Buzzing Noise + Burning Smell?? HELP Please

17 years ago

I've got a problem with my PC - it won't turn on. Yesterday I noticed a buzzing noise & a burning smell coming from it. So I unplugged the computer (without powering it up or logging off) - the noise stopped and after awhile the burning smell went away. Today I plugged it back in and tried to turn it on but got no power - the power light wouldn't even come on and I noticed the buzzing sound again after a few minutes, also the "hot" smell. Have I fried my computer??

It's a MDG (Canadian co.) PC 2002 model.

Be kind please, I know very little about these things - computers.

June

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Comments (13)

owbist
17 years ago
June it is very difficult to guess at what component may have failed. Try taking off the left side and look in using a good light source. Look for burn marks on the motherboard (the big flat bit all other parts are connected to.

Then get your nose up close to where the power cord plugs into the back of the computer and see if you can isolate the smell to the power supply. With the smell and buzzing noise I would opt for the power supply failing but that is a guess of course.

Replacing the power supply is easy if we can determine that is in fact your problem.
maxter
17 years ago
It's the power supply.
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grandms
17 years ago
That would be my guess, also. The noise + the smell indicate an electrical problem. Just hope your MB is okay.
goldedger
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for your replies. Sounds like the consensus is a "bad" power supply. I did open up the cover and looked around, couldn't spot any burn marks - scary in there though with all the wires, boards & stuff. I'm thinking I'll just take it back to the mfg. and hopefully have them fix it. How expensive is that likely to be??

Grandms, is the MB where my info. is stored? If so I really really hope that it's okay 'cause I haven't done a backup lately and I'd hate to lose my pictures.

I'll let you know what the outcome is.

Thanks again (good thing my DH gave me a laptop for Christmas - too bad I don't have anything stored on it - mostly cause I don't know how or if I can transfer the files from my PC- maybe that's another post.

June
owbist
17 years ago
June I would suggest MDG might well catch you for a tidy sum to do the repair. I Googled your model number but never found anything, should we consider the 2002 as the year you bought it? If so the repair bill might cost more than the worth of the computer.

You can buy a nice power supply and install it yourself. Not sure where you live in Ontario but Canada Computers have an Antec and a Enermax power supply in their clearance section for under $50. Both are top names. NCIX of Vancouver have a Thermaltake for $46.65

Canada Computers have branches from Kingston to Waterloo but are not a very helpful bunch so you need to know what you want and expect little assistance - but the prices are good. NCIX are great, order before supper and it gets shipped that day and they have a good reputation
mes444
17 years ago
Putting in a power supply is very easy. All you do is unscrew the old one and put the new one close to it in the computer case. Before removing anything: Look at all the wires on the the old one and where each is plugged in on the motherboard and into each component. Then, BEFORE removing any plugs, start one at a time unplugging the old and plugging in the new ends. Just follow the old plugs like a bread crumb trail and when you unplug the last old and plug in the last new, you are done, with no mistakes. It's quite easy.
iowagirl2006
17 years ago
I will second mes444 power supply replacement instructions. Although it looks very intimidating - as long as you do one connection at a time - it is quite simple.

Just make sure you are unplugged.
maxter
17 years ago
If the computer successfully shut down, then I would say your MB is fine. Usually, when they both go bad it is due to a short in the MB which causes the power supply to fail.
goldedger
Original Author
17 years ago
Well you guys were ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!! Thank you.
It was the power supply - I (not being brave with wires & things) took it back to MDG - the guy there was very helpful, checked it out and even optimized my system - it runs much quicker now! Thankfully there was no problem with the motherboard and I didn't lose anything.

Owbist thanks for the research you did on my behalf - after you listed the prices for a power supply I called MDG to find out what they would charge for parts and labour - they said $90.00 - I figured that was pretty good - an additional 40 bucks for a pro like you guys to get it done. By the way I did buy the computer in 2002 (therefore the 2002 model) it's a Vision 1500, Intel Pentium 4.

It's working great - Thanks again, you guys are the best!!

June
grandms
17 years ago
Glad to hear that you're back up and running,and with your system running at its best, you should be able to enjoy for several more years. The price was not bad, either.
randy_ca
17 years ago
is the MB where my info. is stored
That would be the harddrive where all your info is stored.
owbist
17 years ago
June which store did you use? MDG had a terrible reputation a few years back that they have had a hard time shaking. Perhaps they have cleaned up their act. Certainly the franchise holders have a lot invested and need all the help they can get.

$90 is a fair price and you now have your computer back up and running, good show.
goldedger
Original Author
17 years ago
We bought it from the Etobicoke, Ont. store. Had the cooling fan replaced under warranty and haven't had any other problems with it till now. They were very good about replacing the power supply as well - did it while I waited - took about 1/2 hour to complete and check.

I guess as with almost everything - different places serve their customers differently - some better. I'm happy with this one.

Buzzing Noise + Burning Smell?? HELP Please

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Buzzing Noise + Burning Smell?? HELP Please

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