Motherboard's CPU LED on during startup, no bios or boot

[llllrrrr]

So this is new, upon starting my computer last night, I noticed that nothing really happened. The fans started spinning, but no lights on keyboard or mouse, and no signal in display. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the CPU_LED light is on, and it’s red. It’s a nice colour, but not in this context.

Everything worked more or less a week ago, when I shut the computer down and disconnected it from the electric network. Since that’s the only thing that has happened (no one’s even touched the case), I wonder if the CMOS battery has something to do with the situation. Can a dead battery screw up things in this fashion, or did the CPU just happen to break at the exact same time the computer went unplugged?

Relevant hardware:
MB: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0
CPU: AMD FX-8370

Power unit is CORSAIR Builder Series CX 80+ Bronze 600 W, but all the usual motherboard lights are on before startup, and all the fans work, so dunno if it’s relevant.

[Bruce]

remove the memory sticks and graphics card (if it has one).
with a soft bristled brush, wipe the circuitry, the contact pins and the motherboard slots.
reseat and see if that helps.
if not, try one memory stick (if more than one) at a time, and trying different slots if no luck with the first slot.

and no, a dead CMOS battery would not cause that issue.

if no luck with the above, get your hands on another PSU and see if that’s the reason.

[llllrrrr]

So you think it’s more likely it’s PSU related than CPU related?

And yeah, there’s a graphics card, pretty big one at that. I guess I need to watch a tutorial on how to remove it safely first.

[Bruce]

So you think it’s more likely it’s PSU related than CPU related?

unknown at this stage, hence the troubleshooting of the easy parts first.

[Bruce]

@llllrrrr - any news?

[llllrrrr]

None yet, family life’s kept me too busy from these operations. One of these days… Or nights.

[Bruce]

no worries.
I’ll close this for now and PM any staff member to have it re-opened when you get the time.