Burning PSU smell

[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.