Windows 7: Installation Fried My CPU

I was running windows xp fine.
I attempted to install windows 7 from a CD.
During installation the computer had to reboot which was fine.
When it rebooted my monitor appears to have not turned on.
I could hear the hard drive still working so I didn't think anything was wrong.
Then the computer shut down which concerned me. I noticed a burning smell coming from my CPU.
I gave it a few minutes before attempting to turn on my computer.
I attempted to turn the computer on. It did not turn on. I saw a spark underneath the CPU fan.

Is my CPU now fried? Please help. What do I do?

What happens when you press the power button exactly?

Does the fan spin up? If not, it may be a bad PSU. Try another.

Did you hear any beeps? Look up the beep codes.

Did you open the case beforehand and change anything? What?

The case was open during the installation process.

Please help

Is the Power supply working?

Check all of your connections carefully.

I would pull the HS/ and inspect the CPU itself for any abnormal signs , the motherboard as well.
Double check RAM, and GPU to make sure its seated properly.
Double check all wiring connections from PSU to MOBO



The following Award BIOS beep code descriptions may help you identify possible problems.

1 short: System boots successfully
2 short: CMOS setting error
1 long, 1 short: Memory or motherboard error
1 long, 2 short: Monitor or graphics card error
1 long, 3 short: Keyboard error
1 long, 9 short: BIOS ROM error
Continuous long beeps: Graphics card not inserted properly
Continuous short beeps: Power error

Is the Power supply working?
I do not know to be honest. It appears no. Which is shocking as this is a brand new PSU CLICK HERE

I checked all the connections quite diligently before I started the computer and installed Windows XP first. Before reformatting and doing an install from Windows 7.

To confirm I have connected a 24 pin connector and a 4 pin connector to my mobo. Was there anything I missed?

There is one other cable that fits into sys fan but I did not connect it. Could this have been the problem? Is this the cable for the PSU fan? Could the PSU overheated from not having the fan cable plugged in? The PSU was only on for maximum three hours.

Check all of your connections carefully.

There's a fireman in here if you need him
I do not get the fireman joke, lol

What you think, fireman?[/QUOTE]

This post is longer then three characters.

There are no beeps. But thanks for the post that will be useful information in the future.

Could you please read my above post in terms of the connections from the PSU to the MOBO.

Once again the computer was working fine before installation.

The fan on the power supply itself should be running.
Is it?

As far as connections:
you should have the 24pin and a 4 (or8) Pin for the CPU to the MOBO, and the little CPU fan wire that connects to the MOBO.

It is quite possible the power supply went out, CPU Died, or both.
Although we could have another issue entirely.

couple Questions:
How does the CPU look? Any abnormal signs?
A burnt smell in the area still?
how about the board itself in that area?

Also, you should have a beep of some form. Even a short beep to confirm no issues.
It may be a great help to you to hook up the little speaker that came with your motherboard to help assist you narrow down the issue, if it isn't already. provided the MOBO is OK,
it will tell what is wrong through the series of beeps, or at least point you in the general direction to look,so that little speaker will help a lot.




At this point, I would disconnect everything that isnt necessary. Only 1 stick of RAM and all other things that aren't absolutley needed for basic operation. DVD Drives, Even the Mouse.

Unplug all power, and reset the CMOS.
Pull the little battery and wait 5-10 minutes.
put it back in and re-connect power

Try to boot again, and see what happens. if you can get to bios, reset to optimized default.

Would also be helpful for further troubleshooting in this case, if you have any spare PSU, (doesnt matter what size) that you know works, and a possible spare CPU you know is good.

Swear there was a fireman in here. I looked down at who was in the thread to see if you had more help coming, and there was some fireman460 or such. Sorry!

I'd post this in General to get max hits. They may move it to Hardware where it's slower but more specific.

I got a new power supply to test if it is the PSU or the mobo. But before I start it up I took a picture of my CPU and noticed the grey chalky texture, which can be scratched off. Is this normal?