Yikes! My Mother's Computer Caught Fire

[Stacey]

I put together a computer for my mother. It has worked fine for about
6 months. A few weeks ago I installed a new hard drive. It has been
working fine but apparently it caught on fire. I just had a chance to
take a look at it and I see that the cables that connect the
motherboard (ECS K7S5A Pro) to the USB ports in the front of the case
are totally burned out but everything else looks fine.

The other possible factor is that I bought this case used as a floor
demo from a computer store. It looked like it was ok. When I got it
home I noticed that the top USB connection in the front of the case
was a little bit "shakey" but I used it anyway. About a month ago this
top connector somehow got broken (I could see plastic bits coming out
of it.)

Sounds like the front USB port shorted out. There is no telling how much of
the system has been damaged.

 

[jenn]

I put together a computer for my mother. It has worked fine for about
6 months. A few weeks ago I installed a new hard drive. It has been
working fine but apparently it caught on fire. I just had a chance to
take a look at it and I see that the cables that connect the
motherboard (ECS K7S5A Pro) to the USB ports in the front of the case
are totally burned out but everything else looks fine.
I am obviously going to replace the case. Other than not being the
greatest board out there, is there any reason to replace the
motherboard? I haven't tested it to see if it still works but my worry
is that even if it does work the same thing could happen.
A few extra details that may or may not have something to do with the
cause of the fire.
I had left the side panel off of the case since I installed the hard
drive. I had forgotten to put it back on and promised to do so next
time I put the computer together. There was a little bit of cat fur
inside when I looked. Could this have been the problem?
The other possible factor is that I bought this case used as a floor
demo from a computer store. It looked like it was ok. When I got it
home I noticed that the top USB connection in the front of the case
was a little bit "shakey" but I used it anyway. About a month ago this
top connector somehow got broken (I could see plastic bits coming out
of it.) I decided to move the connector of the USB hub to the bottom
connector but then discovered for the first time that it had been
superglued shut for some reason. Since then I have used the extra USB
connectors on the back of the motherboard and forgot about the front
ports .... until now.
Has anyone heard of anything like this before? I leave my computer on
all the time and never worried until now about it catching on fire.
The bottom line is there any chance the problem was caused by the
motherboard and should I replace that?
Thanks in advance!

 

[philo]

Sounds like the front USB port shorted out. There is no telling how much of
the system has been damaged.

Yes, I'm sure the wiring shorted out...
and there's a good chance the the USB port is now bad...
but IIRC the mobo has plenty of extras

 

[Gary Tait]

Yes, I'm sure the wiring shorted out...
and there's a good chance the the USB port is now bad...
but IIRC the mobo has plenty of extras

If you are lucky, the fuse just blew, which can be supplanted if you
are skilled (I have done that with PS/2 keyboard socket fuses before)

 

[jenn]

If you are lucky, the fuse just blew, which can be supplanted if you
are skilled (I have done that with PS/2 keyboard socket fuses before)

Thanks to everyone for responses. My main concern is if there was a
continued fire danger using the same motherboard and based on your
responses it sounds like it is not a particular danger (as was the
computer case.) Thanks.

 

[Jan Alter]

The board new sells for $40 new. If it were me I'd replace it with something
else just for the peace of mind. May as well throw in a newer processor
while you're at it and maybe a new BMW.

 

[DaveW]

Replace the motherboard. Fire is a too dangerous a thing.