MSI P35 Neo2-FR Caught Fire!

[StepUp]

:frown:

Got my mobo today.

I don't have all the parts yet (no cpu, or video card), and knowing what little timeframe I had for mobo returns, I decided to make sure it wasn't DOA.

So I setup my CM690, and connected my Thermaltake 500W Power Supply and plugged in a stick of Crucial Ballistix 1gb Memory Module.

Motherboard fired up just fine.

I decided to test all sticks of mobo, in various numbers (I have 4x1gb) to make sure all of the ram was good.

Filled all 4 dimms. Tapped power button, and mobo kinda cut on and off real fast, less than 1/2 a second. I thought maybe I didn't hit the power button in all the way on the case so I hit it again. Loud POP and one of the transistors above the capacitors above the CPU was ablaze. Immediately turned off Power Supply and blew out flame.

Waited about 30 minutes, took all the ram out, and decided to test Power Supply again (what worse could I do to mobo). PS kicked on, mobo made a nasty sound, and then died. Power Supply chugged along just fine.

So I setup an RAN through ClubIT , and hope they'll accept it, but now I'm worried that it might not be the mobo, and rather one of the sticks of memory that might have thrown to many volts or something to the mobo. Having no other DDR-2 mobo around, I'll have to wait and see.

So, does anyone have any idea what would have caused it to catch fire in that particular area? I'd take a picture, but I already boxed it up.

Thanks for your help.

Edit: This picture shows which part caught on fire. I've been building computers for about 8 years, but I do not know the name of this piece. If anyone has any idea what might have gone wrong, feel free to chime in.

 

[zero2dash]

Are you even supposed to power on a motherboard without a cpu? I didn't think you could but then again I've never tried.

 

[Cheex]

I don't think you should either. A friend of mine did that and I think that is what killed his $250 MSI P6N Diamond.

It would be nice if someone could verify the validity of this claim though.

 

[Old Hippie]

Originally posted by: zero2dash
Are you even supposed to power on a motherboard without a cpu? I didn't think you could but then again I've never tried.

Never really thought about it, but after reading this, I'll never try!

 

[StepUp]

Well thanks guys, that just confirms that I am an idiot, and that it was my fault. Live and learn.

 

[zero2dash]

Don't feel bad man, I thought about doing the same thing recently...
Just got my IP35-E Monday and my other 2x1 Ballistix Tracer kit Tuesday and I wanted to test my board and ram out but I don't have my cpu yet. I thought about trying it without the cpu but I was going to give my buddy a call and ask if I can do that or not. Thankfully (after reading your post) I didn't do it, but eh - again, I nearly did the same thing myself so don't feel too stupid. *holds hand up*

Again, I didn't think you could do it but I've never read one way or the other so I started at least 'wondering'.

 

[Old Hippie]

Originally posted by: StepUp
Well thanks guys, that just confirms that I am an idiot, and that it was my fault. Live and learn.

Naaa. I've never seen, heard, read, dreamt, or had a vision, that not installing a processor would have a detrimental effect on the MB. I had assumed, it would just have given a little "WTF" beep.

Look at it this way.....you had a bad board, and if you had installed the CPU, that woulda been the piece on fire!

Feel better?
Good! Let's have a :beer:!

 

[AmberClad]

How odd. Like some of you, I just assumed that trying to power on a motherboard without a CPU simply results in beeping.

Award BIOS Beep Codes

Repeating High/Low
CPU
Either the CPU is not seated properly or the CPU is damaged. May also be due to excess heat. Check the CPU fan or BIOS settings for proper fan speed.

Why bother having that particular beep code at all if motherboards blow up before it ever gets to the BIOS?