Motherboard up in flames - Advice please

Chris096

Chris096

Chris096

Associate
Joined
29 May 2017
Posts
15
Hi All,

Just after I had purchased a new SSD, and re-formatted and installed windows 10 onto the new hard drive, i had power issues. If you look on the image below, the fire broke out where the MemOK! & EPU Switch is... Before this happened, the computer would not respond to switching on. The green light at the bottom of the motherboard was on, showing a current of power, however that was about it, theres also normally a red light towards the top (thats on when everything is ok) and this would NOT light up. After leaving the computer off and disconnected from the mains for a few hours, I re-attempted to turn it on, this time it did turn on for enough time to display a windows 10 blue screen error stating something along the lines of CRITICAL ERROR, and boom, the smell and white flashes started coming out of my computer, as well as the smoke from the motherboard (which has marked the white chasis of my case, and appears to have come from the back of the motherboard, beneath the memok and epu switch. Im a student, and an amateur system builder, I know the majority of the system is pretty old but all fairness this system has run under 30 degrees celsius on optimal usage, near 40 degrees celsius on max gaming. Now, coming up to 4am in the morning, i attempted to switch on the computer again, and funnily enough it turned on? after a few seconds it would restart, and then remain on for awhile.. however whenever I tried to plug the monitor in to see what was going on, the computer system wouldnt turn on? After research, It appears to be the VRM that blew, but im no expert, how could this have been caused? is this a result from a faulty PSU?? Any help, and tips, id hope my CPU/RAM atleast works, how could I test all of my other components.. also when I turned the PC back on at 4am, I noticed the CPU cooler fan would not spin? all chasis fans worked fine.

Entire system is almost 6 years old, apart from the graphics card and psu.. My system specs:

Intel Core i5-2500k 3.3GHz
Asus P8P67 Intel P67 DDR3 motherboard B3 Revision
Corsair Veneance 8GB (2x4GB)
Akasa AK-CCX-4002HP Venom CPU Cooler
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming Edition 4096MB (2 YRS OLD)
Antec High Current Gamer M620W "80+ (2 YRS OLD & 5 YR Warranty)

https://www.asus.com/websites/global/products/Qx3PdnZI9Pq9BcIU/product_overview.jpg

** Do Not Hotlink Images **
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Plec, noted, wont switch it on again. I've been looking on the overclockers site, LGA1155 sockets are pretty outdated nowadays arent they? mobo/cpu bundles arent as cheap as they used to be (for my budget atleast). I've looked up the multimeter, I'd try to avoid it I guess, hopefully Antec offer me some support, but do you think this issue has arisen from the PSU? or a mobo thats just died of old age? Im just afraid of purchasing replacement parts for it to be blown up again.
 
Yeah I was having the same thoughts, been checking online and obviously prices have kept up to what they were six years ago when I purchased the mobo. Im going to try and look around, maybe a local shop is kind enough to test my PSU and CPU if possible, best case scenario I'll have to purchase a new motherboard & cpu, maybe update myself to a 1151 socket... PC gaming will have to be put on hold :(
 
They do, but unlucky for me I have just finished University in the UK, and returned home overseas! So no physical access to the plethora of tech they have :mad: Just looking into the AMD Ryzen, looks promising! I may just switch to AMD after so many years of Intel.
 
Plec said:
My basket at Overclockers UK:
Click to expand...

Thank you Plec! Thats a pretty good combo, especially for my budget, Hopefully i can reuse my 8GB ram that im currently using and maybe match it with another 8GB, but worst comes to worst (if they are dead, ill purchase the 16gb) Going to hopefully test out this PSU, and if all good ill go for the ryzen mobo/cpu!
 
Plec said:
That will test the stability/voltage on the rails - but won't test it under load which may be where the problem lies (if the PSU is at fault) - but it's safe test.

You will need to get rid of the Amazon link - it's against forum rules (Edit your post).


Unfortunately not - DDR4 is the standard now.

You won't be able to use your DDR3 memory in any future modern builds
Click to expand...

Whoops, sorry about that, link removed. I've also contacted the manufacturer of the PSU, as still has 3 years warranty, just to see what they say, but hopefully I can get it tested soon to really find out if its the cause of my late night hotbox of a room.
 
Plec said:
Don't worry easy mistake to make for new members.

It was an old motherboard - not that unusual for them to die at that age. But certainly worth checking the PSU - especially as it's still under warranty.

Your CPU/Memory may get ~£80 towards your build - and you don't have to get 16Gb straight away which saves you a further £55.

So you get your upgrade for appox £270 - depending brand/part choices etc...
Click to expand...

Yeah im going to try and sell off what I can, my RAM and CPU should not have been affected should they? I'll try and get an old mobo to test on anyway before I sell anything off, fingers crossed!
 
EsaT said:
What ever part died obviously burnt to open circuit state instead of shorting.
Maybe some solder joint turned bad overstressing component causing it to fail and burn or something like that.

Do you have camera capable to close up of that area?


That PSU is very good budget PSU with high quality capacitors so not first suspect.



Actually usefull PSU testers cost four/five digit figure.
Standard multimeter is lot better investment, because of lot better versatility.
Click to expand...
I will give it a shot, sorry to ask but im new, how could I then upload the image onto the post? The upload image button refers to a link, not a file on local pc?
 
Tealc said:
There are a few image hosting sites out there. Upload your image to that. When you do they'll give you an URL to link and maybe even the code to post it on the forum.

Without seeing the image or even looking at the affected zone on the motherboard I'd guess that a regulator has got a little too warm or a capacitor has blown, or both. Due to the location of the damage it is unlikely to be anything CPU related. Typically any sort of regulation for the CPU will be local to the CPU area, not up there on the corner.
Click to expand...

Okay, finally removed and cleaned all of my components (hoping to sell the RAM, CPU & CPU Fan to pay towards the replacements)
Flipped the motherboard over to finally see who the culprit is that ruined my night is..

https://ibb.co/j720Vv
https://ibb.co/iiwiiF
https://ibb.co/fhb5xa

Funnily enough, the damage as shown inthe above three links, is right beneath what seems to be the RAM (i had both sticks on two ram slots furthest away from CPU because of my enormous CPU cooler.. https://ibb.co/f3Jw3F

It seems to be those two parts that say "1R2" and its nearby capacitors. As you can see no damage on the top surface of the motherboard... is this actually the VRM that blew?? :confused:
 
EsaT said:
Forgot was that worst burned spot next to that screw hole in corner?
In that case one possibility might be that screw has been too tight eventually breaking PCB's layers and causing short.

Once when Jonnyguru had "mishaps" gallery there were few pics of motherboards which had burned seriously after too tight screw crushing PCB.
(as in literally hole burned to PCB)
Click to expand...

Hi EsaT! Good thought but i had a check on both sides of the motheboard and nearest screwhole is possibly about 5cm away from the initial point of "boom", I've uploaded links to images I took, sorry about the quality of pics!
 
ANDARIAL said:
Chris
yeah that is the same tester i have
ok for basic testing imo.will tell you if psu is dead without having tonuse the paperclip trick
Click to expand...
Is the paperclip trick any use? How does it work just by letting the fan spin? :o

I emailled antec about the PSU warranty and they sent me an RMA form which I sent back yesterday, havent heard anything since, they asked if the PSU had burnt or smelt, not sure if good or bad?
 
ANDARIAL said:
You short ot 2 pins on the mobo connection on the psu and if psu is ok the fan spins.google for correct pins
Click to expand...
Just tried it out on my Antec PSU and some rubbish one I had for backup, pin trick seemed to work, fan started to spin on both, so good news?! Must have just been my mobo!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom