Unplugged GPU, Computer powered off, PSU still on

[ehawkins2232]

So a buddy of mine just called me, and told me that he was unplugging his editing PCs gpu (gtx 970) and swapping it with a gtx 1070ti, but he didn't turn of the PSU. Now he is attempting to turn back on the computer, but all that happens is his fans turn on for a second then turn off. I think it might be possible that he fried something inside the computer.

-I have limited knowledge of the specs, except the 2 gpus he swapped

-He is running Windows 10

- I do not have the time to look at the pc right now, but he tells me that there is no burning smell coming from the case.

I suggested he tried to at least get into the bios, but it seems the system doesn't even want to post. Any suggestions?

[Princess Luna]

you should never ever unplug or plug PCI-e , DIMM, CPU or any thing.... even SATA Drives if your motherboard is still being powered on by the PSU, doing so can result in damaged hardware.

[ehawkins2232]

I am aware of that, but my friend was not. It's pretty obvious that it would cause damage. However, I am asking for suggestions that I can tell him over the phone ( I can't meet with him at the moment)

[tazemarioz780]

8 minutes ago, Eric Hawkins said:

I am aware of that, but my friend was not. It's pretty obvious that it would cause damage. However, I am asking for suggestions that I can tell him over the phone ( I can't meet with him at the moment)

I can't think of much to do rather than see if he can claim a warranty on it

[tazemarioz780]

Just now, tazemarioz780 said:

I can't think of much to do rather than see if he can claim a warranty on it

Claim that it was fried when it was sent lol

[ehawkins2232]

17 minutes ago, Princess Cadence said:

you should never ever unplug or plug PCI-e , DIMM, CPU or any thing.... even SATA Drives if your motherboard is still being powered on by the PSU, doing so can result in damaged hardware.

What should the next step be?

[Unimaginative Name]

2 minutes ago, Eric Hawkins said:

What should the next step be?

Tell him to try the usual troubleshooting steps:

1) Try to boot without GPU (if iGPU exists) and only one stick of ram (if possible), also have him try different dimm slots

2) Clear CMOS, just because

3) Try again.

 

If there are debug codes or debug leds on the board, use those as guides. All of this is to try to find the extent of the damage. Without extra hardware, it's hard to find damaged components at times. It's possible only the board is dead, it's also possible that the cpu is dead as well as a number of other things. 

[ehawkins2232]

9 minutes ago, Unimaginative Name said:

Tell him to try the usual troubleshooting steps:

1) Try to boot without GPU (if iGPU exists) and only one stick of ram (if possible), also have him try different dimm slots

2) Clear CMOS, just because

3) Try again.

 

If there are debug codes or debug leds on the board, use those as guides. All of this is to try to find the extent of the damage. Without extra hardware, it's hard to find damaged components at times. It's possible only the board is dead, it's also possible that the cpu is dead as well as a number of other things. 

Thx for the help, I appreciate it!