Loud Pop Followed By Smoke

[BTron]

Early in the day I placed a tack on top of my computer's power supply and when I turned it on to use it later, I hear a loud pop sound and the tack on my computer flew off into the air. The loud pop was then followed by my computer shutting off and the smell of smoke coming from my power supply. My computer turned back on, but i'm afraid if I turn it back on it might screw something up. Would the tack on top of my power supply cause this? If so, would my computer receive any substantial damage?

 

[Harvey]

A loud pop, with or without smoke, indicates that either a component has failed catastrophically, or two wires or parts with different voltages (+12 volts, + 5 volts, ground, etc.) shorted together.

If the tack didn't actually fall into the power supply or short one voltage to another, the tack probably had nothing to do with the pop and smoke.

If your computer stalled or just did not boot, you could be pretty sure the PSU had failed. However, if the system still turns on, it could have at least one voltage rail that is out of regulation and providing excess voltage, which could damage your machine. I recommend:

1. Open up the PSU, and look (and sniff) for obviously damaged parts and/or indication of burning, charred discoloration, etc. If you find any, either junk it, or test it, either yourself or by someone who knows how to do it and has the equipment to do it.

2. Test your system with another known good PSU to make sure everything other than the supply still works correctly. You don't have to mount the other PSU in the case to test it. You can do it by just placing it next to the open case and bringing the required cables over to the motherboard, drives, etc. This is not recommended for a permanent installation, but it's safe enough for a brief test as long as you make sure things can't fall into it or break any wires or connectors.

Good luck.