Booted computer and smelled something weird -- missing gold plate on PSU?

[ButterRum]

I parted my computer and put everything back together. Now it won't boot.

I really hope I did not destroy everything because when I booted it up, it started smelling. I don't know where the smell came from -- either the PSU, CPU, or GPU -- but I immediately turned it off. Tried booting with 1 stick of RAM, without HDD/disk drive/GPU.

The computer just turns on then turns off, and repeats the cycle.

Any ideas? I'm thinking I should use the warranty and try to get a replacement.

Could this be the reason? There is a missing gold plate on the 24-pin connector. I checked the stock images of the Corsair CX500 and noticed there was no missing gold plate.

I've taken apart and put back together this build several times, and I'm not sure what's going on.

 

[Ketchup]

Yes, use the warranty. The power supply is done. When you get the new one, may sure there isn't a short somewhere (motherboard not touching bottom/back of case, card reader not shorting things, etc).

 

[phasseshifter]

the mobo the smell may have been a result of the two particular pin/socket attempting to connect power as a result it may have been arcing this could have produced that smell u may have smelt..as far as replace ment if under warrenty then return it ...but make shure you check the mobo as the piece from the pwr supp connector could well be..still in the mobo pwr supp header

 

[ButterRum]

Thanks guys...I really hope this did not destroy every part connected. Do you think it did?

 

[phasseshifter]

it looks like to me that it was a positive pin the pin in question could you confirm the color of the wire going to this pin..omg..i just had a thought..and i hope you did not do this..did you by chance put the power connector onto the mobo in reverse ..like turned around 180 degrees..that would explain a lot..but generally the supply’s these days just will not power up at all if there is a short like positive to negative or a lead shorted to earth..any way the red is +5v heavy current runs on these if it is in fact a black wire going to the pin in question..it would less likely to stop the system from running as the negatives are usually all tied together on the rail...but either way the power supply is now faulty because you have a connector pin missing..return for replacement....and find that missing pin that come out of the connector..it may be lying on your mobo somewhere..this point is important.. and if it`s still in the header remove it fron the pin in question...

 

[Ketchup]

it looks like to me that it was a positive pin the pin in question could you confirm the color of the wire going to this pin..omg..i just had a thought..and i hope you did not do this..did you by chance put the power connector onto the mobo in reverse ..like turned around 180 degrees..that would explain a lot..but generally the supply’s these days just will not power up at all if there is a short like positive to negative or a lead shorted to earth..any way the red is +5v heavy current runs on these if it is in fact a black wire going to the pin in question..it would less likely to stop the system from running as the negatives are usually all tied together on the rail...

Look at the shape or the top row and bottom row. It would have been impossible for him to put it in upside down. That's why they are made that way.

 

[phasseshifter]

yes Mr K..you are correct but if you have seen what i have seen in this industry...mind boggles and shudders...!!!

 

[Ketchup]

yes Mr K..you are correct but if you have seen what i have seen in this industry...mind boggles and shudders...!!!

If that is the case, I don't want to know, lol.

 

[ButterRum]

it looks like to me that it was a positive pin the pin in question could you confirm the color of the wire going to this pin..omg..i just had a thought..and i hope you did not do this..did you by chance put the power connector onto the mobo in reverse ..like turned around 180 degrees..that would explain a lot..but generally the supply’s these days just will not power up at all if there is a short like positive to negative or a lead shorted to earth..any way the red is +5v heavy current runs on these if it is in fact a black wire going to the pin in question..it would less likely to stop the system from running as the negatives are usually all tied together on the rail...but either way the power supply is now faulty because you have a connector pin missing..return for replacement....and find that missing pin that come out of the connector..it may be lying on your mobo somewhere..this point is important.. and if it`s still in the header remove it fron the pin in question...

I have no idea where the gold plate went. I moved and put the PSU into my luggage, so I'm guessing it went missing there.

No, I don't believe I put the 24-pin connector in reverse because I matched the side lid so it would click into the motherboard, if that makes sense.

I'm confused why the computer would power on at all if the missing gold plate has something to do with it. I'm just worried I fried everything. I'm getting a new PSU tomorrow, so we'll see. If it will acts weird, my next guess would be the mobo. /o\

Reset the CMOS too but that didn't do anything.

 

[phasseshifter]

yes a new supply and start from there ....but may i stress this look at the pins on the power header on the board that little connector may be still sitting on the pin on the pwr header...and the possability of you removing the power connector and breaking the female pin in it`s self in the first place may full well be the reason it was not able to start up once you replaced the power connector and the left remains was of the pin was just close enough or sitting on the header pin to cause arcing and arcing causes ozone ....or a smell like burning yes...

 

[ButterRum]

Nope, the gold plate isn't there....

 

[phasseshifter]

ok well that is good may pay to take the component side of the case and remove all cables exterior..and give it a shake and u may hear it rattling around and if it is inside hope it will fall out..apart from that yes wait for new supply....there is another possibility i forgot actually did not cross my mind at the time have you pushed the female connector out of its socket ... the connector may be sticking out the rear of the 24 pin plug do u see it there..or has it totally broken it off....

 

[ButterRum]

I received the new PSU, and there is also a missing gold plate!!!!!!!!! So this is normal!!?!???

 

[ButterRum]

Tried new PSU....same symptoms. Going to have to get a new motherboard now.

 

[Bubbaleone]

Socket #20 is -5 VDC and optional on newer ATX-2 PSUs. It's for use with older AT class expansion cards and commonly ommited on many newer PSUs...it's an empty pin socket in other words.

 

[phasseshifter]

try this before getting a new mobo disconnect every thing except the video card remove what ever else is connected ..oh no diss but have u checked your screen for functionality ..besides that just run the mobo with ram and cpu and hsf assy of corse.... the vid card and a screen and a keyboard ..now does it boot up..???...just had another thought did you remove the cpu at all if so did you have trouble getting the heatsink fan assy back on the board you may have a bent pin on the cpu ..just thought i would ask...???

 

[phasseshifter]

could i ask to what status did you take the machine apart.. no diss did you remove the ram and the cpu..please elaborate...also i mean no diss but did you physically see them swap the supply... i am being thorough for a reason...and does your mobo have on-board video if so plug your screen in there with no video card in the machine now boot it up..you have not listed your hardware kinda makes it a bit of a guessing game for us,,,

 

[Ketchup]

Tried new PSU....same symptoms. Going to have to get a new motherboard now.

Hate to hear this. A good power supply can often stop something like this from getting further. Suggest looking at board for anything looking burnt. The recent suggestions have been good.

 

[ButterRum]

Does anyone see anything abnormal in these pictures?

I just noticed on the back of the MOBO (I took a close-up pic), there is a ribbon-like metal thing on it that looks bent. It smells like the PSU when I smell it. Also, the area near the 24-pin connector smells like the PSU. I don't know how to describe the smell, but if you smell a Corsair PSU, that's what it smells like.... I have 2 of the same PSU now and both of them smell the same.

It's at the bottom middle:

Same area...just different view. This time I'm looking at middle left:

Also, the thing powers on...and then the fan will spin, then stop, then spin, then stop, etc. When I plug in the HDMI to my monitor from the mobo, the monitor no longer says "NO HDMI" with or without the PSU on.

 

[ButterRum]

try this before getting a new mobo disconnect every thing except the video card remove what ever else is connected ..oh no diss but have u checked your screen for functionality ..besides that just run the mobo with ram and cpu and hsf assy of corse.... the vid card and a screen and a keyboard ..now does it boot up..???...just had another thought did you remove the cpu at all if so did you have trouble getting the heatsink fan assy back on the board you may have a bent pin on the cpu ..just thought i would ask...???

I have removed everything and even ran 1 stick of RAM and CPU only...still the same symptoms. Not even trying anything with my GPU.

Yes, I have checked the screen. When the HDMI is not connected to the mobo, the monitor says "No HDMI." When I plugin the HDMI to the mobo, the screen just stays black but I don't get a "No HDMI" warning.

could i ask to what status did you take the machine apart.. no diss did you remove the ram and the cpu..please elaborate...also i mean no diss but did you physically see them swap the supply... i am being thorough for a reason...and does your mobo have on-board video if so plug your screen in there with no video card in the machine now boot it up..you have not listed your hardware kinda makes it a bit of a guessing game for us,,,

I'm the one putting together the parts and taking them out, so, yes, I used the same PSU.

My mobo does have onboard video (an HDMI port), as described above.

Also, I have...
MSI H61M-E33/W8 LGA 1155 motherboard
i5 3470
Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB 1600mhz RAM
Club 3D R9 270
Corsair CX500 500 watt PSU

Socket #20 is -5 VDC and optional on newer ATX-2 PSUs. It's for use with older AT class expansion cards and commonly ommited on many newer PSUs...it's an empty pin socket in other words.

I wish I was told this before ordering a new PSU. But I still think something wonky could have happened to the old one because something started smoking when I first put everything together and tried powering up...

 

[phasseshifter]

not good news i am afraid you have scorched/burnt out a track on your mobu ..how you did it i will have to ponder for a while but i hope you have a spare mobo......that like copper bits hanging off the board are in fact a track of the mobo...new mobo from the pic..as i can tell could you just take a closer pic of that area..for closer inspection...pls..

 

[phasseshifter]

the moarall of the story..u live and learn..it is unfotuate though...if it works dont fix it..if its under warrenty...dont take it apart...wisdom from exp...quite often learnt harshly..i hope your cpu and ram are still good....also is the case scorched where the tracks had burnt...generally to do that to a motherboard takes a short circuit as to where i have no idea ..but i woild be checking components one by one to see if any other parts in your system are faulty..my guess how it occured..good question..it`s generally hard to get this stuff wrong as plugs and sockets are orientated..so to speak ..generally only fit in their correct place..maybe you put someting in the build in the incorrect way...do you know murphey`s law.. any way damage is done ..work at damage repair....

 

[Ketchup]

not good news i am afraid you have scorched/burnt out a track on your mobu ..how you did it i will have to ponder for a while but i hope you have a spare mobo......that like copper bits hanging off the board are in fact a track of the mobo...new mobo from the pic..as i can tell could you just take a closer pic of that area..for closer inspection...pls..

If you don't mind me asking, are these the light orange marks I am seeing on the back?

 

[Bubbaleone]

Re pic: "Same area...just different view. This time I'm looking at middle left:" looks like all the traces to the left of the bright spot are unhealthy and, if one looks closely, the faint "smoky" looking pattern on the fiberglass isn't normal either.

 

[ButterRum]

I wonder what the hell happened? I plugged everything in correctly....

I just really hope this didn't blow everything else that was connected.... (CPU + GPU especially).

Here is a closer image: