Or by only putting one stick of memory in, or changing the slot you’re using.

I was assembling a computer and everything seemed to be correct, the fan would spin up, I’d get some lights, but there was no image on the screen, not even the BIOS. I saw someone else make this suggestion and didn’t think it was likely to work, but it did. First I just tried one stick, and it booted. Then I tried both sticks and it didn’t work, but I reseated and then it did.

(Also worth pointing out that your motherboard should have diagnostic lights which if you check the documentation may point out which component has an issue)

Thinking about Lemmy’s demographics many here may have heard of something like this, or have more helpful suggestions about troubleshooting which would be welcome. But thought I’d write out a little post about my experience to contribute to Lemmy SEO supremacy.

  • @[email protected]
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    fedilink
    19 months ago

    It should work. Doing that discharges any electricity still in the mobo. A build up of static electricity can cause a computer to not post.

    If you have to do this regularly, get a humidifier for the room your computer is in, and verify your outlet is properly grounded.

    • @piecat
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      19 months ago

      Pushing the power switch shouldn’t do anything to static electricity.

      • Ghoelian
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        fedilink
        29 months ago

        Yeah iirc all that does is make sure all of the capacitors on the motherboard and in the PSU are discharged. Still a good thing do do before working in a pc, to reduce the chance of accidentally shorting a still charged cap with a screw or something.