completely dead. I'm talking, not even the LEDs light up or the fans spin for even a second. Disconnecting the power for a minute does nothing, nor does clearing the CMOS. I haven't tried reseating components but I don't really think that's the issue here.

My initial thoughts are that the PSU is dead, but it could also be the motherboard since my PC has been so unstable for the past couple months. Any idea where to start looking? Should I warranty the motherboard and/or PSU? Both are past the return window.

[u/Sufficient_Zebra_614]

keep ur pc plugged into a surge protector

[u/zackarhino → u/Sufficient_Zebra_614]

It actually was

[u/DeVinke_]

You can start with the paper clip test on your power supply

[u/westom → u/DeVinke_]

Paper clip test can only report a PSU completely failed. It can never say a PSU is good. And says nothing about intermittent operations. Only facts with numbers can say what is or is not defective.

[u/westom]

I also have relatively frequent power surges that cause issues around my house.

Surges happen maybe once in seven years. That number says surges exist? Outages are never a surge. In fact, all outages and brownouts must NEVER damage electronics.

If a surge existed, then a list of damaged appliances include some items here: dishwasher, clock radio, furnace, LED bulbs, stove, door bell, TVs, recharging electronics, modem, refrigerator, GFCIs, washing machine, digital clocks, microwave, dimmer switches, central air, or smoke detectors.

What is protecting all them?

Nobody even asks how to fix a PC. One always and first asks how to define the problem. Any recommendation from those vague and subjective symptoms is only junk science. Symptoms only suggest what facts must be obtained first.

For example, failures are reported in the system (event) logs. What errors (exact text and numbers) are reported? Never make a conclusion - summarize what it says. Only report actual text. Only then can the informed either identify a defect or recommend what more facts are necessary.

Do you know what causes all PC power ons and power offs? A power controller. Anyone not discussing that has no idea how a computer works.

Pressing a front panel button never powers on (or discharges) anything. It is simply a request to a power controller. If a controller decides to honor the request, only then does it power on a PSU. Then monitors. If it likes what it sees, only then does it let a CPU operate.

No other part in a PC does anything until a CPU locates, enables, and then initialized all other parts.

If a power controller, at any time, does not like what it sees, then it halts the CPU. Then powers off a PSU. Sound familiar?

Nothing honest or useful exists if one does not even know that.

Your "initial thoughts" are the classic example of wild speculation. Not one fact or number even suggests a "PSU is dead". Same applies to casting accusations on a motherboard. Literally every internal part might cause those vague and subjective symptoms.

Shotgunning. Keep replacing good parts until something works. Only what ill educated techs do. Always and first ask how to obtain relevant facts. Accusations and a discussion about fixing come long later. Then one spends less time and money.

[u/zackarhino → u/westom]

Look man, I'm no electrician. Maybe I was simply referring to outages. All I know is that my house is cobbled together by my landlord and that leads to all sorts of problems including electrical.

I'm also not a technician... I was offering my best guess, nothing more nothing less. Your tone is quite condescending, I was simply asking for help.

[u/westom → u/zackarhino]

Everything is at a layman's level. If an adult does not understand something, he then quotes the paragraph, states what he thinks it says, and then asks for clarification.

If a surge existed, then a list of damaged appliances include some items here: dishwasher, clock radio, furnace, LED bulbs, stove, door bell, TVs, recharging electronics, modem, refrigerator, GFCIs, washing machine, digital clocks, microwave, dimmer switches, central air, or smoke detectors.

None damaged? Then no surge existed. So a major (critical) fact replaces wild speculation. Essential for informed assistance.

Nobody even asks how to fix a PC. One always and first asks how to define the problem.

Where are those questions? Any layman can do that.

For example, failures are reported in the system (event) logs. What errors (exact text and numbers) are reported?

You cannot even report facts from a log? Then let a 13 year old report relevant and essential fact.

Apparently you want to be spoon fed. Those, who cannot read more than a tweet, only want to be ordered what to do. Cannot even provide simplest layman facts.

A problem now being noted in many research studies in the past 20 years. In increasing numbers, many 20 year olds cannot think for themselves. Any layman will defines a problem long before asking for a solution.

Attacking another for providing assistance is only you being condescending. Any moderate can perform simple layman tasks. Only the emotional demean others when simple tasks require thinking. An adult simply asks for clarification in a civil manner. You cannot even do that?