I think I fried my rig

[Stormcrow]

Hi guys, I just signed up and already I have a problem. About half an hour ago, a speaker fell off my wall and nailed my pc dead on while it was running browsing this site. Left a huge ding in my brand new case, but thats not the worse part. When it hit, my computer shut off but the power supply kept running. So I quickly unplugged it to try and stop any surges. After a few minutes, I plugged it back in and hit the switch...only to be greeted with that quick flash of the power LED and then nothing. The PSU indicator lights up, my Mobos power light is on, but nothing happens, not even the fans started up. Then I got that slight, familiar smell of cooking capacitors like when you turn on a PSU or the first time. It wasnt strong, just noticable enough to cause worry. My hardware if it matters in this case:
Hiper Type-R 580 watt
DFI Infinity nforce-4 Ultra
Athlon X2 3800+
2 gigs el cheapo Kingston value ram
Geforce 6200 (which I was really, really hoping to upgrade this month )
160 WD HDD
2 IDE DVD drives

I've already done a few steps to try and fix it
Unplugged everything but for one stick of ram
Unplugged everything
Cleared CMOS (battery and jumper)
Unplugged everything but one stick of ram, hooked up a backup 350 watt PSU I know works and still nothing
Tried the same above but with no ram
Reseated the processor
Tried all the above with the onboard power button
Crumpled into a heap and cried like I lost my girlfriend

I'm guessing since my computer shut off but my PSU was still running, I might have toasted my mobo since nothing happens, not even the case LED coming on or the PSU fans starting. Wonderful. I was wanting a new mobo anyway, but before I go out and splurge is there anything else I might try so I can finally get rid of this 6200 instead of buying something else? Oh yeah, and thanks for the time to help someone who just signed up.

[Hitman]

You have pretty much tried everything I would have suggested. I think your assessment of a fried Motherboard might be right. The only thing I can think of is the jolt from being hit by your speaker caused a short some where.

[Computer-Ed]

Have you tried a different PSU yet? Or better yet used a PSU tester?

[deantn]

Originally Posted by Computer-Ed

Have you tried a different PSU yet? Or better yet used a PSU tester?

Unplugged everything but one stick of ram, hooked up a backup 350 watt PSU I know works and still nothing
Ummm seems like " computer ed" is still

But agree with him check with power supply checker.

[Jokerswild]

Welcome to HardwareLogic. What a terrible thing to have for your first post. I can't think of anything else to add other than good luck and keep us informed.

[garetjax]

This is very unfortunate. As voiced by others here, I would definitely say that there is a very good chance that your motherboard may have fried. The only thing I would suggest at this point is to inspect the motherboard and try to locate where the smell is coming from. If any of the capacitors are leaking or obviously look bad, then you will definitely need a new motherboard.

However, if nothing comes of that, you might borrow a friends compatible motherboard and try booting/installing Windows on a different hard drive to ensure that none of your other components were damaged. I would also run MemTest86 on your RAM while you were at it; nothing sucks worse than getting ready to put together a build with new parts only to find out that some of the existing parts are bad. RAM is a fickle thing. It's quite possible that your sticks may also have become damaged when the speaker hit your case.

It is much better to be safe than sorry by taking the extra time and precaution to identify what works and what does not before reusing suspected bad components in a new build.

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

Crumpled into a heap and cried like I lost my girlfriend.

Not to worry. We will get you straightened out for sure. =)

[Reloadron]

You are losing me just a little at this point:

When it hit, my computer shut off but the power supply kept running.

What do you mean? Do you mean the video went away but it seemed like the machine was still running?

The LED you reference as the motherboards power light is likely the 5 Volt SB from the PSU (5 Volt Stand By). That tells us the PSU is providing 5 Volt standby power as it should anytime the machine is plugged in and rear PSU switch is on.

Take a good look at your case and note exactly how the speaker hit it. Think about the force from the blow and look at what may have come loose. The case should have absorbed the bulk of the shock from the impact of the speaker. Note the dent in the case from the inside. Anything critical around it?

I see you did the RAM tricks. Take a look at other things and their connections. Try starting with the opticals disconnected. Look for things that could now be shorting the PSU. The fact the PSU seems to momentarily start then say within 1/2 second stops is indicative of a short. Look real hard for anything that may have become shorted as a result of the bang.

Ron

[Capper]

Just saw this.......you might check the CPU to make sure the HSF wasn't knocked loose, or that the processor wasn't jarred loose from the socket, as the thermal paste can make the processor stick to the HSF.

[Panda Man]

Welcome! I'm with everyone else, though I would suggest one thing:

Originally Posted by Hitman

the jolt from being hit by your speaker caused a short some where.

Only thing I could think of that didn't involve a dead motherboard. Take everything out of the case and try running it then, just mobo, psu, mem, cpu and gpu. A wood surface would be best.

[Stormcrow]

Thanks for all the quick responses. I pulled the mobo out after fighting with a stuck screw, hooked it up to my other PSU that works...the red LED in the lower left comes on and thats it. It wont fire up.
The impact happened right over the PSU, from what the dent in the case is telling me. The computer shut off but the PSU fan was still running, maybe it was still on or maybe it just hadn't spun down yet by the time I got to it. I pulled out the PSU aswell, and theres no obvious damage to its case, still looks brand new. A quick shake, and nothing rattles.
So, I'm at a loss. Nobody else around here has a AM2 mobo, or DDR2 so I cant check the processor or RAM. It cant be the PSU as my backup one gives me the same results. Would it be best to just order a replacement mobo from Newegg? I can get the same kind for about 70, which isnt breaking the bank.