Comp trouble! HELP asap, desperately need help!

[Cyborg]

Hey guys, heres my situation:

I was using my computer, and it just shut off. I had smelt this burning coming from the comp. So first off I checked my cpu chip, but found nothing. Then I thought it might be the PSU (I did take it out completely and it smelt burnt), but when I turn my computer back on, all the fans work, I just do NOT get a live screen. If it was the PSU that burnt out, how the hell are the fans working? I then checked my video card. I can not find any burn marks either. It is entirely possible Im not seeing these burn marks. Assuming the burn marks are there and Im blind, what do you guys think the problem is? I have work to finish within the next couple days so Im in a huge rush to get this fixed. Please help you out asap if you can.
Thanks.

[Kolar]

Your main board is probably dead if your video card is working properly, look for burnt stuff around the chipset. You will need to replace the MOB, contact your retailer or the manufacturer, who ever you hold a warranty with if any. If you do I hope you haven't voided it by opening your case.

[Darkmoor]

Try another PSU if it's possible. You could also open it to check. Say goodbye to warranty though.

[winipcfg]

Try another PSU if it's possible. You could also open it to check. Say goodbye to warranty though.

That sucks.

[Hairygroin]

Eh...rip open the PSU (undo all the screws and remove the cover) and see if it is dead or not. A capacitor may have leaked or blown, or something to that effect.

Sounds likely that your PSU may be malfunctioning; sadly, I've seen dead PSUs destroy several computers. Take this as a lesson and don't buy a cheap one!!!

[Kolar]

Please do not open the power supply. There's a good chance that the motherboard is gone so if you want to test the board to see if it's working try another unit and video card outside of the case, or just get a professional or someone who knows what they're doing test it. Before all that check with your retailer/manufacturer to see if anything can be done about getting a new board if your warranty hasn't been voided.

[Hairygroin]

dude, I'm a tech...I've opened a zillion PSUs and they are easy. Just make sure (of course) that it is unplugged and removed from the case before you pop it open. Try to keep your hands away from the capacitors, you never know if they have a charge .

You should be fine, just look for anything blown/leaking or anything suspicious. Its easy to do, PSUs are cheap as hell anyway (considering that that was probably a cheap one), and it annihilates one potential problem.

Either way, it would suck to put another mobo in there and have the dud psu fry it as well. you never know! better to be safe than sorry.

Next step would be to try testing your components in a different PC to see if they are still working. If they are, you got off easy. I've seen whole systems fry because of faulty PSUs (hard drive, mobo, and all). If everything seems to be working, the next step would be to try a new (or another working) PSU. If that still doesn't work, the problem very likely lies within the motherboard.

Good luck!

[Kolar]

That's really crappy procedure, the power supply is nothing and isn't the problem here so it isn't worth spending the time on. Test the motherboard with another power supply and video if you have spare components, if not take it to a shop. Even if the power supply did cause this problem it isn't someone he can fix or the reason the board isn't booting, it isn't something I would recommend using after opening and I wouldn't myself, be exposed to anything inside. He already said it is giving enough power to the fans and the board, but it isn't booting.


If your warenty isn't of intrest or isn't an issue remove the mainboard, put it down on a desk or flat surface, basically anything flat and non-conductive. Connect the spare video and power supply, you don't need the HDD or anything else. Try booting it up like that (Tip: you can, if you know the Power SW prongs, use a peice of metal like a screwdriver to start the computer,- if you're wondering how to boot up without the power switch). If you can get it to boot then it's probably a problem with the video card, if not then i'm pretty sure the board is garbage.

[Mr. Peanuts]

you'll blow your head off if you touch the capacitor.

[winipcfg]

Capacitors are good for making large nailguns.

[Fallen Angel]

The capacitors in a PSU carry a big enough charge to give you a good zap, but they're not that outrageously dangerous. Still if you want to be as safe as possible, unplug the PSU and allow the charge in it's capacitors to disappate and use a grounding strap (always a good idea).

[Mr. Peanuts]

Ones in TVs and monitors are much worse.

[Hairygroin]

Ones in TVs and monitors are much worse.

Yea, touch one of those and you could wake up a few minutes later on the other side of the room .

[Volny]

And those (Thantal?) in mobile phones have got other bonus. Cca one from million explodes. They try to catch these in factories but still some get through the checks and its not much "" when it explodes near your ear. And they dont know why.