Blow Out

Friend asked me to look at com that would not start so when i looked inside I found that the number 1 pin had a bad black mark on the multi block. Had to prise block off with a screwdriver where it had welded itself to mobo connector. Any ideas geeks what could have caused this. ???

 

Bump...... Could this have been the result of a power surge as he was/is not using a power surge protector.???

 

Are you talking about the power input connector to the MB? There is quite a bit of current in the PSU, if he plugged a card in live or maybe had a USB short out. What kind of board was this? (AT or ATX)

 

The mobo is a XFX N24 and PSU is 400watt. I have just phoned him and he said no spilt coffe or anything the like, no surge as far as he knows. The com has very light usage just a bit of surfing and work mainly. PCI cards consist of small Graphics and sound, USB, Modem, so the chances of an overload is just not there. It just refused to boot one day when he switched on. Its no big shakes but I would be interested to know what could of caused it, Dust maybe??/ Thanx for answer Bill.

 

Something that just occured to me, a power supply cap could have blown, and shorted out a power supply. Not good news if so, look for leakage or swelling on the big caps scattered across the MB. The really bad news is if the pin is fried on the PSU then he'll probably have to replace it too.

I've had capacitors blow out on power supplies for other electronics (not computers) and go up like a match head.

 

Have examined all caps including the one quite close to the burn mark but all seem OK, Yes its a replacement mobo and PSU as the multi on mobo and at end of PSU have burnt completly out.. Whatever it was reamins another of lifes little mysteries.. Thanx for your interest Bill