Help! Flash, Spark, and a Fizzle!?

awppsu

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May 29, 2011
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Ok I am currently building a computer. I have pretty much everything in the case right now, have the motherboard and power supply properly connected. I had turned on the computer atleast 4 different times to test components and POST. I hook up my Harddrive and turn on the power, thats when I hear a fizzle, and see a flash near the powersupply.

Computer continues to run but I quickly turn it off. In the area of the flash was three things. My power supply, my GTX 560 Ti, and the HD Audio connectors for the front panel to the motherboard. I removed both the connectos and graphics card and see no visible damage/marks.

Can anyone tell me what the hell just happened and what should I do next? I haven't touched the comp since.
 

awppsu

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May 29, 2011
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Update:

I took out the GFX card and plugged it into another computer, works fine.

After making sure all the power connectors were indeed connected, I booted up the computer a second time. Another flash, this time though with no Graphics card I was able to see directly where it came from. Right above the USB Front Header connectors, and below the PCI Express slot that I had my GPU installed in.

Computer continues to run fine, all fans spinning, goes to POST.

At POST I see one odd thing, it says I only have 3838 MB of ram when I have 4gb installed.

Also it says nothing about my HDD ( Is it suppose to? )

My PSU is a Corsair 650W and my Motherboard is an Asrock Z68 Extreme4

MORE UPDATES:

Just realized I had the Front USB Connectors plugged into the IEEE Connectors.. so I wonder if I fried the IEEE or the USB, or both...

Does anyone know if I caused signifcant damage to the MOBO?

Put the USB connectors in the right spot, booted up, no flash. POSTs fine...
 
Last edited:

denis280

Diamond Member
Jan 16, 2011
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if you dint fry up anything your lucky. when you build a pc always take your time and double check everyting.
 

awppsu

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May 29, 2011
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From what I can tell everything is perfectly fine. Went on to install windows. The front USBs work fine. Had to stop though cause the Windows I had was an upgrade and not a full..

I guess if I ever get a FireWire port I can test to see if the IEE Connector is fried.. but it all seems to be going well. Very scary tho.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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Firewire ports carry 9 vdc. USB has 5 vdc. Something got overloaded and possibly fried. Losing the 1394 port is no big deal. Not many things use it any more.
 

awppsu

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May 29, 2011
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Is there any chance though that it could have cause other damage to parts of the MOBO?
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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Go ahead and install Windows. At this point you probably have dodged a bullet.
 

awppsu

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May 29, 2011
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Will do. Should be getting the full version tomorrow. I'll update if anything blows up.
 

awppsu

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May 29, 2011
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Update: It looks to be running perfectly fine. Went on to install Starcraft 2 to test it out. Running on the Ultimate setting there was no problems. It seems I did indeed dodge a bullet. Will be MUCH more careful on my next build.