Help! My computer just made a loud bang and won't turn on

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

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18 Mar 2010
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As described my computer has something seriously wrong with it.

I was web browsing when my computer just turned itself off. I turned it back on and there was a loud bang or pop and the computer won't turn on.

I can't see any smoke or detect any bad smell wheivh makes it had to locate where the problem was. I suspect however that it was in my psu.

I have opened up the case and it would seem that when power is turned on at plugpoing nothing gets through yo the computer e.g no lights/ fans turn on etc

this suggests to me it is the psu?

My computer spec is given in my sig below. It is approx 1 month old and has not been overclocked. I have been keeping a close eye on the temps, have 5 fans etc

I am at a bit of a loss as to what may have caused this?

Thanks
 
Sounds like the PSU has borked but when I had one go there was so much smoke there was even time to get a pic. No smell you say ? That's strange an all. :confused:
Have you got another PSU about you can try ?
Who built the system ? Are you confident the mobo is secured correctly & earthed as it should be ?
 
If its one month old a 750watt PSU and especially one of the quality of yours would EASILY have stood up to that.

Ill assume you know how to build a rig competently and had everything seated. Easy answer is to test out another PSU on your box and see if everything is fine.

Then your hoping that no other damage was done by the PSU going up.

I had a Hiper Type R give up the ghost a while back. There was no visible smoke, but after I opened the case you could smell it.
 
There was no obvious smell.

I should add I was using a belkin surgemaster power splitter. The other components plugged into that are working fine.

I am hoping it was just the fuse in the plug........
 
Unplug all the power connectors and then you can test the power supply by using a paperclip to bridge the green wire and the black one next to it.
 
What he means is by bridging the connection you can make the PSU turn on even though its not plugged in to the motherboard - it jumpstarts the PSU. You do that on the 24 pin. People mostly do this to turn on a pump for water cooling and testing it outside of the case

You could then use a multimeter on one of the molex adapters and see if its giving out any voltages (or even if the PSU turns on at all)
 
PSU would be the obvious suspect (had the same thing happen with an Antec a few years back). 1st time I had a loud bang but no smell (acutally continued working for a few weeks after), 2nd time louder bang and very obvious smell.

If you can beg/borrow/steal a replacement, give it a test.

It's also worth testing it with a different socket just to be sure.
 
EdwardTeach said:
Please could you elaborate on this -really not sure what you mean
Click to expand...

To do so as mentioned unplug everything, pull the power cable out of the back. Hold the 24pin ATX connector so the clip is facing away from you. On the top row with the clip, locate the green wire, then bridge it with any black wire (ground). I personally use a proper bit of wire rather than a paperclip, some paperclips are plastic coated which causes problems and it is safer, although electrical tape will take care of that. This should start the PSU once it is plugged back in without the need for a motherboard and power switch, you'll know if it is working as the PSU fan will spin.

atx.gif


That of course doesn't mean that the PSU isn't at fault, it is possible that the bang was a part of it going so it isn't providing the correct power to POST the motherboard/CPU/Ram etc. But it is well worth a try. If you have the money or a credit card I'd personally just buy a replacement, saves loosing your PC if it is the problem you and you need to RMA the unit.
 
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Yep PSU, had exactly the same thing happen.

Know this sounds stupid but have you installed all the stand offs behind the motherboard? It only takes a couple of stray solder tails to create a short circuit.
 
I would also check the caps on the motherboard if it was me. Its possible a few of those have just gone pop (as they don't usually smell when they go)
 
look at them with your eyeballs :D

They will be either swollen or burst and very obvious to spot.

86626d1225425462-blown-capacitor-caps.jpg


Above are the new types of caps

Blown+Caps_online2.jpg


Old types of caps
 
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