power supply? or somthing else?

[executor777]

ok so here is the deal. i have been having issues with my new graphics card for a month or so. i think it may be faulty, but the interesting issue is that when i tried to reinstall windows to try and fix the problem incase it was a driver issue. now the machine wont even start for a while, it takes at least 5 minutes to get a running start and then it wont even power up the hard drive.

after a few shots at this i noticed a burning smell (i'm sure you all know it) what could the issue be? please help! this is important!

 

[PC eye]

You could have a bad cap in the supply. You might also have a failing battery on the board itself if the burning smell was never present. Any burnt smell points at "something" cooking from an overheating problem like a bad video card for a start. But with the larger draw the new card may have on power something else like even a capacitor on the main board could be on the way out.

A good lighting situation and even a small flashlight and a pocket magnifying glass to look over the board itself for any bulged or leaking caps would be the first thing here. If nothing is found try running the old card after examing the new one look everywhere for any sign of something burned and/or discolored on board, vdeo card, connectors, supply, etc.. If the bios chipset is overheating that will cause an issue like this as well as cpu temps. A weak battery on the board will goof the programming on the chipset causing issues again without the order. If that card is bad it could be the main reason other things are starting to overheat from a shorted component there.