Help - computer just exploded! Now what?

Soldato
Joined
6 Sep 2005
Posts
3,781
Hi guys

The missus was just browsing forums when there was an almighty POP and everything went dead, she said a spark came out of the back as well.

I've unplugged it from the mains and have checked inside but I ca't see any marks of any kind, the motherboard looks fully intact, there's no smell...for all intents and purposes it looks fine.

How do I go about diagnosing what the problem could be...basically I want to know, if I plug it back in and switch it on is it liable to take the whole machine out (if it hasn't done so already).

Many thanks for any replies, I'm at a bit of a loss on this one...first time it's happened.
 
Almost certainly psu. try plugging another psu in and pray it hasn't taken anything else with it.

i wouldn't connect that psu up, all the chances are it wont do any harm as it will be totally dead.
 
Help - computer just exploded! Now what?

1. Ring 999 ?
2. Get the Lappy out & runz to the Interwebz. (I like this one best)
3. Laugh.
4. Cry.
5. Attack the missus for spilling Liquids on the system.
6. Laugh about it & try another PSU.
 
What are the computer specs? Did you build it yourself?
May have a power supply that wasnt meaty enough.

Hyper PSU by any chance?

Thanks for the posts guys, I was wondering about the PSU myself but wasn't sure what would happen if I connected another PSU and it wasn't that at fault.

Yes the computer was home built, has been running quite happily for over a year and the power supply is a Corsair 620...as I said, it wasn't even under any load, just forum browsing. :(
 
it's almost certainly psu, so try putting in another one, which you know is working. After that you have to start replacing components 1 at a time.
 
there's been a lot of corsair dying, just like the hipers. is it because both had flaws or is it because they where the most recommended psu and thus 90% of the forum uses them.
 
there's been a lot of corsair dying, just like the hipers. is it because both had flaws or is it because they where the most recommended psu and thus 90% of the forum uses them.

Oh heck...well hopefully it's the later...I've got 6 PCs running on Corsair supplys because they were so highly recommended and reviewed.

I could replace it with a Corsair :( 450W which I would have to harvest from an office PC...does anyone know offhand if they have the dual power connectors required for powering an 8800GTX graphics card?
 
I remember a year or so ago saying that in a years time we'll see just how good the Corsair PSUs are, seems we're finding out now.

People will say thats it's a small % out of all that have been sold but I'm certainly glad I never put one in my system.
 
I remember a year or so ago saying that in a years time we'll see just how good the Corsair PSUs are, seems we're finding out now.

People will say thats it's a small % out of all that have been sold but I'm certainly glad I never put one in my system.
Aye & the worse thing is you have to send Corsair PSU's to Netherlands after 1 year warranty as the 4 other years have to be done through Corsair.

I would rather have a PSU with a UK RMA service, less hassle in the long run.
 
Aye & the worse thing is you have to send Corsair PSU's to Netherlands after 1 year warranty as the 4 other years have to be done through Corsair.

I would rather have a PSU with a UK RMA service, less hassle in the long run.

Totally agree with you there, wish I'd known about that when I bought...funny thing, none of the reviews mentioned it :(

Bah and double bah...still...not sure if it's the PSU or not yet...better get testing *sigh*
 
5* for the thread title.

Defo the PSU i'm afraid and i'm surprised it's a Corsair 620w... I haven't heard any bad things about them and mine has been cool and quiet... hmm...
 
If you search the forums, quite a lot of Corsair 620HX PSU's have blown, thats quite alarming considering the number of people on the forums using them.

I actually sold a Corsair HX 620W still sealed to Cyber-Mav last year, it took out 3 motherboards, he ended up going to OcUK to replace it at the counter.

They maybe good PSU's but the fact is they have only been out recently now after months or a year their failing - bad news as RMA is expensive.
 
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