Question about a weird boot loop on a custom build

Had a client bring in a new gaming PC that would power on for two seconds, then shut off and restart. I spent three hours checking the usual stuff, reseating RAM, swapping the PSU, even pulling the motherboard out. The fix was so dumb. The front panel power button wires were shorting against the case frame where the grommet had slipped. Took me ten minutes to fix after I found it. Anyone else ever get stuck on a simple hardware short like that?

4 comments

4 Comments

lily_torres314d ago

Oh man, that brings back memories. My friend built his first PC and had this same EXACT problem. He spent like four hours on a Saturday tearing his hair out, reseating everything, even took the whole board out and rebuilt it on the cardboard box. Finally he gave up and brought it to me. I just looked at the front panel connectors and saw the little plastic housing was cracked and the metal pin was touching the case edge. Pushed the connector back on straight and it booted right up first try. He was so mad he almost threw his mouse across the room. Those thin wires are a total nightmare when they get squished.

samk771mo ago

That kind of intermittent short is a real pain to track down. It makes you wonder if a thermal camera would spot the hot spot faster than visual checks. Probably not worth the cost for most shops, but it's an interesting idea.

foster.tessa1mo ago

Man, that front panel short is a classic. Did you notice any signs of damage on the wires themselves, like the insulation was rubbed through, or was it just the metal connector touching the frame? I always worry about those thin wires getting pinched during a build.

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jamie8041mo agoMost Upvoted

You're talking like it's a ticking time bomb. I've seen those front panel wires get mashed against the case a dozen times. Usually it just causes a weird boot loop or the power button stops working, not a fire. Most builds are sloppy with cable routing anyway. It's a problem to fix, but not the end of the world.