FIRE!!!

Fire_fly · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:10

Well that was a surprise....

I was sat am my computer about 10 mins ago and there was a faint smell of smoke, a bit like party poppers, which got progressively stronger. Pushing back from my desk I could now see there was light coming from out of the front of the case and an alarming amount of smoke escaping from the top. It was on fire...

I managed to quickly unplug it and the flames went out. The tower is now sat on the dining room table and i'm about to take it apart to work out what was the cause.

I can't see any obvious sign of burning but there is still a faint smell coming from the top part of the case around the cooler.

Anyone got any suggestions of where to start?

Delboy · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:16

mattyg · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:20

Capacitors can give out an alarming amount of smoke when they go pop

Dokinator · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:21

Pics please!

Fire_fly · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:21

Don't think it is the PSU, can't see any signs of burning on it.

Fire_fly · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:22

mattyg said:
Capacitors can give out an alarming amount of smoke when they go pop

There were flames.

Bacon? · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:22

What have you currently got plugged into the motherboard and drive bays?

j.col · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:23

mattyg said:
Capacitors can give out an alarming amount of smoke when they go pop

this
i had the same thing happen to me a couple of months ago, something went pop, then saw flames and smoke.
and it really does stink :eek:

here is a pic of mine http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18432726

Dokinator · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:23

Hmmm try differant PSU and see if it happens again, be carefull it doesent go pop again

Fire_fly · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:26

Bingo, it was the DVD drive / Fan controller molex connection it has all melted together.

Will upload pics in a min.

Fire_fly · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:36

areksnumbr1sxylady · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:39

I used to leave my PC on when I went away from home, not anymore...

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:47

Holy Cow!

Lazder said:
I used to leave my PC on when I went away from home, not anymore...

Fire_fly · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:50

Yeah I was very lucky in that I was there when it happened. 5 mins earlier and I was downstairs making a drink. If it had gone then it may have set fire to the whole room.

I would have hoped that as it was caused by a short the PSU would have detected it and shut off.

Antowns · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:51

Fire_fly said:

Is that the power connector for the CD drive?

Fire_fly · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:57

Antowns said:
Is that the power connector for the CD drive?

The one that says power on it is the connector for the fan controller and it is melted onto the molex to SATA connector that runs the DVD drive.

The other pic is the back of the DVD drive.

areksnumbr1sxylady · 19 Oct 2012 at 14:57

Antowns said:
Is that the power connector for the CD drive?

yeah and sata.

unleashed · 19 Oct 2012 at 15:06

What make of fan controller was it?

Fire_fly · 19 Oct 2012 at 15:18

BitFenix recon Fan controller bought in August.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-072-BX

Antowns · 19 Oct 2012 at 15:38

Fire_fly said:
The one that says power on it is the connector for the fan controller and it is melted onto the molex to SATA connector that runs the DVD drive.

The other pic is the back of the DVD drive.

Wow, you going to contact the manufacturer of the PSU / drive to get to the root cause of the issue? what PSU do you have? don't think i'll be leaving my PC unattended for a while.. :eek: