Computer blew up...but not sure what

[nitenichiryu1]

Hi everyone,

tonight while i was in the kitchen, i heard crackling and popping noises coming from my computer in my bedroom, and then the lights around the house flickered a little (even out in the living room and kitchen). When i came in to check on the computer it was turned off and there was a burnt plastic smell.

I looked for burnt capacitors and I didn't find any, but the smell seemed to come from the upward part of the case (antec p182). I tried turning on the computer again to see what would happen, but it wouldn't turn on.

Does anyone have any idea how to troubleshoot this? Is it my power supply for sure that blew up? or did it cause something to blow up? or something different altogether? Thanks for any and all help, everyone. I'll put my build below:

antec p182
q9400 @stock speeds
xigmatek sd1283
evga gtx260
antec trupower 850w
wd 1tb black
wd 320gb blue
4gb of corsair pc6400/4gb of gskill pc8000 (8gb total)

Again, thanks everyone.

 

[RebateMonger]

In my experience, most "crackling and popping" noises from PCs come from failed power supplies. You can check power supply voltages with a power supply tester (I recommend the digital ones) or with a voltmeter. Be advised that power supplies need a load on them to properly test the voltage output.

Unfortunately, the best way to test such failures is by the substitution of "known good" parts. But you don't want to hook an untested and possibly failed power supply up to a "good" motherboard, for fear of damaging the second motherboard.

 

[mpilchfamily]

You can try the paperclip trick. Disconnect the 24 pin power connector from the motherboard. Insert a metal paperclip into the connector where the green wire and one of the black wires are. This will turn the PSU on. If it doesn't come on then its dead. Next you'll defiantly want to get a replacement PSU and start checking the system. You have a pretty good PSU but there is always the chance the PSU damaged the system when it died. Typically when a PSU goes out with a bang like that, or in your case a crackle, it damages the system. So you'll want to start with the minimum setup and have a motherboard speaker connected if there isn't one already.

 

[Modelworks]

When that happens the very first thing you should do is unplug the device you suspect from the wall outlet. Doesn't matter if it is a pc or a stereo. If you think it shorted and you smell smoke unplug it. Trying to turn it back on can do more damage or even start a fire.

On a pc I completely disassemble the unit after smoke occurs. Go over each item with a bright light source and look for anything unusual. Remove motherboards from the case and check both the back and front, sometimes traces on the back of the board will burn. Sometimes damage is caused that still allows the product to work but you can see evidence where a trace was overheated and will fail in the future.

A smell of smoke from the supply doesn't mean it is bad. The fans in a PSU will blow the smoke from another device through it making it smell like smoke. For testing a pc supply I suspect I start by opening it and looking for damage. If there is none you can use a lightbulb, regular 120vac 60W/100W bulb on the +12V or +5V line for a load to safely test it without risking anything else.

 

[bruceb]

In the OPs case, I would think the power supply called it quits. He did say the house lights flickered at the same time. That indicates a very high current draw at the time of failure. Most likely shorted in the power supply. So will likely need a new power supply, maybe other parts as well. Sometimes, they take out the motherboard or video card when they fail.

 

[corkyg]

Concur with bruceb. The flickering lights could have also signaled a power surge or spike, and that could have blitzed the PSU.

Does OP use a surge protector or a UPS?

 

[jaqie]

bruceb and corkyg are 100% correct here, I would bet money.

I also agree, the OP should invest in a good surge supressor right now... even if they have one already. MOVs sometimes die over time and it's best to replace them every 4ish years just to be on the safe side.

 

[nitenichiryu1]

Thanks so much everyone for your help. I will definitely start right away on substituting a new power supply to start checking hardware. I really hope it didn't take anything else out=/.

I do have a surge protector, but I do not have a UPS. Thanks again, everyone. I really appreciate it. I will update once i know whats up, so maybe this thread could be of some help to others with the same power supply or same problem.

 

[nitenichiryu1]

Hello again everyone,

So I went and picked up a corsair tx650 PSU and installed it to my original setup and everything boots. It seemed like everything was fine at first, but after a few shut downs and reboots, everything seems to run slower and load slower. Everything from startup, to loading apps, games, etc.

Is it possible something is still damaged? And with the system being laggy/hangy, what other parts could be damaged? Thanks again for your help, everyone.

 

[ModestGamer]

bruceb and corkyg are 100% correct here, I would bet money.

I also agree, the OP should invest in a good surge supressor right now... even if they have one already. MOVs sometimes die over time and it's best to replace them every 4ish years just to be on the safe side.

Surge suppresors are not insurance for anything. If you want good insurance get a furman power conditioner.

 

[jaqie]

That can't do everything either.

When people ask for the best, I say get a high quality on-line or line interactive UPS, but most are not willing to spend $200-1000+ on protection.

Most people want something for $40 or less if they are willing to spend anything at all, key on "or less".

 

[ModestGamer]

That can't do everything either.

When people ask for the best, I say get a high quality on-line or line interactive UPS, but most are not willing to spend $200-1000+ on protection.

Most people want something for $40 or less if they are willing to spend anything at all, key on "or less".

a programmable furman will do everything but generate backup power. You can also set current limits on the high end models.

 

[jaqie]

...and again you don't mention cost.

 

[ModestGamer]

...and again you don't mention cost.

whats a nice system cost ?

this is a back up UPS to

http://www.furmansound.com/pdf/manuals/M1500-UPS-PFP_manual.pdf

sells around $700 and some change.

these are $400 and IIRC can have individual outlet amperage set for off points.

http://www.directproaudio.com/product.cfm?directid=57117

 

[nitenichiryu1]

I am currently looking into protection hardware, but does anyone have a clue about what could be hanging the system down?

Now that I have a new PSU installed, i thought that maybe it was just my imagination, but some things do seem slower than normal. What parts could be damaged that would slow everything down?

 

[ModestGamer]

I am currently looking into protection hardware, but does anyone have a clue about what could be hanging the system down?

Now that I have a new PSU installed, i thought that maybe it was just my imagination, but some things do seem slower than normal. What parts could be damaged that would slow everything down?

All sorts of things. Need some diagnostic software. email you MB manu and see if they have a BIOS or bootable utility set you can test with. My geuss would be ram and CPU would suffer first.

 

[jaqie]

sells around $700 and some change.
these are $400 and IIRC can have individual outlet amperage set for off points.

Meanwhile back down on earth, you can get a line-interactive UPS with 1000VA for $130.
http://www.refurbups.com/APC-IBM1000-Smart-UPS-IBM-1000

 

[jaqie]

All sorts of things. Need some diagnostic software. email you MB manu and see if they have a BIOS or bootable utility set you can test with. My geuss would be ram and CPU would suffer first.

What I would do first is boot a linux liveCD which allows you to switch to the primary console (screen 1? I know bsd better) and watch for console errors while playing around with the OS with things like web and file browsing.

 

[nitenichiryu1]

Hmm sounds like an interesting start. I'll take a look at some of these suggestions. Anyone else with any other advice?

Thanks again!

 

[jaqie]

Also, you should check the windows event log for warning signs of hardware problems...

and you're quite welcome (dont mean to sound like Im the only one helping, sorry if I do)

 

[nitenichiryu1]

Also, you should check the windows event log for warning signs of hardware problems...

and you're quite welcome (dont mean to sound like Im the only one helping, sorry if I do)

Will do!

 

[ModestGamer]

Meanwhile back down on earth, you can get a line-interactive UPS with 1000VA for $130.
http://www.refurbups.com/APC-IBM1000-Smart-UPS-IBM-1000

from APC???. Yeah I wouldn't plug a $5 tv into a APC product.

 

[ModestGamer]

What I would do first is boot a linux liveCD which allows you to switch to the primary console (screen 1? I know bsd better) and watch for console errors while playing around with the OS with things like web and file browsing.

this will diagnose the mother,ram,CPU board how ? I still say email the manufacturer. They have board test utilitys.

 

[jaqie]

A first step - while waiting for their response perhaps.

Low level errors from the OS can tell you a lot if you know what to look for. I'm guessing this means you don't...

Your opinions of APC are just fine, just as long as you realize that's not everyone's, and as long as you accept the independent reviews (which by and large state that yes there are better voltage regulation products but for the money the APC smartUPS protect incredibly well).

 

[ModestGamer]

A first step - while waiting for their response perhaps.

Low level errors from the OS can tell you a lot if you know what to look for. I'm guessing this means you don't...

Your opinions of APC are just fine, just as long as you realize that's not everyone's, and as long as you accept the independent reviews (which by and large state that yes there are better voltage regulation products but for the money the APC smartUPS protect incredibly well).

If you say so. Never mind my own first hand experience working stages and large media rooms. APC was never in the conversation due to fialure rates. Buy a lab scope. Find out for yourself. The power supplies they use are cheap. hence the price.