White Smoke from PC

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325i

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Hey guys, I recently posted about buying a new pc and asked for advice on all components. So eventually I ordered my items and they got delivered, put everything together and as soon as I switch it on white smoke billows out from the PC.

Was using a Thermaltake Mid Tower V2 with 450w PSU (came standard with the case)

Used the plug that came with PSU and Case, and unplugged that from main plug etc when smoke started coming from the case.

Everything was put in normally all cords connected properly, made sure of it, then plugged in ethernet, power cable and screen (not hdmi) and then flipped the switch on the back of the psu then poof :(

What could be the reason for this? And are my other parts fine? MB/RAM/CPU/HDD/DVD drive.

Thanks in advance :(
 
Do you have a spare psu to test your other components with?

Sounds like dud psu. Does it have a voltage selector on it by any chance (very rare)?
 
PS. I would never use the cables that come with most of these PSUs, they are normally pure trash.
Even the branded ones like Gigabyte often come with these "not so save" cables.

But your problem would most likely be that power supply that comes with that case, and this would be the second time I've seen someone having a problem with that particular PSU.

Can you maybe post screenshots/details of that PSU so that we can see what on earth they put in there. Ponder might be on to something.

Also from which retailer?
 
Yea does sound like a dud psu I think if it was another component that was faulty the pc would shut down due to POST not being successful. Do you get a series of beeps when you power on your machine? But like Ponder said try with another psu and see what happens keep your pc open so you can see inside if anything smokes
 
Use a wire to bridge the green and black pins on the 24-pin connector, plug it into the wall and flip on the switch. If its the PSU that is faulty, you'll see the smoke again. If it is white, it is most likely glue or plastic, a manufacturing fault.

Don't worry about getting shocked through that wire, there's no chance of it hurting you. Don't wear nylon jerseys though.
 
ponder said:
Do you have a spare psu to test your other components with?

Sounds like dud psu. Does it have a voltage selector on it by any chance (very rare)?
Click to expand...

Yes I do, the one in my old pc still works. Will try it out today.

Voltage selector? Is that a red switch on the back?

HideInLight said:
PS. I would never use the cables that come with most of these PSUs, they are normally pure trash.
Even the branded ones like Gigabyte often come with these "not so save" cables.

But your problem would most likely be that power supply that comes with that case, and this would be the second time I've seen someone having a problem with that particular PSU.

Can you maybe post screenshots/details of that PSU so that we can see what on earth they put in there. Ponder might be on to something.

Also from which retailer?
Click to expand...

Yes I will in a few, it was from takealot.

adam_g said:
Yea does sound like a dud psu I think if it was another component that was faulty the pc would shut down due to POST not being successful. Do you get a series of beeps when you power on your machine? But like Ponder said try with another psu and see what happens keep your pc open so you can see inside if anything smokes
Click to expand...

:( there weren't any beeps I could hear just smoke coming out when I switched the switch on. Haven't tried to switch it on again due to this oily substance coming from PSU, took out all the other components because of this

CataclysmZA said:
Use a wire to bridge the green and black pins on the 24-pin connector, plug it into the wall and flip on the switch. If its the PSU that is faulty, you'll see the smoke again. If it is white, it is most likely glue or plastic, a manufacturing fault.

Don't worry about getting shocked through that wire, there's no chance of it hurting you. Don't wear nylon jerseys though.
Click to expand...

I'm a bit worried to switch it on, as it spat out oil (few small drops on MB and some on side casing and was dripping from PSU)
 
Last edited:
325i said:
I'm a bit worried to switch it on, as it spat out oil (few small drops on MB and some on side casing and was dripping from PSU)
Click to expand...

Sounds like blown caps, I would remove it from the case and plug it in.

Contact the retailer, notify them so long.
 
ponder said:
Sounds like blown caps, I would remove it from the case and plug it in.

Contact the retailer, notify them so long.
Click to expand...

Will this have damaged components? Could it be a case of swap out psu?

Yeah I am going to notify them today.
 
325i said:
It has the numbers 115 on it. What does 115 mean?
Click to expand...

It's set for 115V AC input, it should have been on 230V AC input which is what comes out of our wall sockets, should have checked it & flipped it to 230V before turning it on.
 
ponder said:
It's set for 115V AC input, it should have been on 230V input, should have checked it & flipped it to 230V before turning it on.
Click to expand...

Ahhh dammit :( so what are my chances of getting it replaced by retailer as I did not know about this? Probably unlikely they would.

Will test out other components later to see if they work.
 
Ya if it was set to 115V that PSU is toast, hopefully didn't take anything else out on the way but I doubt it.

Wouldn't get too stroppy with refund though, only if the seller is feeling really generous will you get away with it.
 
ScottulusMaximus said:
Ya if it was set to 115V that PSU is toast, hopefully didn't take anything else out on the way but I doubt it.

Wouldn't get too stroppy with refund though, only if the seller is feeling really generous will you get away with it.
Click to expand...

I thought so after Ponder said should have checked :(

Electric said:
return merchandise authorization

Return process essentially.
Click to expand...

Aah ok thanks, but since the PSU and case came together would they ask for both or just the PSU?
 
325i said:
I thought so after Ponder said should have checked :(



Aah ok thanks, but since the PSU and case came together would they ask for both or just the PSU?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about that.
They may ask for both but I don't see why they would need both.
I had a cheap psu that came with my case, it wasn't bad but not what I would consider good.
When it blew I RMA'd via Matrix Warehouse.
I took the PSU out and returned it to the store like that.
They never asked for the case.
 
Electric said:
I'm not sure about that.
They may ask for both but I don't see why they would need both.
I had a cheap psu that came with my case, it wasn't bad but not what I would consider good.
When it blew I RMA'd via Matrix Warehouse.
I took the PSU out and returned it to the store like that.
They never asked for the case.
Click to expand...

Just phoned Takealot and they said someone would call and let me know if I need to send in both or just the PSU. They said it would go for testing at their warehouse?

They will probably pick up on the 115/230 switch thing so doubt I would get a refund :( could they replace it?

Thanks to all who have helped :) really appreciate it!
 
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