Burning PSU smell

[Newby]

Ok, for the last few days my computer has been emitting a smoky smell.

Today, I've narrowed it down to my power supply (where the power plug plugs into) unit, mainly because:

1. My computer doesn't smell outside of the fan on the PSU
2. My PSU smells really bad if I stick my nose next to it.
3. My computer is nice and cool, except for the PSU, which is burning.

Suggestions? It seems to work, except it's emitting smoke from teh fan!

[Eric]

Buy a new PSU.

[Newby]

Buy a new PSU.

Too simple. Anything more complex that may fix my current one?

[deadly7]

Spray it with water.

[Blaze]

Spray it with water.

No, stick a paperclip into the wall socket!

[deadly7]

Spray it with water.

No, stick a paperclip into the wall socket!

I stick things into wall sockets during 1st hour, I've done that before.

[Sidoh]

Have you tried blowing out the dust with an air compressor or something?  If the dust is burning, it could produce a pretty nasty smell.

[Newby]

Have you tried blowing out the dust with an air compressor or something?  If the dust is burning, it could produce a pretty nasty smell.

Never thought about doing that. I guess tomorrow I'll buy a compressed air can and shoot it out.

[deadly7]

Have you tried blowing out the dust with an air compressor or something?  If the dust is burning, it could produce a pretty nasty smell.

That's not it, because the dust on my computer parts has done that before and it doesn't stink, it just... drives my computer crazy.

But then again, it wasn't on my PSU.. just everything else.

[Newby]

Have you tried blowing out the dust with an air compressor or something?  If the dust is burning, it could produce a pretty nasty smell.

That's not it, because the dust on my computer parts has done that before and it doesn't stink, it just... drives my computer crazy.

Shh. Don't drop my hope.

[Sidoh]

That's not it, because the dust on my computer parts has done that before and it doesn't stink, it just... drives my computer crazy.

But then again, it wasn't on my PSU.. just everything else.

I was going to say... I've smelled some pretty funny things because of burning dust.

[Blaze]

<newby|WALL> HOLY SHIT IT IS ON FIRE
<Hitmen> owneed
<newby|WALL> afk
<iago> Where to next?
<Towelie|Carcass> ITS ON FIRE
<Towelie|Carcass> ITS ON FIRE
<Blaze|Maed> WTF!
<Towelie|Carcass> ROFL
<iago> haha
<Towelie|Carcass> ROFL
<Blaze|Maed> ROFL!
<Towelie|Carcass> LOLOL
<Hitmen> hahaha
<newby|WALL> I have to turn the box off
<newby|WALL> bye
<Towelie|Carcass> LOL
<Blaze|Maed> Bye
<Blaze|Maed> :-(

[Sidoh]

Unless it was combustable dust, you're fucked, Newby.

[Warrior]

ROFL!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA. owned^max (hah)

[Towelie]

Unless it was combustable dust, you're fucked, Newby.

Pretty much. Oh well. I'll blow some compressed air into it, and if all else fails, 5 year warranty for the win.

[Ergot]

I think this is a little late... but you could have put some liquid helium...

[Sidoh]

I think this is a little late... but you could have put some liquid helium...

Good luck getting that!  Helium boils at 4.2K.

[Eric]

<newby|WALL> HOLY SHIT IT IS ON FIRE
<Hitmen> owneed
<newby|WALL> afk
<iago> Where to next?
<Towelie|Carcass> ITS ON FIRE
<Towelie|Carcass> ITS ON FIRE
<Blaze|Maed> WTF!
<Towelie|Carcass> ROFL
<iago> haha
<Towelie|Carcass> ROFL
<Blaze|Maed> ROFL!
<Towelie|Carcass> LOLOL
<Hitmen> hahaha
<newby|WALL> I have to turn the box off
<newby|WALL> bye
<Towelie|Carcass> LOL
<Blaze|Maed> Bye
<Blaze|Maed> :-(

Buy a new PSU.

I win.  gg.

[Sidoh]

Hehehe, guess so

[iago]

<newby|WALL> HOLY SHIT IT IS ON FIRE
<Hitmen> owneed
<newby|WALL> afk
<iago> Where to next?
<Towelie|Carcass> ITS ON FIRE
<Towelie|Carcass> ITS ON FIRE
<Blaze|Maed> WTF!
<Towelie|Carcass> ROFL
<iago> haha
<Towelie|Carcass> ROFL
<Blaze|Maed> ROFL!
<Towelie|Carcass> LOLOL
<Hitmen> hahaha
<newby|WALL> I have to turn the box off
<newby|WALL> bye
<Towelie|Carcass> LOL
<Blaze|Maed> Bye
<Blaze|Maed> :-(

Buy a new PSU.

I win.  gg.

It's under warranty.  You lose.  gg!

[Newby]

Pretty awesome. I turned it back on (after blowing air out of it) and smoke++;

[Sidoh]

Pretty awesome. I turned it back on (after blowing air out of it) and smoke++;

ROFL

[Newby]

So I took the PSU apart and can't identify what was sparking. There's no dust though. Damnit.

[deadly7]

Told you it wasn't cause of dust.
I've had burning dust in my case before (processor got HOT, hadn't cleaned it out in a while) and it didn't smell as bad as newby described it.

[Newby]

Sent an e-mail to support. If all else fails, they live less than an hour north of me.

[Sidoh]

Told you it wasn't cause of dust.
I've had burning dust in my case before (processor got HOT, hadn't cleaned it out in a while) and it didn't smell as bad as newby described it.

It's still quite possible that burning dust can smell bad and produce smoke.  Trust me, I've seen it.

[Mythix]

Yea, I mean, I've seen a mac emit a bad smell like it was burning, but I let it go

[deadly7]

Told you it wasn't cause of dust.
I've had burning dust in my case before (processor got HOT, hadn't cleaned it out in a while) and it didn't smell as bad as newby described it.

It's still quite possible that burning dust can smell bad and produce smoke.  Trust me, I've seen it.

I'm not saying it isn't possible, I'm just saying that it probably wasn't it in this situation.

[Sidoh]

I'm not saying it isn't possible, I'm just saying that it probably wasn't it in this situation.

Neither did I.  None of us did.  I was simply offering a possible explanation.

[Armin]

Uhhh, I definately wouldn't turn my computer back on with the risk of the power supply burning up and destroy your computer... I'd get a new one ASAP.

[Newby]

Uhhh, I definately wouldn't turn my computer back on with the risk of the power supply burning up and destroy your computer... I'd get a new one ASAP.

That's the plan. In the meantime, I'll use this laptop that my brother owns.

Damn you IRS! Taking engorged from me.

[Sidoh]

Uhhh, I definately wouldn't turn my computer back on with the risk of the power supply burning up and destroy your computer... I'd get a new one ASAP.

I really doubt that would happen.  If the power supply is failing, it's probably due to a short circuit, which isn't going to allow power to go anywhere else.

[Armin]

What happens if the short circuit emitts sparks which can fry everything? How do you know it's probably due to a short circuit, and what if it's not? Is it really worth the risk of losing all of his hardware?

[Sidoh]

What happens if the short circuit emitts sparks which can fry everything? How do you know it's probably due to a short circuit, and what if it's not? Is it really worth the risk of losing all of his hardware?

Sparks aren't going to fry anything.  It's a really safe assumption that the power supply is shot because of a short circuit of some nature.  The only time I've ever seen an issue with a power supply extend to other hardware was the result of a power surge.

[Screenor]

[Armin]

What happens if the short circuit emitts sparks which can fry everything? How do you know it's probably due to a short circuit, and what if it's not? Is it really worth the risk of losing all of his hardware?

Sparks aren't going to fry anything.  It's a really safe assumption that the power supply is shot because of a short circuit of some nature.  The only time I've ever seen an issue with a power supply extend to other hardware was the result of a power surge.

Mehh, I still wouldn't risk it.

[Sidoh]

Mehh, I still wouldn't risk it.

Me neither, I'm just saying.

[Eric]

Uhhh, I definately wouldn't turn my computer back on with the risk of the power supply burning up and destroy your computer... I'd get a new one ASAP.

I really doubt that would happen.  If the power supply is failing, it's probably due to a short circuit, which isn't going to allow power to go anywhere else.

I've never looked too much into power supplies but wouldn't a failing supply that was still delivering power deliver dirty electricity thoughout the system leading to possible hardware failure and/or disk corruption?

[Sidoh]

I've never looked too much into power supplies but wouldn't a failing supply deliver dirty electricity thoughout the system leading to possible hardware failure and/or disk corruption?

Not if it can't deliver power at all.  All of the failed power supplies that I've seen (at least in this nature -- smoke, fire, sparks, etc) are bad because of a short circuit.  Power never leaves the PSU.

I'm sure other forms of malfunctioning PSU's do that sort of thing, but none that behave in the way Newby described.

[Eric]

I've never looked too much into power supplies but wouldn't a failing supply deliver dirty electricity thoughout the system leading to possible hardware failure and/or disk corruption?

All of the failed power supplies that I've seen (at least in this nature -- smoke, fire, sparks, etc) are bad because of a short circuit.

I'm sure other forms of malfunctioning PSU's do that sort of thing, but none that behave in the way Newby described.

ah. k.