Computer problems / fire

SentrySteveSentrySteve .txt Join Date: 2002-03-09 Member: 290Members, Constellation
edited September 2010 in Off-Topic
So I'm hoping someone can tell me what I did wrong and/or offer advice on how to fix this issue.

The Problem:

1) My computer un-powered itself while playing Starcraft 2. I tried to power back on and the nothing happened. The lights on the motherboard still lit up but it never started up.
2) I thought that my PSU unit (<a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004" target="_blank">this one</a>) might have died. I went to a electronics store and bought <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=corsair%20tx850" target="_blank">this PSU</a> as a replacement to test my theory.
3) After hooking up the new PSU, I started my computer. Thankfully I heard my hard drive and other components start up, however, less than a second after the <a href="http://motherboards-reviews.com/motherboards/ASRock/P55_Extreme/ASRock_P55_Extreme_top.jpg" target="_blank">north most silver thing above my processor with ASRock on it</a> started to have a orange/yellow glow underneath it and smoke appeared almost instantly. I turned off power.
4) I don't have enough balls to turn power on again, I hook up old computer, and turn to the internets for advice.

My Computer:

case: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811119106</a>
dvd drive: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827118030</a>
os: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16832116754</a>
cpu: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115215</a>
ram: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231193</a>
psu: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817139004</a>
hdd: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136073</a>
mobo: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157172" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813157172</a>

My setup:

Connected to my power outlet on my wall is one of those uninterrupted power supply /battery backup units. Going off memory I believe this supports up to 950 watts. Connected to this is my tower, two monitors, a 2.1 speaker system, and a printer.


At first I thought my PSU was dead, which it probably was, but now I'm second guessing myself and wondering if my new PSU, a 300 watt increase, was somehow too much power for my motherboard. Also, assuming my motherboard is fried what chance is there that it took other components with it? I am using the 2nd hard drive and video card from the fried computer in the computer I'm using now. Also, don't uninterrupted power supply/battery backup units provide a consistent flow of power to my computer's PSU? A surge shouldn't have happened.

Any words of advice, help, or wisdom?
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Comments

  • ZaggyZaggy NullPointerException The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-12-10 Member: 24214Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos, Subnautica Playtester
    Faulty motherboard, you should RMA it.
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  • spellman23spellman23 NS1 Theorycraft Expert Join Date: 2007-05-17 Member: 60920Members
    It sounds more like the mobo has fried itself somehow. Probably a short.

    However, with more power you might have been able to temporary power some of the stuff (yay capacitance), but not everything(?)

    There is always a chance it took everything out with it, but most cards and stuff have some internal surge protection. It's not a lot, but it just might save you.


    As far as battery backup units, as it gets older it starts to wear out, holding less and less charge. So, I find it unlikely a surge occurred (surge protection lasts almost forever) but a dip in power may have occurred. Still, my first guess is the mobo blew itself somehow. But then again, I could be totally wrong.
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  • A_Boojum_SnarkA_Boojum_Snark Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1799613:date=Sep 23 2010, 03:23 PM:name=SentrySteve)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SentrySteve @ Sep 23 2010, 03:23 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1799613"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->wondering if my new PSU, a 300 watt increase, was somehow too much power for my motherboard.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    It's only the maximum the PSU can do. You can't put out more wattage than things are drawing.
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  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    Your electronics glowed and smoked. I'd say it's fairly likely the electronics are now very dead.
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  • SentrySteveSentrySteve .txt Join Date: 2002-03-09 Member: 290Members, Constellation
    edited September 2010
    Yeah, I'm thinking you're all right. Probably the motherboard. The RMA process for ASRock looks to be horrible. I may go with that but I'm also considering buying a new one. If any of you know motherboards how do you think these compare?

    My old motherboard:
    <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157172" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813157172</a>

    Potential new motherboards:
    <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409&cm_re=gigabyte_motherboard_p55_atx-_-13-128-409-_-Product" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...8-409-_-Product</a>
    <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131400&cm_re=atx_p55-_-13-131-400-_-Product" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...1-400-_-Product</a>

    I know nothing about motherboards. Can anyone offer advice on what to look for or which one is better?
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  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    edited September 2010
    Those tend to be heat spreaders for El Cheapo capacitors. The fact that one started to glow is Very Badâ„¢. You'll either need to take it to a computer shop to get it repaired, buy a replacement, or (with the know-how) take off the heat spreader, assess the damage, unsolder the dead component, get a new matching component, solder the new one on, and pray real hard that the old one burning out didn't fry anything else or lift a pad.

    ASRock is (more than) kind of a bargain-bin name, by the way. I mean, they're no ECS, Foxconn or Jetway... but not what I'd choose for any rig I planned to use myself.
    All of my own builds use ASUS motherboards; one or two with MSI. Gigabyte is a halfway respectable name, but a tier down (IMO) from ASUS/MSI.
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  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    I offer you this advice: Google for reviews of motherboards you might buy. Sure, they'll usually be written from a "how good is this for hardcore overclocking" perspective, but there are still valuable insights to be gained.
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  • SpoogeSpooge Thunderbolt missile in your cheerios Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 67Members
    edited September 2010
    Your RAM is compatible with the ASUS board. Buy that.
    Or, if you're willing to spend a little more, you could be forward thinking (ie USB 3.0 and 6.0Gb SATA) and get this <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621" target="_blank">ASUS P7P55D-E Pro</a>.



    EDIT: Your - Yore - You're. I need coffee.
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  • JediYoshiJediYoshi The Cupcake Boss Join Date: 2002-05-27 Member: 674Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1799671:date=Sep 24 2010, 05:33 AM:name=Spooge)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Spooge @ Sep 24 2010, 05:33 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1799671"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Or, if you're willing to spend a little more, you could be forward thinking (ie USB 3.0 and 6.0Gb SATA) and get this <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621" target="_blank">ASUS P7P55D-E Pro</a>.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Good mobo line. I got the regular P7P55D, kinda wished I chipped in a little more for one with USB 3.0 ports.
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  • SentrySteveSentrySteve .txt Join Date: 2002-03-09 Member: 290Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1799671:date=Sep 24 2010, 08:33 AM:name=Spooge)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Spooge @ Sep 24 2010, 08:33 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1799671"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Your RAM is compatible with the ASUS board. Buy that.
    Or, if you're willing to spend a little more, you could be forward thinking (ie USB 3.0 and 6.0Gb SATA) and get this <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621" target="_blank">ASUS P7P55D-E Pro</a>.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Thanks man, good find. It's only small increase in price but it looks to be worth it.
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  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    <!--quoteo(post=1799672:date=Sep 24 2010, 01:02 PM:name=JediYoshi)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JediYoshi @ Sep 24 2010, 01:02 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1799672"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Good mobo line. I got the regular P7P55D, kinda wished I chipped in a little more for one with USB 3.0 ports.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Meh, I dunno. Between a current and a next pc, how many USB3.0 devices would you acquire? External HDD or SSD might be the only ones that benefit a small amount I assume.

    We need more stuff that actually will task this new 600Mbyte/s (probably more like 300Mbyte/s of constant throughput). I think for USB3.0 to become mainstream, the market has to catch up first. I'd love for my DSLR to achieve those speeds though <img src="http://members.home.nl/m.borgman/ns-forum/smileys/biggrin.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" /> but that would require a new DSLR that actually is able to achieve it...


    Also @ blown up motherboard, wtf man... That sounds dangerous what with the orange glow of hotness and all!
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  • SentrySteveSentrySteve .txt Join Date: 2002-03-09 Member: 290Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1799681:date=Sep 24 2010, 10:51 AM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Sep 24 2010, 10:51 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1799681"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Also @ blown up motherboard, wtf man... That sounds dangerous what with the orange glow of hotness and all!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Yeah, I think I got really lucky. I had the side of my computer off, the side that happened to be facing me, and the glow stopped when I turned off power. Had I had the side panel on my computer I think it would have been a full fledged fire.

    At either rate, I went with the ASUS P7P55D-E Pro that Spooge pointed out. Now I have to call Microsoft and try to get them to believe that my mobo started to glow and smoke and that I need another windows 7 key. I've never done that before so hopefully they're cool about it.
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  • JediYoshiJediYoshi The Cupcake Boss Join Date: 2002-05-27 Member: 674Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1799681:date=Sep 24 2010, 07:51 AM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Sep 24 2010, 07:51 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1799681"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Meh, I dunno. Between a current and a next pc, how many USB3.0 devices would you acquire? External HDD or SSD might be the only ones that benefit a small amount I assume.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Seeing as my last computer only had IDE, I'm likely going to follow the pattern and hold onto most of my parts for a good while :D The only specific instance that's bummed me out so far is looking at <a href="http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/" target="_blank">Blackmagic's Shuttle</a> which only supports a USB 3.0 connection. Getting a PCI USB 3.0 card seems like a bit of overkill.
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  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1799692:date=Sep 24 2010, 05:16 PM:name=SentrySteve)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SentrySteve @ Sep 24 2010, 05:16 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1799692"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Yeah, I think I got really lucky. I had the side of my computer off, the side that happened to be facing me, and the glow stopped when I turned off power. Had I had the side panel on my computer I think it would have been a full fledged fire.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    More likely minor to medium scorching. At worst, nothing that unplugging the computer and pouring a glass of water onto it wouldn't fix.
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  • CrispyCrispy Jaded GD Join Date: 2004-08-22 Member: 30793Members, Constellation
    Check TomsHardware for reviews on the motherboards. It's written in a way that you'll be able to understand, and if you don't, there's an introduction article/guide for putting together a PC DIY-style.
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  • DrfuzzyDrfuzzy FEW... MORE.... INCHES... Join Date: 2003-09-21 Member: 21094Members
    Damnit, you let the magic smoke out of your motherboard, only way to fix it is to put the magic smoke back in.
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  • spellman23spellman23 NS1 Theorycraft Expert Join Date: 2007-05-17 Member: 60920Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1799884:date=Sep 26 2010, 10:25 AM:name=Drfuzzy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Drfuzzy @ Sep 26 2010, 10:25 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1799884"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Damnit, you let the magic smoke out of your motherboard, only way to fix it is to put the magic smoke back in.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    +1
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