Computer won't boot after storm - Troubleshooting

[Eric7696]

My system was fully functioning for nearly a year until about two weeks ago. There was a pretty heavy thunderstorm with a lightning strike within a few dozen yards (or meters) of my house. Since then, my system will not boot. I assumed that the storm could have damaged my power supply, and have since tried a brand new PSU to no avail. I have tried stripping the system down to CPU, 1 DIMM and NO drives to see if there were any other hardware issues. I have also tried resetting the CMOS settings by removing power and then removing the MB battery. I have yet to accomplish anything.

The only indicator I have is the blinking standby "PWR_LED" on the motherboard that was solid on when the system was functioning. It blinks on about every 3 seconds. I cannot find anything in the MB manual about what this may indicate. Also wondering what component is most likely to fail during a power surge after the PSU.

 

Thanks in advance for any insight!

 

Parts listed below:

Intel i5-8600K @ 4.0 GHz

Asus ROG STRIX Z370-F Gaming

G.Skill Trident Z (4x8 GB) DDR4-3200

Samsung 960 EVO 250 GB

A few BarraCuda Drives

Sapphire RX 590 NITRO+

SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Gold 650 W (now 750 W)

[Nocte]

You must have fried one or more of your components (CPU, mobo, RAM).

Motherboard is the most likely issue given the LED.

[SpookyCitrus]

I second Nocte, more than likely a fried motherboard given the LED and that replacing the PSU didn't fix the issue. Were you using a surge protector? 

[Eric7696]

2 minutes ago, SpookyCitrus said:

Were you using a surge protector? 

I was using an IKEA power strip. It must not have surge protection. Pretty stupid of me.

[LukeNukem9]

2 minutes ago, Eric7696 said:

I was using an IKEA power strip. It must not have surge protection. Pretty stupid of me.

If you have satellite internet, It could be your ethernet too.(but your internet would be down and im dum)

[Mister Woof]

Iirc I don't even think most surge protectors will save you from a lightning strike

[Ravendarat]

5 hours ago, Plutosaurus said:

Iirc I don't even think most surge protectors will save you from a lightning strike

Many will but usually they are a bit more money, certainly not what you get from ikea. I use a monster power bar for my laptop and a ups for my desktop, both carry insurance to replace the product plugged into it from a lightning strike if it fails to save the product 

[dDave64]

4 minutes ago, Ravendarat said:

Many will but usually they are a bit more money, certainly not what you get from ikea. I use a monster power bar for my laptop and a ups for my desktop, both carry insurance to replace the product plugged into it from a lightning strike if it fails to save the product 

 

I had heard the warranties are a bit sketchy on those. Never had to try for it but I did buy a 12 outlet MONSTER anyway for all my computer stuff.

 

My AV setup is connected to two Belkin 12 outlet surge protectors with a $300,000 warranty on each. Again though, I hear those warranties are sketchy. I guess I’ll find out if my stuff ever gets hit.

 

but yeah. At least have a surge protector for your stuff. Power strips are better for basic stuff like lamps, a vacuum, etc.

[Turtle Rig]

8 hours ago, Eric7696 said:

I was using an IKEA power strip. It must not have surge protection. Pretty stupid of me.

Ouch!  As posted above by Nocte if that motherboard is blinking then the motherboard is botched and I doubt the CPU died with it nor the RAM.  The 24pin and 8 pin PSU to motherboard boinked out, sorry for that.  See if for testing you can buy a motherboard from Fry's or Best Buy's if you have it in your location.  I rather have you do that then buy a brand new motherboard and face the same problem.  But Im very sure its only the motherboard.  Sorry again you had to go through this. 

[Eric7696]

On 4/25/2019 at 7:32 PM, Turtle Rig said:

But Im very sure its only the motherboard.  Sorry again you had to go through this. 

Yeah, this seems like the most likely scenario. My buddy has a very similar build. I'm going to drop my CPU and RAM into his system to ensure that those components are still functioning. Then, I will probably proceed with purchasing a new motherboard. AND a surge protector while I'm at it!

[Turtle Rig]

10 minutes ago, Eric7696 said:

Yeah, this seems like the most likely scenario. My buddy has a very similar build. I'm going to drop my CPU and RAM into his system to ensure that those components are still functioning. Then, I will probably proceed with purchasing a new motherboard. AND a surge protector while I'm at it!

Yes and don't get a crummy surge protector, Pay a bit more and get something nice and big and sexy and what not.