Burning smell?

[badkarma1399]

Hello, recently my computer died on me, and im pretty sure it was my mobo. Nothing at all would turn on, no fans or anything. Anyways, while testing it, i swapped PSUs and tried to turn it on with just the mobo connected to the case/psu to see if i would get a response. (with and without ram) While the computer was completly dead, i noticed a slight burning smell, like a resistor or something. I was wondering if it would be possible to damage a PSU this way, and if it would be safe to try the PSU on a new high end PC im building. The PSU did not start at all, the fans did not spin and it was completly dead. However, this was the 2nd PSU i tried with the same results, so im pretty sure the PSU was not DOA.

If the PSU was not on, is it possible any damage could have been done? Thanks in advance.

Specs of dead mobo:
MSI k8n Neo 2 plat.

PSU in question:
OCZ GameExtreme 600W.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Although rare, the MB *may* have a shorted capacitor.
Turn the motherboard over and look very carefully for burn marks around the area of FETs/VRM.
This discoloring could be light yellowing to light brown. http://www.badcaps.net/Ident/ and http://www.badcaps.net/faq/
I seriously doubt the board would have hurt the OCZ PSU as it has good short circuit protection built in.

If you register at badcaps..Please give the referral to Galvanized. It will be my 20th. TY.

NOTE: When caps start to fail they give off an ammonia smell and later it becomes a nasty 'dog fart' smell.

 

[badkarma1399]

Thanks for the reply. Ill definitly look the mobo over for any signs of damage. Im just glad that its unlikely to be the PSU, i need it for my new rig

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Look at it's back-side.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee

NOTE: When caps start to fail they give off an ammonia smell and later it becomes a nasty 'dog fart' smell.

I've never had the opportunity to smell a dog fart, but a lot of people talk about this and it's not pleasant. I don't know what I've done to caps but the ones I've torched actually smelled sweet when they went poof. I cannot imagine a dog fart smelling sweet.

 

[sjandrewbsme]

I can second the sweet smell of a capacitor burn. I think the electrolyte they use must be chemically similar to sugar or something as it smells a lot like burned sugar. I suppose this makes sense as sugar in water is a decent enough conductor.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: sjandrewbsme
I can second the sweet smell of a capacitor burn. I think the electrolyte they use must be chemically similar to sugar or something as it smells a lot like burned sugar. I suppose this makes sense as sugar in water is a decent enough conductor.

:music:

Mmmmm Frosted Lucky Caps
They're magically delicious!

:music:

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee

NOTE: When caps start to fail they give off an ammonia smell and later it becomes a nasty 'dog fart' smell.

I've never had the opportunity to smell a dog fart, but a lot of people talk about this and it's not pleasant. I don't know what I've done to caps but the ones I've torched actually smelled sweet when they went poof. I cannot imagine a dog fart smelling sweet.

From what you have posted and PMed me, you tend to blow things up in the early stages of service life.
The 'dog fart' smell happens as the caps dry-out and age a bit. It is rather foul, unpleasent and will appeal to the inner child of the immature male.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee

From what you have posted and PMed me, you tend to blow things up in the early stages of service life.
The 'dog fart' smell happens as the caps dry-out and age a bit. It is rather foul, unpleasent and will appeal to the inner child of the immature male.

Hey if the shoe fits, wear it! If not...

I don't know poor engineering? You know what? I absolutely abhor things that blow up when running in perfectly normal conditions and plumbing that leaks. Anything that leaks is bad.

That enermax got me in a lot of trouble. Never again. Funny how the very system that probably saved most of my parts shut it down - the same system that had to be adjusted to allow their trippy PFC to "ignite" according to the enermaxpm troll. :laugh:

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

I'm a crusty old guy (60 soon) and if we ever meet, I'll let you pull my finger. :laugh:

ENERMAXPM (all high case) troll was posting info from Enermax's FAQ section on their web page. Our fellow uber-knowledgable member Minerva had an Enermax unit flash-bang. No other hardware was damaged in the incident.

You are aboard a passenger carrying ship and their safety comes way before any of your concerns. This is a fact of life for you as long as you do what you do.

Next time, to hell with the noise a server grade PSU makes, buy a Zippy/Emacs , Silverstone Zeus/Etasis or PC P&C Turbo Cooled.

 

[Rubycon]

:Q

Most of the commercial stuff has Delta supplies. The big/important stuff is all Asea Brown Boveri.

Of course safety is paramount but you would think that power supply would be ok. And it seems that others are blowing up too. This is too important to be ignored.

I'm waiting for Seasonic's 1kW entry. By summer with AMD's R600 and quads becoming more popular a 1kW power supply isn't going to be an overkill luxury item - it's going to be a necessity. Next up on the list of things people are going to be posting about is their sockets blowing up. :laugh:

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

The Liberties are OFF the recommended list. For 1kW there are better units on offer than the Galaxy. If you got the money...PC P&C 1kW can not be beat ATM.
Honest bang for buck would be the Silverstone OP-1000.

I have it from a trusted source that Delta will enter the retail market this year, '07.

When you get ready, talk to the boys that test hard @ jonnyguru/forums.

Good night Dawn, you sweet smart blond.