pc down, any clues?

[Pedz]

Hey guys, just tried to clean my pc and then when I tried to turn it back on, I smelt it... then it refused to start.

I have deduced that the graphics cards are fine by removing them and tried to turn the pc back on and failed still. It basically gets to the point where the fans have ramped u and then restarts.

Is there any way way of figuring out what is wrong in terms of either cpu motherboard or ram?

Cheers for any help

Specs can be found here:
Operating System Windows 7
Motherboard MSI P67GD65
Processor i7-2600kMemory8GB G-SKILL 1600mhz
Video Card(s)SLI: 570GTX GLH edition 800/1600mhz
570GTX GLH edition 800/1600mhz
Sound CardN/A
Hard Drive(s) 2x WD caviar black 500GB RAID 0
Optical Drive(s)N/A
Power Supply 1200W Corsair Gold
CaseNZXT Phantom

[Psyrus]

Can you describe the exact 'cleaning' steps you took? I'm guessing something has been shorted out due to static electricity discharge or accidental mishandling of sensitive components.

Easiest way to test is to throw your components (one by one) into a friend's setup*

*I take no responsibility for what damage that may cause to your friend's system.

[Pedz]

Thanks for the advice , just took it all apart and found that the back had a melted and buckled wire, so defo motherboard... Time for a new one :/. But thanks again

[Daniel]

Get an ASUS (or GIGABYTE ? ) MoBo... am really happy with my ASUS P8P67... (sandy bridge gen.)

Btw, GLH/Goes Like Hell, GTX 570 from Gainward? I got a Gainward 570 Phantom...

[Vonzip]

Can I add a little question, as someone who recently just built a new PC whats the best or at least safest way to clean out a PC?

[IINoddyII]

I've always used my air compressor / gun.

[Microwaife]

Be sure to be grounded before doing it and wash your hands!

[PLODDITHANLEY]

If using compressed air line you want it dry through a decanter first, or a tin keep it upright or you spray moisture everywhere.

[Pedz]

Just an update, got a MSI z77 motherboard to replace it, works fine again One ram stick is also blown, so that must have caused it, so running on half ram until I can afford some more.. , although it's not actually running too slowly, so may leave it.

Also in terms of cleaning, just make sure you put everything back securely and properly...

[Daniel]

Cmon, RAM costs 10-20 euros...

[Pedz]

Hahaaaa, that is a fair point , shall see in a few days or so, and in reply to your further comment, yess the Gainward 570's They're beastly I must say, but one of them gets quite warm (the one stuck in the middle of the CPU and the other GPU does not get much airflow..), so can be a bit noisy.

[Daniel]

Omg I LOVE those 3 vents in my 570 Phantom...
Thinking of overclocking soon, since I get ~ 50 fps in BF3 (playing with mates ofc. ) and wanna get hit the 60 and also in PS2 (Planetside 2) wanna get moar than 40 fps...

Thought of SLI first too ofc. especially since I could get another 570 Phantom cheaper since it's a little "old" now already, BUT, look at my energy bill... o_OOO xD they are real power eaters, can take up to 300 W or so, huh?? :/ meh

[Pedz]

Hahaaaa, they do gobble up the power a bit... Got a power reader in our house that estimates cost per hour, as soon as I crank up the PC it rises by about 7-9p/hr , Just ordered myself some new RAM another 8 GB so I can use it with my remaining 4GB stick (only 1 was shorted), so I'll count this as a semi-upgrade (Silver linings?).

[Daniel]

So 12GB now?
"Silver linings" ? What?

[Pedz]

Silver lining, a paraphrase of an old saying " Every cloud has a silver lining", basically making the best of a bad situation . Should be tomorrow , shall let you know what I get in terms of BF3 FPS when I install it, see if it influences your SLI decision (although honestly, I'd say I may have wasted my money on it back then, not realllly necessary, probs best to just upgrade GPU as they come along, not really decided myself..)