Computer Overheated, Advice Needed

Hey everyone. Last night, I was playing a graphics-intensive game (Champions Online, which is on par with STO in terms of graphics requirements). We're in the middle of a heat wave in California, and my room faces the sun set, so even in the evening I'd say it was about 85 degrees in my room, at least.

While standing still in the game and talking with friends (I also had Chrome and Skype going), I suddenly detected a whiff of a burning smell. Right as I realized that it was probably my computer, my computer just shuts off completely. No messages or warnings, it just went out immediately.

Given the heat in the room and the burning smell, I figured that the computer may have overheated. I left it alone for the night. This morning, when it was much cooler, I tried to turn it back on. Nothing happened. No fans whirring, no lights or beeps, no response at all from pushing the power button. I toggled the power supply's switch, and still nothing. At this point, I unplugged the power cable and opened the casing. I only did a cursory inspection because I needed to get to work, but I didn't see any burn marks or melting on the motherboard.

So now that I've given you all the information I have, I have some questions for the computer experts among us. Since I'm not getting any response at all when I try turning the computer on, I'm inclined to believe that it's the power supply. Is replacing the power supply (a 500W one) a good idea as a starting point? Are there any other tests I can do, if that doesn't work, to check to see what may have been damaged?

Not a computer expert myself, but I had that happen to my computer this summer. After my computer-expert friend had checked it out, he declared that it had bricked--ie dead, with all the data irretrievable. That may be the case for you, but best to have someone look at it firsthand to be sure.

The power supply is a likely culprit, since there is no reaction to turning it on. Have you tried turning it on while looking inside the case? Maybe a fan will start to turn, or a light on the mobo will flicker?

I would also inspect the connections between the power supply and motherboard, check for burn marks.

A hard reset of the power supply may be in order also. Unplug it from the wall, toggle whatever switches you might have, and press the power button a couple times with each switch setting. Then make sure to put switches back to original position, plug it back in and try again.

Do you have another computer? Or a friend that would let you use their computer to test this?
If so, borrow the other power supply (assuming compatibility) long enough to see what happens.

Harsh, hope you get it up and running soon!

I've seen a few rigs blow their PSUs, so I agree that's a definite possibility. Like gamerjosh says, I've tested this before using someone else's power supply; usually the power cables are long enough that you can sit the two PC towers with their open sides facing each other, and connect the 'borrowed' PSU's cables to your mobo & GFX card without having to physically remove it. A simple test (provided you can get your hands on someone's PC!) that could diagnose your problem in a minute.

Also, since it's so quick and easy to do, double-check your PC's fuse. Ya never know!

Best of luck! x

Dumb question: where is this fuse? :P

Oh duh, I just realized you meant in the power supply. I thought you meant there was a fuse on the motherboard. :P

Thanks for all the advice everyone. If anything, this at least confirms to me that my initial hunches aren't insane and I should go ahead and try and diagnose the power supply.

Yay, I fixed it! Basically, I needed to replace both the power supply and the graphics card. Needed to sell my 360 and its games to do it, but it was a good choice. I haven't touched that console in almost a year.