Am I fucked?

[Enders]

So I started up the computer this morning and the got the whole 'graphics card power cable not in' beeping message. It really was so I turned off the computer, opened up the side, and jiggled the power cable (this has happened before)

anyway, before screwing on my side, I shoved in back in place and started up my computer. In amazement, not only was the beeping continuing, but a huge cloud of a white gasy substance emitted from the bottom of my computer, curled up, then left every hole on my side of the computer.

I kind of laughed, thinking it was dust, but quickly turned off the computer darted out of the room when I realized it was actually smoke.

Now, the smoke cleared up, there's still a smell in here. Hearing some kind of acidic gas, I kept my shirt over my mouth and rejiggled the power cable, getting the computer to work. I found one of my sata cables and fan power cables slightly melded together, from what looks like burning, but I ripped them apart and seperated them

Now, what I'm wondering is. I was face level with the computer panel at this time, I got a pretty good wiff of that smoke. Is there possibly anything in the general area of the graphics card that if burned and breathed in could cause immediate health effects? I suspect it was simply the rubber on the SATA cable, but there was a lot of smoke, so I'm thinking something else might have been hit

I leave for the airport to head to Spain in 4 hours so I need to know :S

[CoMmEnT]

That smell is just the burning of the coating on the cables.


You're probably OK, just as long as you have no exposed copper.

Just to be sure, you should replace all damaged cables.

[BlindSite]

No, I work with chemicals similar to this every day, unless its silicone based particles or highly acidic you're fine.

[Teedy]

Exactly, silica or silicon is your main concern here, and It'd be pretty hard to cause major damage from this one experience. Silicosis takes years of exposure to develop.


I wouldn't be too worry about it, but if you notice any breathing difficulties over the next few days a checkup wouldn't be a bad idea.

[Daywalker]

pfft, that amount of smoke is nothing.

I've been much more badass and walked around at fires without an airpack on and sucked in a lot more smoke from some pretty bad shit and been fine. You gotta burn some really bad shit, or be exposed to it chroniclly for anything bad to happen.

[marty]

You might only really need to worry when your PSU catches on fire

[Milkman Dan]

You might only really need to worry when your PSU catches on fire
God, there's some PSU on the market right now that showers your case with sparks when it dies. I can't remember who makes it, but I think I saw it on Newegg.

[FaKToR]

God, there's some PSU on the market right now that showers your case with sparks when it dies. I can't remember who makes it, but I think I saw it on Newegg.

I'm sure the company was looking for an angle to market their defective product and they found a magnesium casing was just perfect.