SATA adapter caught fire (pics)

[komatta]

Hi AT,

I was on my computer last night when I noticed a weird smell. I looked over and saw smoke (more wisps than plumes) coming from my computer. Immediately turned it off -- note it did not turn off on its own. If it weren't for the smell/smoke I would have had no idea.

I have a Corsair TX750 PSU. Had it hooked up to an optical drive using a molex-to-SATA adapter (didn't need to, just out of convenience I suppose). It looks like that is what failed and lit/melted.

Is it likely my power supply is okay? How can I test it? I'm nervous to turn my system back on in case it could be damaged from the short and possibly fry other components (motherboard/cpu/ram). I am not experienced with this so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[PottedMeat]

that looks kind of like the cheap sata power connector got knocked out slightly, shorting the pins. if it didn't turn off on its own it was probably a small arc below the current limiting of the power supply.

if this were mine i'd strip out everything except mobo+ram+cpu+video and see if it boots. if it does i'd hook everything back up and use it.

also throw away that adapter

 

[C1]

If the PSU didnt automatically shut down because of the short & instead you manually shut the computer down then there's an excellent chance the PSU is okay. However, you need to test it, particularly the rail that the affected SATA is on.

The safest way would be to disconnect the PSU from all components then manually start it then check the voltages with a meter.

As for myself, Id make sure the damaged connector was checked to make sure pins didnt melt together (because of the plastic or otherwise) then hook a meter on to the supply lines and turn the computer on while watching that the meter needle immediately jumps to what it should (3.3/5/12 volts). (Probably start with the 12 volt source.)

 

[aigomorla]

that looks kind of like the cheap sata power connector got knocked out slightly, shorting the pins. if it didn't turn off on its own it was probably a small arc below the current limiting of the power supply.

if this were mine i'd strip out everything except mobo+ram+cpu+video and see if it boots. if it does i'd hook everything back up and use it.

also throw away that adapter

+1

Im also guessing the same thing.
A small arc started which melted the adapter.

and yes please throw out that adapter, its no longer useable, nor would u want to reuse it.