going for third new Motherboard

So I had an issue with my original M/B. The USB ports on the rear panel stopped working. I had a work around but when I asked on here I was told I should send it back to ASUS because it was still under warranty it was a TUF Z690-Plus WiFi D4. So ASUS came back to let me know there were bent pins on the CPU socket. Long story short I paid the money and they sent me another board. A "new" used board that was DOA. So I decided I'm not going to play their game and just order a new Z790-Plus wifi D4. Got it today put it all back together and turned it on and wait for it... a loud "POP" then nothing. I pulled the PSU out and heard a raddle. I must have dropped a screw into when taking it apart. I had another new PSU so I plugged that in and changed all the wires from the Corsair to the EVGA PSU but still nothing. I assume I fried the motherboard at least I hope that's what it is. I ordered another new Z790-Plus.
So my question is could it be a blown motherboard or could I have fried the CPU because that is a whole road I don't want to go down. Anyone? Any thoughts on which it could be?

The rattle in the old Power Supply may have been the remains of an exploded capacitor.

If you saw no LED's illuminate on the motherboard then check to make sure the new Power Supply is actually working.

Put a small wire, paper clip etc. between the Green wired pin and a Black wired pin on the 24 Pin connector and leave it there while testing.

Note: The Power Supply should be completely disconnected from the PC.



Then use a VOM (volt/ohm meter) to measure the output voltages at the 24 pin connector.

The voltages should be ~+/- 12v DC, ~5v DC and ~3.3v DC.

Black wired pins = ground

When the new motherboard arrives, do NOT put it in the case. Place it on top of it's box and plug everything in, then turn it on to make sure everything is working correctly.

There may be an unintentional short circuit in the case, so make sure the motherboard does not touch any part of the case except for the mounting standoffs and rear panel connectors.

After you verify that all is working correctly, then put the motherboard etc. into the case, carefully.

When there is a loud POP there generally is some visible evidence of the failed part. So a bright light and a magnifying glass have a good chance of finding the failed part (if any) on the motherboard. Check both top and bottom, including traces which may have functioned as fuses.

Also, remove the cover of the power supply with the rattle and shake it upside down over a couple paper towels to see what drops out. Then give it a good visual inspection too - the supply may have been the source of the POP.

I went through several defective replacement supplies from Asia that would each last a few months. I purchased a modest cost tester that displays all the voltages from the supply on an LCD display. It showed that one of the 5v supplies on each of these failed supplies would get unstable after being ON for a short time. These testers cost about $12 on eBay, search for "computer power supply tester" if interested.

With respect to bent pins...... Had you pulled the CPU for some reason? Bent pins wouldn't just happen after the cpu was installed for no reason.

rexaw said:

So I had an issue with my original M/B. The USB ports on the rear panel stopped working. I had a work around but when I asked on here I was told I should send it back to ASUS because it was still under warranty it was a TUF Z690-Plus WiFi D4. So ASUS came back to let me know there were bent pins on the CPU socket. Long story short I paid the money and they sent me another board. A "new" used board that was DOA. So I decided I'm not going to play their game and just order a new Z790-Plus wifi D4. Got it today put it all back together and turned it on and wait for it... a loud "POP" then nothing. I pulled the PSU out and heard a raddle. I must have dropped a screw into when taking it apart. I had another new PSU so I plugged that in and changed all the wires from the Corsair to the EVGA PSU but still nothing. I assume I fried the motherboard at least I hope that's what it is. I ordered another new Z790-Plus.
So my question is could it be a blown motherboard or could I have fried the CPU because that is a whole road I don't want to go down. Anyone? Any thoughts on which it could be?

Click to expand...

You should immediately stop repairing your own hardware and find someone competent to do it, or buy an assembled system. You are clueless.

I always do a "cardboard computer" test of all components before I stick it all into the case. Meaning I build the setup on top of the MB box it arrived in. This way I save time in case something is off with the hardware. And can quickly unplug it in case of emergency.

Next I triple check that the case is clean inside. No extra metal tabs sticking out somewhere. I also make extra sure that the MB standoffs are exactly positioned where the screw holes on the MB are. Not too many standoffs either, nor too few. Don't want to risk short circuits nor MB bending when plugging in cables and GPU.

Common sense

pparks1 said:

With respect to bent pins...... Had you pulled the CPU for some reason? Bent pins wouldn't just happen after the cpu was installed for no reason.

Click to expand...

I thought they stopped using pins on CPUs or is just some CPUs?

Winuser said:

I thought they stopped using pins on CPUs or is just some CPUs?

Click to expand...

Sockets have the pins.

@Winuser
AMD CPU's use pins, Intel CPU's use pads.

The Intel CPU sockets are prone to damage, while the AMD CPU's pins can be damaged if not handled with care, they are generally repairable with the right tools and skills.

Intel sockets can have their pins bent all too easily and when attempting to straighten said pins, they can easily break off. Then, the only way to fix the socket is to replace it and very few repair shops would even attempt to do that, it is not the easiest of jobs to perform successfully. Which means the only other way to repair the damage is to replace the motherboard.

The moral of the story is that you MUST handle any CPU with the utmost care.

trumpy81 said:

AMD CPU's use pins, Intel CPU's use pads.

The Intel CPU sockets are prone to damage, while the AMD CPU's pins can be damaged if not handled with care, they are generally repairable with the right tools and skills.

Click to expand...

I have had the pleasure years ago of finding out how easy the pins on the CPU can be bent. Luckily I was able to straighten them. I just looked at an old Asus board I had stored in my shed. The socket does have pins. They are short and it looks like it would take a little force to bend them.

Winuser said:

The socket does have pins. They are short and it looks like it would take a little force to bend them.

Click to expand...

I would tend to agree, except that I have seen said pins not only bent, but absolutely mangled.

The more 'bent' the pins are, the more difficult they can be to straighten properly and the easier they can break off. The only course of action after that is to replace the socket and that is anything but easy.

trumpy81 said:

I would tend to agree, except that I have seen said pins not only bent, but absolutely mangled.

Click to expand...

I'm not saying that the pins can't be bent, I'm saying that becase they are short and inside the socket they are harder to bend then the longer pins on the CPU.

I appreciate most of the responses. The original build was fine but I went through a hurricane here in North central Florida and had water damage. A leaky roof. My computer got wet. after I replace the GPU and let it dry out everything was fine. Then one day I wake up with no USB ports on the rear of the PC. Front worked fine. I bought a USB 7 socket adapter and was okay with that but people recommended sending it back in. I box it up really good and sent it back. Box inside a box with bubble wrap around inside box. But ASUS said the pins were bent. I paid the money and got another board back. Not sure what was wrong but it would no fire up. No more going back to ASUS for me. I just ordered a new board. Now this one was my fault. I must have dropped a screw from taking out the GPU and I had the fan on the PSU facing upward. When I installed the new motherboard and fired up the PC. Everything looked good for two seconds then a loud POP and nothing. Once I took out the PSU I heard something inside. I was able to get a screw out. This was all my fault. I had a new in box EVGA 850 P5 PSU that I installed and still nothing. So I am going to order another new motherboard unless anyone thinks I could have damaged the CPU.
Thanks for all the replies. But at this point it's not about the pins but whether I need to replace the CPU or the motherboard or both.

The discussion regarding CPU pins was not aimed at you or your issues so much, but it did spring from your comment about the ASUS diagnosis of bent pins.

Since you have ordered another motherboard, that option is off the table and you wont know if the CPU is damaged until you get the new motherboard and try it out.

In the meantime, have you checked that the new Power Supply is working or not?

And don't forget, to assemble everything out of the case first, test it and make sure everything works, then put everything in the case very carefully and check there are no short circuits with the motherboard etc.

I have ordered the computer power supply tester from Amazon so that should help. Thanks for recommending it. Case in point I never saw the bent pins on the MB I sent back to ASUS they told me they were bent. I don't see how they could have been bent but I don't think they would lie to me so I accepted what they said. The replacement board they sent me I have no idea what was wrong with it maybe nothing and I really am clueless like someone pointed out. The last board was my fault. I dropped a screw into the PSU and shorted out the PSU and maybe the MB. I'll test the PSU when I get the tester and see what I have. Again thanks.

We can speculate all we want, but we wont know the outcome until the new motherboard arrives and you have tested the PSU and re-assembled the PC etc...

Fit a speaker to the motherboard if it did not come with one and listen for any beep codes after you turn on the power. That will give you some clues on what issues you might be facing.

trumpy81 said:

AMD CPU's use pins, Intel CPU's use pads.

Click to expand...

This only true for AM4 socket. AM5 socket is very similar to latest Intel ones.

You are quite right, I forgot about the new AM5 socket/CPU being Intel like.

trumpy81 said:

You are quite right, I forgot about the new AM5 socket/CPU being Intel like.

Click to expand...

AMD must have finally realized that by doing this, the motherboard manufacturer has to deal with bent pins and not them.