Did I just fry my motherboard?

[EvolutionZero]

So last night I was adding a stock ACER motherboard with a Stock Q8300 and a heatsink with fan. After I installed everything I completly forgot to plug in the 4 pin connetctor to the MOBO. I smelled something burning and immediately shut of my PC. So after I found out what I forgot to do, I plugged in the 4Pin connector and the PC boots up and posts. I managed to install Win 7 on it and everything seems fine....BUT, the only thing that does not work anymore is the CPU's Heatsink Fan thats connected to the motherboard. I dont know what I should do...Should I replace the entire mobo or replace the heatsink with a fan....Or maybe what I did will cause problems later. Help!

 

[smarteyeball]

In the interim, move the cpu fan to another header.

Ideally a burnt mobo should be replaced.

 

[EvolutionZero]

In the interim, move the cpu fan to another header.

Ideally a burnt mobo should be replaced.

Unfortunatly the MOBO only has 1 4 pin header.....

 

[Layback Bear]

Plug another fan into it and see if it works. If it doesn't work their is a good chance you cooked the motherboard and or cpu.

 

[EvolutionZero]

Plug another fan into it and see if it works. If it doesn't work their is a good chance you cooked the motherboard and or cpu.

Well i know the CPU or mobo is not fried becuase i can boot and run win 7 just fine.

 

[Thorsen]

I would try a new fan as well to see if that is the problem. the smoke smell might have been from the motor in the fan itself or maybe a ball bearing getting destroyed....

I would not run the system without a fan on the the heatsink... the cpu could get too hot and get damaged. This chance of this is slim as most CPU's have preventative measures to prevent damage and will simply fail first, but I would not risk it.

Also, a component on the motherboard could be fried and still the functionality that you use is still good. but this integrity flaw could pop up at any time and damage other components or simply fail without warning later on.

Also, if you cant get another fan, (or if a new fan doesnt work either) but have access to a voltmeter and the mobo documentation, you can test the current on the 4pin to see if it is recieving the correct amount of voltage

 

[essenbe]

You can get a 3 pin fan to 4 pin connector and connect the fan to the PSU. If it dosen't run, you will know it is the fan that needs replacing.

 

[EvolutionZero]

I would try a new fan as well to see if that is the problem. the smoke smell might have been from the motor in the fan itself or maybe a ball bearing getting destroyed....

I would not run the system without a fan on the the heatsink... the cpu could get too hot and get damaged. This chance of this is slim as most CPU's have preventative measures to prevent damage and will simply fail first, but I would not risk it.

Also, a component on the motherboard could be fried and still the functionality that you use is still good. but this integrity flaw could pop up at any time and damage other components or simply fail without warning later on.

Also, if you cant get another fan, (or if a new fan doesnt work either) but have access to a voltmeter and the mobo documentation, you can test the current on the 4pin to see if it is recieving the correct amount of voltage

there are 2 fans that are on the case that work like a exhaust. It sucks the hot air out the case and they are located literally right next to the CPU and the other on the top of the case facing the CPU. Can i still run it without the fan on the the heatsink?

 

[essenbe]

No. You cannot run the computer without a CPU cooler and fan.

 

[Britton30]

Which 4-pin connector did you forget?

 

[EvolutionZero]

Which 4-pin connector did you forget?

Im sorry? I only have one next to the CPU but it does not work i bought a new fan and plugged it in still no good.

 

[EvolutionZero]

is there any other headers on the mono i can connect it to? should i just buy a cable connector that connects the fan to the PSU?

 

[Britton30]

Which 4-pin connector did you forget?

Im sorry? I only have one next to the CPU but it does not work i bought a new fan and plugged it in still no good.

Just clarifying, a mobo has many 4-pin connectors. If it was the CPU fan, you most likely toasted your CPU and mobo, even though you can still boot. There is a 4-pin power mobo connector too.

 

[essenbe]

I think you two are talking about different things. There is a 4 pin PWM fan connector on the mobo, but you can get an adapter cord to connect it to the 4 pin connector to the PSU. It is the PWM connector that he only has 1 of, and doesn't work. Get an adapter cable if the new fan didn't come with one and connect it to the PSU.

EDIT: If the PWM connector on the mobo is burned out, what else on the mobo is burned out?

 

[EvolutionZero]

I think you two are talking about different things. There is a 4 pin PWM fan connector on the mobo, but you can get an adapter cord to connect it to the 4 pin connector to the PSU. It is the PWM connector that he only has 1 of, and doesn't work. Get an adapter cable if the new fan didn't come with one and connect it to the PSU.

EDIT: If the PWM connector on the mobo is burned out, what else on the mobo is burned out?

Well, after I found out the fan was done for, The computer booted up, and i managed to install win 7 and install the updates and cruise the web for a bit. Then i shut it down. I was monitoring the cpu temp and everything seemed fine. no bsod or errors. could it just be that the 4 pin headers are done for?

 

[EvolutionZero]

Which 4-pin connector did you forget?

Im sorry? I only have one next to the CPU but it does not work i bought a new fan and plugged it in still no good.

Just clarifying, a mobo has many 4-pin connectors. If it was the CPU fan, you most likely toasted your CPU and mobo, even though you can still boot. There is a 4-pin power mobo connector too.

Well, after I found out the fan was done for, The computer booted up, and i managed to install win 7 and install the updates and cruise the web for a bit. Then i shut it down. I was monitoring the cpu temp and everything seemed fine. no bsod or errors. could it just be that the 4 pin headers are done for?

 

[jeepmann4x4]

What is your Acer's Model#? Maybe one of us can find a pic of your MB and see what we are working with?
How old is your system? Warranty?


No Matter What Your Temps ARE/Were.....Please DO NOT Run your System Without A Cpu Heatsink/Fan!!
You WILL Damage It!!