Fried RAM - What else could it affect?

[Silly Burrito]

Last night, I came home to find my computer running, but I couldn't get a video picture. As I wasn't feeling well, I shut it off. This morning, I rebooted it , and the POST code on the motherboard (Epox 8rDA) indicated a C1 problem...with the memory. I have a 512MB and a 256MB stick in there. Well, I pulled out the 512 and left the 256. The machine went from FF to C1 to FF, but I never got the telltale BEEP of the post. I pulled out the 256 and put in the 512. Once I rebooted, I quickly smelled something burning. I shut off the machine, took out the RAM, tried the other piece of RAM, got the same smell, and shut it down for good. When I opened the computer, it stinks. I pulled out the memory, and along the right side, there's a small black spot almost identical on both chips. I'm guessing the RAM is fried, and Crucial is sending new sticks. My question is, what else could that have affected? Is it possible that I'll need a new motherboard (it's been flaky lately), processor, anything? I'm guessing that my hard drive, DVD drive, video card are ok, but I'm not sure how far reaching the effects of bad RAM can be.

 

[Silly Burrito]

BTW, if you want to have a look at it, I've posted a pic at http://www.fordochebc.com/burntram.jpg . It's a bit hard to make out...don't know why the camera was so fuzzy but it's to the right.

 

[aGreenAgent]

I'd be worried about your power supply. Your ram probably didn't go bad, your PSU or motherboard probably did. Something else could easily get fried. What PSU do you have?

 

[Silly Burrito]

I had troubles with the power supply that came with the case, so I replaced it with an Antec.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Burned RAM is NOT good. Anything that could toast the ram could toast almost anything else.

I'd write off the mobo. PSU very likely.

CPU, drives, anything else could be damaged. You need to swap parts out one by one into a known good system. If you don't have a spare system then take it to a small Mom & Pop computer repair shop (NOT a large retail chain store) and have them look at it and tell you what's worth salvaging.

 

[aGreenAgent]

If you've got a voltmeter or multimeter, see what volts are really coming out of the power supply.

 

[Silly Burrito]

Don't have a multimeter, but I was planning to do what Flying Penguin suggested. I'm going to see if I can buy the same motherboard, add the same parts back slowly and see how it goes.