Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: notuslethe on June 12, 2009, 01:48:16 PM

Title: Weird Smell
Post by: notuslethe on June 12, 2009, 01:48:16 PM

Yesterday I dusted out my computer. I only used an old t-shirt and q-tips, no chemicals at all. I took off the fans (the one near the power source, and two others, but not the processor fan), cleaned them, and replaced them. The power source fan and one other fan blow out, one fan blows in.

All day I've been smelling something like burnt hair. When I try smelling around my computer, I can't smell it, but sitting at the desk I can. I'm not sure if I'm going crazy, or if it's something wrong with my computer.

Could my computer be making this smell, or am I crazy and it's just something else in the house?

I run SpeedFan, and it tells me nothing's wrong.

Title: Re: Weird Smell
Post by: DaveLembke on June 12, 2009, 03:11:47 PM

The smell could be anything electronic with resistors or other carbon and waffer based semi-conductor to smell like hair. If you smelt something fishy smelling thats usually electrolyte from capacitors, they often let you know to their failure though with a hissing or a loud pop or bang when they blow their tops. Have you smelt around other devices, ac adapters, battery backups, monitor etc?

Title: Re: Weird Smell
Post by: BC_Programmer on June 12, 2009, 08:32:55 PM

Also- just to double-check, make sure your hair isn't on fire.   :P

Title: Re: Weird Smell
Post by: Mulreay on June 12, 2009, 08:58:12 PM

See I was gonna say 'make sure there is no one behind you with a lighter' but thought it's non-constructive. 3hrs I've been thinking about that post.  Should go with instinct next time  8)

Title: Re: Weird Smell
Post by: Karnac on June 12, 2009, 09:25:57 PM

If it smells like toast, get to emergency, you're having a stroke.

Title: Re: Weird Smell
Post by: Mulreay on June 12, 2009, 09:33:58 PM

See I'm worried now. Are you feeling a slight dis-function to a side of your body?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpR5_LQCyzk

Stay with us please!!

Title: Re: Weird Smell
Post by: BC_Programmer on June 12, 2009, 09:35:04 PM

do strokes normally last 8 hours?

EDIT:

wait a sec, he never replied.

Title: Re: Weird Smell
Post by: Mulreay on June 12, 2009, 09:47:09 PM

Were all going straight to *censored* if he is!!

Title: Re: Weird Smell
Post by: BC_Programmer on June 12, 2009, 09:48:28 PM

Quote

All day I've been smelling something like burnt hair. When I try smelling around my computer, I can't smell it, but sitting at the desk I can. I'm not sure if I'm going crazy, or if it's something wrong with my computer.

burnt hair and burnt toast smell quite different.

Title: Re: Weird Smell
Post by: ImnoGuru on June 13, 2009, 04:34:33 AM

You don't own any pets notuslethe?
A little puppy/pussycat sitting just under the table maybe?

Title: Re: Weird Smell
Post by: patio on June 13, 2009, 08:36:38 AM

Use a can of compressed air to finish the cleaning.
NOTE: When doing the fan/heatsink areas use a QTip to hold the fan blades in place to prevent damaging them.

The initial cleaning probably lodged some dirt/hair close to a heat source which is what's causing the smell
Good Luck !