Something inside my PC burnt out!

JDean9121 · May 19, 2014

So earlier today my girlfriend came into my room asking me if something was burning, I told her i didnt smell anything. An hour later I started to notice the smell and I looked around my room and noticed there was smoke everywhere. I quickly tried shutting of my PC but as I was doing so it turnt itself off. I give it an hour to rest and confirmed that something had gone terribly wrong inside when it didnt turn back on.

Now, Im lost. I dont know what to do next, I dont know anything about PC's, Though I think its the power supply as it was boiling hot and after inspecting it smelled weird.

Could it possibly be anything else? or if it is the power supply will anything inside my machine be destroyed?

daswilhelm · May 19, 2014

if the power supply smells "weird", or like burning, you would want to replace that.

JDean9121 · May 19, 2014

When i attemp to start it up, It actually lights up the standby button for a split second then turns itself off again and I get nothing.
Dont know if that helps.

boosted1g · May 19, 2014

Shy of a part having a hole burnt through it, there is no way to know for sure without replacing the power supply and trying it unfortunalty.

daswilhelm · May 19, 2014

i would not attempt to start that machine, until you replace the power supply.

JamesSneed · May 19, 2014

It probably is the power supply but when those fail in that fashion they can take out other components. I would find a reputable repair shop or if the PC is under warranty go that route. Either way since you are not someone who builds PC's I would not try messing with it take it someone to get it fixed.

JDean9121 · May 19, 2014

Thankyou for the responses. Im pretty pissed off as I haven't had this PC long at all. Have no warranty left also and cannot afford to buy another if it has ruined the components inside. I will try replacing it within the next week or so and hope for the best.

If it is the Power supply, Whats the chances the other components have survived the ordeal?

daswilhelm · May 19, 2014

there's no telling whats busted. when a psu goes, it can take things with it, or not. you can visually inspect other components and look for burns or blown cap's. but honestly, it's rare that a power supply damages other components.

boosted1g · May 19, 2014

It all comes down to the quality of the PSU and motherboard, and pure luck. A good PSU will not allow voltage spikes out, a good motherboard will do what it can to prevent it from damaging anything.

There is a decent chance nothing is damaged, but there is a decent chance it fried something.

I know you are working with a tight budget but dont go cheap on the power supply, the power supply that burnt up was probably a cheap one. Cheap PSUs have very low efficiency, never able to output what they claim, and dont have good protection. Right now the lowest priced quality psu is a antec basiq, the 430watt is around $40 USD.

JDean9121 · May 19, 2014

After further inspection, The Grey Tape looking stuff thats connected to the motherboard seems to have melted/split. I'm 100% it wasnt like this before. So Im guessing the motherboard is ruined, And Im assuming that was what the smell was.

daswilhelm · May 19, 2014

can you describe this grey tape? where is comes from and where its going?

USAFRet · May 19, 2014

JDean9121 :

Somewhere between 0.1% and 100%

JDean9121 · May 19, 2014

daswilhelm :

Sorry I dont know exactly what its called. But its connected to the motherboard for sure, And I dont know where it leads to. It looks like a plastic type of duct tape, it has striples down it. I'd take a photo but my camera is currently out of charge.

daswilhelm · May 19, 2014

sounds like a ribbon cable, is this an older machine? either way, if you see things that are melted, you should bring your pc to a professional and let them diagnose it, or just buy a new pc.

JDean9121 · May 19, 2014

Looks something like this but not exactly the same > [IMG/]http://humaxdisk.wikispaces.com/file/view/extsocket1.jpg/30329093/extsocket1.jpg

daswilhelm · May 19, 2014

well if your system is old enough to be using an ide ribbon cable, it's most likely due to be replaced anyway. i wouldn't think its worth it to you to repair is given how cheap new systems can be.

also, if that part is melted, i would assume many other components are fried as well.

USAFRet · May 19, 2014

Yes, that a ribbon cable. One or more things in the PC have released the magic smoke.

JamesSneed · May 21, 2014

You should post some pictures of the internals of your PC when you have time. If the ribbon cable is burnt you may have larger issues.

Something inside my PC burnt out!

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Splendid

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Judicious

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