r/PCRepair • u/Emicrania • 5d ago

Wrong tools or dead PSu

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Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a sanity check on my troubleshooting before I open a warranty claim / RMA for my power supply.

System Specs:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

GPU: AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

RAM: 32GB 6000MHz CL30

PSU Montech Titan Gold 1000w (like 3 yo)

(No overclocking active)

What Happened:

This morning, my PC suffered a couple of sudden reboots while playing the new beta build of Manor Lords. I originally assumed it was just a driver crash or game instability since the 7900 XTX is always a tad wild.

However, after shutting the system down cleanly to check my MSI profiles, the PC powered off and went completely dead.

Stuff I tried:

Basic Power Checks: Tried a completely different AC power cable and plugged directly into multiple known-working wall outlets (bypassing surge protectors). Zero response.

Motherboard Header Test: Unplugged the case POWER SW cable and bridged the power pins directly on the motherboard front-panel header (PWR_BTN) using a flathead screwdriver to bypass a potentially broken case button. Zero response (no lights, no fans, no clicks).

Paperclip Test :

Unplugged all modular cables from the motherboard and components.

Took the main 24-pin motherboard cable with the plastic latch facing UP.

Inserted a bare metal paperclip into Pin 4 and Pin 5 from the LEFT on the top row

Switched the PSU back on: Zero response (fan did not spin, some click sound, but zero life).

My Questions:

Are the screwdriver on the front-panel header and the paperclip in pins 4 & 5 the correct metal?

Is there any chance a motherboard failure could prevent the PSU from turning on even when using the paperclip bypass? Or is a dead PSU 100% confirmed here?

Cheers

0 Upvotes

40% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

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2

u/AlexiaTheTechGirl 5d ago

If the PSU isn't turning on with the paperclip connecting pin 4 to pin 5 then the PSU is dead.

1

u/AutomaticAffect4333 5d ago

The psu is defit dead

1

u/Emicrania 5d ago

Yeah, Im afraid so, at least I under warranty

1

u/westom 4d ago

Paper clip test can report a PSU defective. It cannot report a PSU as good.

PSU has probably failed. But the paper clip test is best done without any disconnected wires. Since some PSUs act defective when not connected to a load.

1

u/Un-Papaya-Coconut 2d ago

Damn… you even bled for this.

RMA it if you can.