Fried Somthing?

[Twist86]

All right so I set up my new PC and I turn it on and played it for about 2 days.

I noticed my motherboard was oddly loose and I found a better "how to" to put install it (book that came with it wasnt in english)

After reinstalling and double checking everything I turned it and heard a crackle and smoke. I didn't wait for reset just killed the power immediately.

I checked all my components and I think it might be my PSU is there anyway to boot it up w/o plugging it into anything?

I don't over clock also.

Windows XP
7600GT 256mb GPU
2.3ghz X2 4400+ CPU
2gb G-Skill 6400 DDR2 Memory
VX450wat Corsair PSU
ECS A780GM-A Motherboard
2x 160gb IDE HD
2x SATA DVD / DVDRW Drives

Is there a way to safely test the PSU to see if it fried or am I looking at a dead motherboard here?
I am rather hesitant to plug it back in causing more damage. I triple checked the mother board and the "smell" comes from both PSU and CPU but the cpu in no way looks damaged or any blackish marks in the CPU area.

Any help would be great this is making me a bit worried.

I sadly have no other AM2 boards to test each piece out to see if anything is damaged I imagine it is...nothing smokes without there being damage.

Also not 100% sure on the color of the smoke but I could see it in a darkish room so I am imagining it was white/grey. I was more worried on if I destroyed 500 dollars of PC as I killed power.

 

[Twist86]

just a small update checked my GPU and Zalman GPU cooler and my CPU Zalman Cooler both work.

Can't test my chip due to only having 1 PC with a AM2 board.

 

[reddevil6]

how many roundoffs are u using to hold your MOBO in, i have heard of people having to many an the board shorts circuts

 

[Twist86]

I am guessing the brass things? 5 for the holes designated by the case.


I been going over my motherboard/cpu with a magnifying glass to find any kind of scorch marks and I see nothing on either side. I am getting to think its the PSU more and more or perhaps thats just hopefull thinking since I have a spare 430wat I can use till I get my 450 replaced.

 

[Twist86]

All right so I finally found a burn mark after about 6 more passes on the board.

A very small brown scuff on the left side of the mounting bracket for the cpu fan right next to the mounting screw. Not near any of the case bracket holes.

Just a thought would I damage anything hooking it back up to see if its ruined or is it 100% sure its destroyed?

 

[Twist86]

Well never mind I wont risk it...Tigerdirect is sending me a new one. After explaining the damage they are calling it a faulty board so I am getting a new one free of charge.