Something happened... but what?

[mattmag]

I was disconnecting a USB cable from my computer when it was on, and the front USB port fell inside the (crappy) case. This has happened before, but this time it was different: the computer shut off and I smelled burning electronics, but this might just have been burning dust, as I was moving out of my dirty dorm at the time.

It wouldn't turn back on, and not even the fans start up. I think I heard a static discharge from the power supply when I held the power button down for 4 seconds, but my mind might have been playing tricks on me.

I tried a different case, a different power cable, and a different power supply, and got nothing. My conclusion is that this is a motherboard problem, but before I spend $100 on a new one, I want a few more opinions.

Thanks in advance!

Update: I found a way of testing PSUs using a paperclip. My original Antec one is dead. My backup which came with the case works, but neither will turn on the computer. The backup turns on an old motherboard. So, it looks like both my PSU and my mobo are fried. I'll test my GPU tomorrow. Any tricks for testing my CPU and RAM when I don't have any spare mobos that can support them?

[NOT ADMIN :P]

I was disconnecting a USB cable from my computer when it was on, and the front USB port fell inside the (crappy) case. This has happened before, but this time it was different: the computer shut off and I smelled burning electronics, but this might just have been burning dust, as I was moving out of my dirty dorm at the time.

It wouldn't turn back on, and not even the fans start up. I think I heard a static discharge from the power supply when I held the power button down for 4 seconds, but my mind might have been playing tricks on me.

I tried a different case, a different power cable, and a different power supply, and got nothing. My conclusion is that this is a motherboard problem, but before I spend $100 on a new one, I want a few more opinions.

Thanks in advance!

Update: I found a way of testing PSUs using a paperclip. My original Antec one is dead. My backup which came with the case works, but neither will turn on the computer. The backup turns on an old motherboard. So, it looks like both my PSU and my mobo are fried. I'll test my GPU tomorrow. Any tricks for testing my CPU and RAM when I don't have any spare mobos that can support them?

sounds like something is fried from overheating due to dust on components

where you testing your power supply with conductive metals before your omputer stopped working?

[dahlarbear]

A troubleshooting page for this is:  No power or computer does not turn on.

I'm not aware of any tricks to test CPU or memory off the motherboard.

[mattmag]

Thanks. Looks like I will need to replace my PSU and my motherboard. Ugh.

I don't think this was dust buildup, because it happened right when that USB thing fell inside. I always wanted to replace that *censored* case, but never got around to it. Now it has ruined hundreds of dollars worth of relatively new parts.

[Kurtiskain]

Yes I know it sounds silly but though USB is only 5 Volts...incredibly small voltage... if the pins on the little PCB touched the bottom of the case and shorted...it can take the whole thing with it

Happened to me when i was still in the process of instaling it in my case and acidentally got the mobo plugs swiched so VSB +/- were the wrong way...worked untill I plugged in my USB flash drive and computer went BANG!(Motherboard and PSU) and never worked again (though the graphics card, RAM, CPU were safe) it also took my flash drive with it...R.I.P Sandisk Cruizer the 1st...haha


Kurtis