Burning smell but computer works perfectly.

Solved
Lunarts Posted messages 4 Status Membre -  
 Lunarts -
Hello,

I currently have a problem with my desktop computer. It has served me faithfully for 5 years, but yesterday morning it suddenly started to smell like burnt plastic. I should specify that the computer is functioning perfectly as usual. However, the smell is gradually building up, and despite my exploration of the case, I cannot identify what is wrong. I've read on various other topics that the most likely reason is that a capacitor must have burned out. However, in examining my two graphics cards as well as the motherboard, I found none that appeared to be in poor condition. I tried removing one or the other of my graphics cards, but the smell persisted. Since it is building up slowly, it is not easy to discover the source.

What can I do to find out what is emitting this particularly toxic and harmful smell?

4 réponses

antipolis a Posted messages 17152 Status Membre 2 916
 
Hello.

this particularly toxic and harmful odor
Worrying, foul-smelling, unpleasant, irritating, I can agree.
But "particularly toxic and harmful," you don't know anything about that.

You haven't seen anything that is easily accessible.

To locate the source of this odor, it's better to stop the PC because the fans (central processor, graphics processor, power supply, case) spread it throughout the PC and outside of it.

You still have the power supply to inspect.
You'll need to take it out of the PC and open its case.
18
Lunarts Posted messages 4 Status Membre
 
Thank you for this prompt response :)

Yes, certainly, although I was taught that burnt plastic contains carbon monoxide which is indeed toxic. That said, I am not certain that this is the case right now. In any case, I am having a severe allergy attack to this smell.

Regarding the disassembly of the power supply, it seemed superfluous to me since in my Antec case it is separated from the rest of the computer and once it is turned off, it does not particularly smell burnt. Moreover, it works since it powers the entire PC without any issues when it is turned on.
0
tribun Posted messages 64900 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   12 683
 
Hello
Do you have a lot of dust in your PC and overheating?

--
Who loves instruction! find the knowledge that comes from reflection!
PS. Frequently create a restore point! it resolves a lot of issues.
0
Lunarts Posted messages 4 Status Membre
 
There was quite a bit of dust. For the overheating, I would need to run some tests; what would be the best way to determine that?
0
tribun Posted messages 64900 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   12 683
 
You can use this > HWMonitor.
You also need to clean your heatsink because dust can clog it and cause the processor to overheat.
To clean it, you should blow out the dust with a can of compressed air, and do not use a cloth or brush.
0
Lunarts Posted messages 4 Status Membre
 
Oh no, I used a brush. What's the problem with that?
0
tribun Posted messages 64900 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   12 683
 
With a pine, you can damage components with friction.
And instead of removing dust, it pushes it even further into the components, especially the ports, etc.
To clean the heatsink of your CPU cooler, you need to disassemble it and blow out the dust.
0
Lunarts
 
Well, I found the source of the problem, a fan disguised as a facade that decided to burn out... once removed, the smell has significantly faded. So it's resolved ;)
0
tribun Posted messages 64900 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   12 683
 
But you'll need to replace that fan if you want your PC to be well-ventilated.

--
Who loves instruction! Find the knowledge that comes from reflection!
PS. Create a restore point often! It solves quite a few problems.
0
Lunarts
 
Yes, of course! ;)
0