Burning Smell in Computer, not working!

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a barbones kit from tiger direct and built it. When I tried to turn it on, nothing happened but I started smelling a burning smell. I turned the computer off and opened the case. I took out all the wires coming from the power supply. When I plugged it in the power to the computer, there was no burning smell. When I plugged in the main power to the motherboard and then plugged in the power to the computer, I started smelling a burning smell. So I assumed the problem is in either the motherboard or the power supply. Can anyone tell me how to fix this problem? I will be contact MSI Computers (Maker of the motherboard) later this week but if anyone could give me any suggestions, that would be great.

Thanks

 

Greetings, V1RU5, and welcome to MajorGeeks.

I think you've answered your own question - the problem is either your motherboard or power supply, or both.

Unfortunately, the power supply will not really do anything unless you load it, which is what happens when you connect it to the motherboard, drives, etc., which in turn makes troubleshooting a PSU difficult - kind of a Catch-22 situation.

You said you built the machine - you might try starting over, make sure the motherboard is not grounding to the case in any way. Take a good visual survey of the board, see if there are any obvious burn tracks, bulging or discolored capacitors, etc.

Did you have to install the CPU/heatsink? If so, reinstall, making sure you have an adequate thermal paste layer between the processor and the heatsink.

Does the machine start up? Fans running, any POST beeps? You might try starting the machine without any drives, RAM modules, USB or PCI devices installed, see if your symptoms change.

 

okay, I will take a look and get back to you. I did have to install CPU and the CPU fan but I installed them correctly and there was a silicon paste between them. The heatsink was already installed. When I started up the computer, nothing happened. No fans were running, no beeps or anything. All I got was a burning smell. I did try starting the machine with only the main power to the motherboard attached, and still I smelt burning Thanks for your help.

 

Try with the computer off putting your nose to holes in the back of the power supply--is the burning smell stronger there compared the random spots on the motherboard?

I've only had one power supply blow a capacitor but it was fairly easy to determine the burning smell was quite a bit stronger around the power supply than anywhere else in the case.

 

nvm i rebuilt the computer from scratch, no burning smell and it works perfectly fine thanks for all ur help!

 

You're welcome - glad you got it sorted, and thanks for the feedback. :major

(I'm curious - did you find the culprit?)