Computer smoking

Tigjaw

Tigjaw

Tigjaw

Associate
Joined
6 Oct 2005
Posts
669
Location
West Midlands
My computer just turned itself off while playing a game, I tried to turn it back on and the monitor wasn't responding, also, the fans weren't working.

It turned itself back off and when I tried to turn it back on again I could smell a metal-solder-like burning smell. I turned it off immediately and now it seems it wont work.

What's happened? any ideas?

I hadn't been playing the game long but the inside of my compurer still seemed hot.

More reason to hope my conroe computer arrives soon.
 
A.N.Other said:
Sounds like probably PSU death to me. Do you have another PC that you can grab one from to test if it was this?
Click to expand...

I hope it is the PSU, cheapest thing to replace :)

My brother has an identical computer to mine (bar GFXcard and RAM) so I could nick his PSU but the way the PSU is installed into our computers is very awkward and tight fitted. I have insurance on my PC so I can take it into the repair shop but I just wanted to see if you guys could tell me what was wrong first.

One thing I noted was that when I turned the computer on the fans tried to spin and then stopped before the computer shut down again...does sound like the PSU.

I'll check it out anyway, I'll keep you updated! Thanks for the advice.

EDIT: Can't get my PC checked at the repair shop until tuesday :(
 
Last edited:
Fans spinning and then shutting off immediately definitely indicates a dead PSU - as soon as any load is drawn from it, it fails.

I had a PSU dead on arrival that did this to me once :(! Took ages to RMA, as well :mad:!
 
Hmm seems my post got deleted because I politely vented my frustration about my £900 order. Nevermind...

I hope it is the PSU, and hopefully my overclockers order will arrive monday once all of my items finally get in stock, maybe then I'll be able to get my work done.
 
have a look inside at all the cards, slots and cables.

My brother in law's PC wouldn't boot up (fans had a half turn and then it would turn off again), and stank of something burning. it turned out to be the videocard cooler failing, and it's wiring melting then shorting (the fan failed, wires melted and shorted).

Once I spotted it (after checking everything else), and replaced the cooler it booted fine.

I've also had problems with cards burning out, specifically an NIC catching fire:eek: - that burned the PCI slot and stopped the machine from booting, but again once it was removed the machine booted fine (and is still in use 3 years later by a friend).
 
Werewolf said:
have a look inside at all the cards, slots and cables.

My brother in law's PC wouldn't boot up (fans had a half turn and then it would turn off again), and stank of something burning. it turned out to be the videocard cooler failing, and it's wiring melting then shorting (the fan failed, wires melted and shorted).

Once I spotted it (after checking everything else), and replaced the cooler it booted fine.

I've also had problems with cards burning out, specifically an NIC catching fire:eek: - that burned the PCI slot and stopped the machine from booting, but again once it was removed the machine booted fine (and is still in use 3 years later by a friend).
Click to expand...

Heh well at least mine hasn't caught on fire but it smelt like it. I think I'll have a look at the GFx card and the PSU and hope it's the latter.

I wont be using the GFx card once my new one comes but it's worth £20-40 second hand.

Thanks again.

EDIT: I've just taken a look and there doesn't seem to be any obvious damage.
The graphics card looks fine and after I gave the whole computer a good dusting (with one of those mini computer hoovers) I tried to boot the thing up again to no avail. On a side note, the smell definately seemed to be coming from the PSU.
 
Last edited:
Open the side of the case and put your nose near the components, its not hard to tell where the problem area is.

Should narrow it down for you pretty quickly.
 
t31os said:
Open the side of the case and put your nose near the components, its not hard to tell where the problem area is.

Should narrow it down for you pretty quickly.
Click to expand...

yeah it seems to be coming from the PSU, I didn't leave it on long enough to get a surefire-sniff in fear of wrecking the whole thing. But the failing fan and quick bootup-bootdown of the system as well as the smell definately points to the PSU.

I just wish I had a spare or another way to give it power :(
 
Joe42 said:
By the sounds of it it was a cheap unbranded one...?
Click to expand...

Yep, not a very good one... the spec in my sig is the one hopefully being delivered by OC in the near future.
 
Sorry for double post, needed to bump...

Repair guy came today, replaced the PSU and found out that my graphics card is also dead, my poor 6600GT burnt out :(

On top of that, he didn't replace my broken CD/DVD combi drive and I can't find the receipt for my graphics card.
 
Can i suggest you read a few of the guides on these boards and do a bit of googling.
You really don't need to call out repair man to PC's as you should be doing it yourself. The cost of the repair man is using up money you could be using on hardware for starters.
Nothing is held in with more than a few small screws and everything is very accessible if done in the right order.
Untold information is available to you and even more help is given on these here boards.
No matter who you are you should be installing, repairing or upgrading your system yourself. This way not only will you be able to save money but also you will realise just you how simple these things are.
Ask anything on these boards and you will get Sound advise.
 
malc30 said:
Can i suggest you read a few of the guides on these boards and do a bit of googling.
You really don't need to call out repair man to PC's as you should be doing it yourself. The cost of the repair man is using up money you could be using on hardware for starters.
Nothing is held in with more than a few small screws and everything is very accessible if done in the right order.
Untold information is available to you and even more help is given on these here boards.
No matter who you are you should be installing, repairing or upgrading your system yourself. This way not only will you be able to save money but also you will realise just you how simple these things are.
Ask anything on these boards and you will get Sound advise.
Click to expand...

I didn't have to pay him, he just came as part of the insurance I paid for my computer a few years ago. Besides, I got a free (working) PSU out of it and now my computer works.
 
If it had been a high quality psu it wouldn't have destroyed any components.

What psu did he replace it with? I bet its another unbranded one that will blow up in a couple of years time and destroy more components, which will make the repair man some more money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom