computer quits with a bang

Hello,

My neighbor came to me with the story that her pc quit while working with windows xp.
I don't know the exact details but she got some kind of warning screen "do you want to go on or not?" or something like that, she clicked yes, and with a loud bang her monitor went blank.
The bang came from the computer.

I checked the components and power supply inside but nothing seems to be black or burnt, no visual signs of short circuit or other malfunction.

Wat can this be?
I can replace the power supply but if this is some kind of software piloted thing than that will not help I think.
The option "buy another computer" is a no go if not 100% necessary.

PC: Compaq D51s (+- 6-7 years old)
CPU: P4 2,4 GHz
mem: 256 MB
chipset Mobo: Intel 854G
HD; Barracuda, ATA, 40GB
Power supply: 175 watt.
Soft: W XP pro.

 

I would suspect the power supply, but check the motherboard for damage to the capacitors.

Please be prepared for the worst.

 

Just a small caveat to Burrells post the capacitors should not be swollen also it would be advisable to use a multimeter on the PSU, here is a helpful guide.

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1056686.html

 

ok,

Thanks for your comments.
I'm dealing with an AT connector.

I did two tests:
(For safety I disconnected all drives and the memory)

Test 1:
I connected both mobo connectors to the motherboard and connected the main power supply: when switching on the pc nothing happens, not even a fan starts to turn.

test 2:
As stated in the article, I should get a reading on the multimeter after connecting only main power when I measure the two AT mobo connectors without connecting them to the motherboard.
On not one of the pins I got a serious reading, all far below 0 volts.
I tested them using one of the black wires as ground.

Can I conclude that the power supply is deceased?

I could not find any black component on my mobo or in my power supply, as mentioned.

More in general: How big is the risk of destroying another power supply?
Was the trigger a software thing or could this only have happened because the power supply had has it's best days in the first place?

 

It sounds as if the PSU has passed it's sell by date.
I suggest you try another and if it is damage to the Mobo (unlikely) you will not make it worse.

 

ok, thanks you guys.