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Is my computer on fire? (Need new power supply?)

SniperGuySniperGuy SniperGuyGamingRegistered User regular
edited October 2007 in Help / Advice Forum
So yesterday, I got the Neverwinter 2 expansion, along with portal. So I spent an unusual amount of time playing both of these games. After a while, I started to smell a burning kind of scent, rather unusual I thought. Just now it started to get worse. I can't really determine if it's my 2nd monitor, a CRT, or if it's my graphics card setting a bunch of dust on fire. Recommendations? I haven't gotten any slowdown at all in any of my games, everything seems to work fine. But it seems to only start the burny smell when I play for a while.

SniperGuy on

Posts

  • ElJeffeElJeffe Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited October 2007
    Clearly, your computer never learned to Stop, Drop, and Roll.

    ElJeffe on
    I submitted an entry to Lego Ideas, and if 10,000 people support me, it'll be turned into an actual Lego set!If you'd like to see and support my submission, follow this link.
  • SniperGuySniperGuy SniperGuyGaming Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Well basically, am I in any like, danger of my computer bursting into flames? Should I just get some compressed air? The fans are all spinning like they should be.

    SniperGuy on
  • ElJeffeElJeffe Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited October 2007
    If it only happens when you're using a very graphics card intensive app, it sounds like a video card thing. I would try to recreate it, sniff close to your video card and see if that's where the smell is coming from, and then not play NWN2 until you fix it, for starters.

    ElJeffe on
    I submitted an entry to Lego Ideas, and if 10,000 people support me, it'll be turned into an actual Lego set!If you'd like to see and support my submission, follow this link.
  • SniperGuySniperGuy SniperGuyGaming Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Further sniffing and blowing out dust reveals that the source of the smell appears to be coming from my power supply. I assume this is bad. Is it shorting out, or what?

    SniperGuy on
  • GorgeeenGorgeeen __BANNED USERS regular
    edited October 2007
    DON'T SNIFF dangerous unknown materials, christ what type of advice is that?

    Gorgeeen on
    No god damnit! The sheriff is a nig*Church Bells*r!!
    DarkPrimus wrote: »
    Pensies are "just kinda ugly" any way you slice it.

    Or don't slice it.
  • SniperGuySniperGuy SniperGuyGaming Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    It's not a dangerous unknown material, it's my computer. So I blew the dust out, and it still seems to be making that smell.

    Is this a DANGEROUS smell, or what?

    And since I probably need a new power supply, can someone recommend a 100$ or less power supply?

    SniperGuy on
  • brandotheninjamasterbrandotheninjamaster Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148027

    I don't know the specs on your computer, I am just going to assume that it is a store bought one, or at least one thats not that power hungry. This one seems pretty cheap. Especially for a 500 watt.

    brandotheninjamaster on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • SniperGuySniperGuy SniperGuyGaming Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    brandotheninjamaster wrote: »
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148027

    I don't know the specs on your computer, I am just going to assume that it is a store bought one, or at least one thats not that power hungry. This one seems pretty cheap. Especially for a 500 watt.

    x1800xt, 2 gigs of ram, audigy x-fi platinum. Not sure the mobo.

    SniperGuy on
  • brandotheninjamasterbrandotheninjamaster Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    i think 500 should be fine. but before you go out and buy a new PS, I would make sure that the smell is really coming from your PS and its not a burning smell from another component thats being pushed out by your PS fan.

    brandotheninjamaster on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • SniperGuySniperGuy SniperGuyGaming Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    brandotheninjamaster wrote: »
    i think 500 should be fine. but before you go out and buy a new PS, I would make sure that the smell is really coming from your PS and its not a burning smell from another component thats being pushed out by your PS fan.

    Took the case off, definitely the PS.

    SniperGuy on
  • ElJeffeElJeffe Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited October 2007
    $40 for a 500W is a pretty good deal, and they're really easy to swap out. Just make sure you keep track of where all the cables go. It's about a 20 minute repair.

    ElJeffe on
    I submitted an entry to Lego Ideas, and if 10,000 people support me, it'll be turned into an actual Lego set!If you'd like to see and support my submission, follow this link.
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