GA-880GA-UDH3: Could I have burnt the motherboard

[the_kid]

Hi,

This might be a newbie question.  I was asked to build a computer at work even though I had never done it...

Straight to the point, I tried to reuse an old Deer DR-C400ATX PSU with a GA-880GA-UDH3. This is my first time building a PC from scratch and I didn't realize about the 8 pin connector for the processor. So I plugged the 24 pin power cable and the rest of connectors (except for the processor one) and tried to start the machine. Of course, the machine couldn't boot and I felt some heat close to the processor with my hand (of course didn't phisicaly touched it).  Now I know that I need a different PSU but I'm affraid I could have damaged the motherboard. I don't know if anything burned because I have no sense of smell.

My question is: could I have possibly damaged the motherboard? The computer was for my company and I will have to pay it from my own money.  I won't be able to get a new PSU till next week and I would like to know as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance.

[absic]

Hi there,

It is possible that you have damaged the motherboard or other components especially if you left it switched on for more than a few minutes whilst you were trying to figure out what was wrong.

Saying that it could be that everything will be fine and the only way you will know for sure is when you get the new PSU and connect everything back up and try to start it.

[Dark Mantis]

As absic said there is no reason why the motherboard should be damaged just because you didn't plug in the 12v connection. Obviousli it wouldn't boot but that should be the end of it. I am taking it that the fan on the heatsink was working.

To be fair I don't think that you should have been asked to build the computer in the first place if you haven't done it before and therefore any problems should be borne by your employer anyway.

[the_kid]

Thank you for your responses.

My hope is that I don't think that it was on for longer than 30 seconds because I got scared when I saw nothing on the screen and pulled the plug.  I did try to start the computer twice though.

I guess I'll find out when the new psu arrives....

[blackie]

That extra 8-pin from the power supply is usually for extra power for the video card. Should be no problem if you did not plug it in.

And Dark Mantis is correct - there is no way you should be responsible for this build. It is your employer who is responsible - NOT YOU.

[the_kid]

Finally the PSU got to the office. I plugged it and the pc works fine (except for the cpu fan which takes a while to start spinning, but once its starts it's ok).

If this happens to anyone else I hope this post gives them some relief.

 

[Dark Mantis]

Happy to hear that it is all done and dusted now. I really didn't think it was fair of your emloyer to get you to do this though and am glad it all worked out for you.