Problem with new System (What's that smell?!)

[GNUchica]

Hey guys - maybe I'm just being an idiot, but this is not the first computer I've built. I got a new Abit BG7 with a 1.6A... Got everything installed and pushed the power button. Everything sounded normal (I could hear the sound being initialized, or whatever happens with that), but no post (beep). What's worse, I could smell something burning. I turned off the box and opened it up and everything seems okay inside. The CPU isn't what smells and I'm not sure what is. Anyway, could this be a dead CPU? What do you think the problem is?

TIA,
GNU Chica

 

[Den]

Hard to know for sure. Could be PSU (power supply) MB or CPU. Do you have any other parts so you can mix and match?

 

[Den]

OH Yeah, have you tried it with just PSU, MB, CPU, RAM, and Video? Or even without video to see if you get any beeps?

 

[GNUchica]

Originally posted by: Den
OH Yeah, have you tried it with just PSU, MB, CPU, RAM, and Video? Or even without video to see if you get any beeps?

Yup, tried it just as you said - nothing. Unfortunately I've only got another AMD box so I can't test the CPU. I was reading on a web site that you can test CPUs by removing the fan, turning on the system and putting your finger on the processor. If it gets real hot you're good, if not you've got a dead CPU. I'm not sure how safe this is. Any thoughts?

 

[Buz2b]

If it gets real hot you're good, if not you've got a dead CPU. I'm not sure how safe this is. Any thoughts?

Uhh, not a good choice. Why not try removing the RAM and see if the board reacts. There are lots of ways to do things without leaving your CPU unprotected with no HS. Yes, I know an Intel CPU does the "power down" thing if it overheats, but do you really want to put that to a test with your $140+ CPU??? I'm sure others can suggest better ways to test things. Why not let them reply here first.

 

[GNUchica]

Doh! Looks like I had my memory in backwards! I think that may be what fried. I'm going to go to my local vendor and pick up some cheap stuff to test. Hopefully Newegg will be understanding. Thanks for the thoughts.

-GNUchica

 

[Dakishimete]

same thing happened to me, smell and the smoke. I am in the process of RMAing my bg7, I hope the next one doesn't break. I don't know what happened either, everything was set right. when I put in a new mobo, all my components worked.

 

[GNUchica]

Whelp, got some new memory and plugged it in. I do get long beeps now, but it does not post. I'm fairly certain it's the motherboard so I'm going to RMA it. If anyone knows specifically what the long beeps might mean I'd love to know. The owners manual does not say anything about "beep codes."

 

[Buz2b]

Award BIOS beep codes are very few. The long beeps are memory problem. Nothing else. Looks like, (if you changed the RAM) it is a RAM slot problem. Most likely that was the "smell" you detected; the slot burning out. You can look at the link.

 

[Slaughter]

How did you get the RAM in backwards? That had to of been one hard installation. :|

 

[GNUchica]

Didn't seem more difficult than normal to get the RAM in. I dunno, really.