[SOLVED] Component burn out!

stezza170 · 10-02-2008, 05:16 AM

Hi, I have a HP Media Centre PC m7000. I've had it since 2005 and I'm not sure what is inside it but I've never upgraded it or anything, so it's all original. Just this morning, removed the cover to clean it out. Whilst doing this my son interfered with it and caused the screen to go black and the computer to lock up. The computer itself still seems to be functioning, although I had to switch it off at the wall without shutting it down in order to get it to start booting up again. I can hear it beep then the hard drive click, but no monitor. However, when I first restarted the computer a component on the graphics card caught fire and burned out. I've taken the card out and can clearly see where it's blown. I want to replace the card but I'm worried there me be a reason elsewhere on the pc it may have done this, and the burned out component could just be a symptom. Sorry I'm a bit vague on the spec of the pc and that this question is very long winded. Thanks for any help.

Stezza.

dai · 10-02-2008, 05:36 AM

turn them off before removing the cover
check out the power supply before putting in a new card
if you find that you have to replace it,don't replace with the same wattage upgrade it

stezza170 · 10-02-2008, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dai

turn them off before removing the cover
check out the power supply before putting in a new card
if you find that you have to replace it,don't replace with the same wattage upgrade it

Thanks for the reply. For fear of sounding dumb, how do I check the power supply? I do own a multimeter, would this be of any use? All the fans seem to be running and the pc is making the right noises as far as I can tell. I realise that this doesn't necessarily mean the power supply isn't faulted of course. I'm going to buy a replacement board, as I obviously am going to need a new one regardless, today during my work break. Is there anything else I should perhaps pick up while I'm there.

Thanks.

dai · 10-02-2008, 06:05 AM

a multi meter is by far the best option for checking
http://www.driverheaven.net/guides/testingPSU/

**magnethead** · 10-02-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stezza170

Hi, I have a HP Media Centre PC m7000. I've had it since 2005 and I'm not sure what is inside it but I've never upgraded it or anything, so it's all original. Just this morning, removed the cover to clean it out. Whilst doing this my son interfered with it and caused the screen to go black and the computer to lock up. The computer itself still seems to be functioning, although I had to switch it off at the wall without shutting it down in order to get it to start booting up again. I can hear it beep then the hard drive click, but no monitor. However, when I first restarted the computer a component on the graphics card caught fire and burned out. I've taken the card out and can clearly see where it's blown. I want to replace the card but I'm worried there me be a reason elsewhere on the pc it may have done this, and the burned out component could just be a symptom. Sorry I'm a bit vague on the spec of the pc and that this question is very long winded. Thanks for any help.

Stezza.

sounds like electrlyte from a capacitor going across probes and igniting (from experience). I've also caught a resistor on fire, but those arent really accessable on gfx cards. Not really a whole lot else that can ignite on a card.

stezza170 · 10-03-2008, 04:37 PM

Thanks for the help. I tested the power supply and all was well. So popped in the new card and hey presto... it works a fine. I'm so relieved. Thanks again for the advice.

Stezza.

dai · 10-03-2008, 11:45 PM

glad you have it sorted

10-02-2008, 05:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
stezza170 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3 OS: xp	[SOLVED] Component burn out! Hi, I have a HP Media Centre PC m7000. I've had it since 2005 and I'm not sure what is inside it but I've never upgraded it or anything, so it's all original. Just this morning, removed the cover to clean it out. Whilst doing this my son interfered with it and caused the screen to go black and the computer to lock up. The computer itself still seems to be functioning, although I had to switch it off at the wall without shutting it down in order to get it to start booting up again. I can hear it beep then the hard drive click, but no monitor. However, when I first restarted the computer a component on the graphics card caught fire and burned out. I've taken the card out and can clearly see where it's blown. I want to replace the card but I'm worried there me be a reason elsewhere on the pc it may have done this, and the burned out component could just be a symptom. Sorry I'm a bit vague on the spec of the pc and that this question is very long winded. Thanks for any help. Stezza.

10-02-2008, 05:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,746 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Component burn out! turn them off before removing the cover check out the power supply before putting in a new card if you find that you have to replace it,don't replace with the same wattage upgrade it __________________

10-02-2008, 06:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,746 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Component burn out! a multi meter is by far the best option for checking http://www.driverheaven.net/guides/testingPSU/ __________________

10-03-2008, 04:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
stezza170 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: Component burn out! Thanks for the help. I tested the power supply and all was well. So popped in the new card and hey presto... it works a fine. I'm so relieved. Thanks again for the advice. Stezza.

10-03-2008, 11:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,746 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Component burn out! glad you have it sorted __________________