something blew

**xShrimp** · August 25th, 2006, 12:16 PM

so im running xp, and my computer was running for more than 5 days straight, and i got a decent cooling for my cpu. but just this morning, i was playing F.E.A.R. and i smelled something funny, kinda like the burning but nothing was on fire. so since i could smell it from above, Im assuming that it was my PSU's fan blowing the smell away. I have a light up mouse, and the LED on the mouse is on whenever the mobo has pwoer, now it doesn't. So either I have no power from psu or my mobo got fried. The worse part is after the computer shut off, there was a spark and from the glimpse I saw, it was either at or near the ATX connection area, do you think my mobo or psu got fried? I'd rather spend 50 on psu than 200 on mobo. And my psu fan has only 4 inches between it and the wall.

**Stalemate** · August 25th, 2006, 01:03 PM

Unfortunately, until you try another PSU you'll never know if the MB has been damaged.

**geoscomp** · August 25th, 2006, 01:36 PM

If you saw a spark in that area, take a close look with a flashlight to see if there are any scorch marks on the motherboard atx connector or anywhere else in that area. Also look for swollen capacitors. If you have either, you need a new motherboard

**xShrimp** · August 25th, 2006, 01:49 PM

okay... im planning to buy a new psu tomorrow, and test my mobo. then shut down my computer more frequently

**slgrieb** · August 25th, 2006, 05:12 PM

Sounds to me like the power supply is certainly bad. Generally, a failed power supply just quits, and the system is none the worse. But since you got sparks and smoke, I think you can go ahead and budget for a mainboard, and you might even be looking at a new CPU.

Of course, you could just look at this as a golden opportunity to upgrade.

**xShrimp** · August 25th, 2006, 05:31 PM

NOOO!!!! i dont wanna get a new processor!! friggin hell!
im gonna chek my mobo after i get off work. for some scorched marks and swollen thingy's. MAN! getting a new processor is gonna kill me. well Im just gonna pray my cpu is fine

EDIT: forgot to mention that i DIDN"T see smoke, i just smelt something funny and probably just from my psu fan blowing it out

**slgrieb** · August 25th, 2006, 06:04 PM

X, the great thing about being a pessimist is the worst that can happen to you is being pleasantly surprised! Current hardware (both CPUs and mainboards) is pretty sensitive to incorrect voltage. P4s can be damaged if the voltage supplied to the processor is more than +/- 3% out of spec.

That strange odor you smelled was most likely blown out by the PSU fan, but I doubt it was a computer fart. More likely, it was an odor produced by burning insulation, etc. In Texas, we often refer to such gaseous byproducts of combustion (perhaps inaccurately in the strictest technical sense) as... smoke.

If you can, check your CPU in another system before you cough up the cash for a mainboard. If it is dead, you may be able to buy a new MOBO/CPU combo for about what you would spend to buy similar replacements for your old stuff.

Finally, don't buy some cheap, generic power supply. Get a good brand like Enermax, Enlight, Thermaltake, Antec, PC Power and Cooling.

**xShrimp** · August 25th, 2006, 10:18 PM

im gonna buy another PSU tomorrow, Ive taken a look at the mobo and it seems fine, no burnt/scorched marks, and no capacitor's were swollen. btw, are capacitors the ones that look like AAA batteries sticking out of the mobo?

**street1** · August 26th, 2006, 04:43 AM

AAA batteries sticking out of the motherboard.

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=195

**xShrimp** · August 26th, 2006, 09:14 AM

thanks, well all of them seen fine, their flat on the top and still circular

**psebold** · August 27th, 2006, 02:35 AM

Okay, so I think X Shrimp and I have the same problem of sorts... perhaps. I was searching the internet for my problem and came across his log. Here is my story:

1. My Desktop (Dell) began having issues with the monitor flickering on and off. I unplugged all the cables, blew out the dust from inside, and then was okay for a couple of days.

2. The power on/off returned for the monitor, and was accompanied by freeze-ups. Same fix, went away for a day.

3. Today, the monitor and mouse froze up hard, the computer started beeping (a strange, low-pitched beep) and now it won't power up at all. I checked the cable from the ATX PS to the motherboard and it is severley scorched on the orange leads on the motherboard end.

Ideas? Do I need a new MB? Perhaps a MB and PS? Perhaps it's best to just upgrade this 5 year old computer?

**street1** · August 27th, 2006, 05:20 AM

Try another power supply!

Originally Posted by daffy86

Try another PSU

I agree with daffy86.

**xShrimp** · August 27th, 2006, 11:42 AM

YAY!!! OKIE so I bought an Enermax 350W from a local computer shop and pluged it in and i didn't see my mouseled light up, so my first impression was CRAP until I saw that I shut off my power bar. Flicked it on and booted it up and it works! Thanks to all that helped me! Was sick to my stomach last night think my dualcore was no more. Thank you again to everyone!

**street1** · August 27th, 2006, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by xShrimp

YAY!!! OKIE so I bought an Enermax 350W from a local computer shop and pluged it in and i didn't see my mouseled light up, so my first impression was CRAP until I saw that I shut off my power bar. Flicked it on and booted it up and it works! Thanks to all that helped me! Was sick to my stomach last night think my dualcore was no more. Thank you again to everyone!

ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL.