Burnt plug

[Robert_G]

Took the kids computer apart to clean it today and was greeted with this when I pulled the 4 pin plug out.

What would cause this?
The computer was working fine, although a little hot . The socket on the board, although looking slightly brown, doesn't seem damaged. Do you think it would be ok to just whack a new PSU in?

 

[Robert_G]

Whoah, that's some serious toasting there.

This just proves that value PSUs are to be avoided. I assume that was a value one, since the cables were not sleeved.

If the metal contacts on the motherboard look OK, then yes, you can put a new PSU in.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-173-AN&groupid=701&catid=123

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-076-BQ&groupid=701&catid=123

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-014-EA&groupid=701&catid=123

A couple of suggestions here.

Yes it was a generic 500 watt one. It's lasted since 2008 though and has powered a phenom ii 940 + a variety of graphics cards, so it hasn't done badly.

If the socket is ok I'll be whacking my EVGA G1 PSU in there when my G2 comes.
Here's a pic of the mobo socket (haven't cleaned out the residue of the old plug yet):

What do you reckon guys, it was working fine despite the burning, so the board isn't damaged, just the plug socket, and if it comes to it I could probably source a 4 pin socket off an old motherboard and solder it on.

 

[Robert_G]

i'd try cleaning it up first
as long as your still getting a good connection with the new psu should be ok
a lot less hassle than replacing the socket and soldering a new one on

might just be the picture but it does look like you have been lucky that thing didnt short out or burst in to flames

I was thinking that myself.

 

[Robert_G]

That's the result of a poor connection between terminals in the connector. If only a small part were making a connection it would warm up when current flows and slowly melt the connector.

You might want to get something sharp down inside that motherboard connector and remove some of that charring and expose the metal beneath, otherwise you'll see a similar issue on a replacement PSU.

Good stuff, this can probably be put down to wear and tear then.
No doubt the pins were considerably loosened over the years, as I sometimes had to jiggle the plug a little to get it out and the system has been rebuilt into several cases, as well as stripped down periodically to be cleaned.

Edit: Plug socket will have to be replaced, the pins are a little too burnt unfortunately.

Edit edit: Plug now replaced, just need to wait for the new psu to arrive

 

[Robert_G]

I'm amazed that PSU has lasted that long. I'm glad there wasn't any further damage to your build! EVGA is a great choice for a replacement.

It has lasted very well to be fair, as it was on 24/7. I'm very happy with the EVGA power supplies, I was looking for an excuse to order a G2 so I could bag myself a set of CableMod cables, which you can't get for the G1 which I have currently.