Popping noise and smoke coming from mobo

Twisterthepain

Reputable
Mar 17, 2014
4
0
4,510
I was adding in two additional hard drives for dual boot purposes. Once I wired everything I turned on the computer with the case open to see if anything would happen. When it turned on I heard a popping noise and saw, with my own eyes, smoke come from the Motherboard. I'm not sure if the mobo or the PSU should get replaced. I can actually still turn the computer on. All LED's will shine and fans will spin. I cannot get any display to my monitor though.
 
Solution
Well, you say smoke from the MoBo and/or PSU?

Hard drives don't really affect the power going to/from the MoBo, and the SATA data cables are grounded. And adding 2 hard drives to a PSU that is already at it's limit could cause it to fail.

Normally hearing a pop and seeing smoke is from a busted CAPacitor. If you don't see any scorched caps on the motherboard, change the PSU out and see if it works.

* Unplug everything non-essential before testing this again BTW.
Well, you say smoke from the MoBo and/or PSU?

Hard drives don't really affect the power going to/from the MoBo, and the SATA data cables are grounded. And adding 2 hard drives to a PSU that is already at it's limit could cause it to fail.

Normally hearing a pop and seeing smoke is from a busted CAPacitor. If you don't see any scorched caps on the motherboard, change the PSU out and see if it works.

* Unplug everything non-essential before testing this again BTW.
 
Solution

Twisterthepain

Reputable
Mar 17, 2014
4
0
4,510
I did some troubleshooting to see what was short circuited. After putting back in my old MoBo the PSU started it up without a problem. I troubleshot several different parts and they all worked fine. The MoBo short circuited and I will be calling for a replacement.