Hardware Electrical Smell coming from my computer

[CPhantom]

It's odd. Everytime I turn it on it is giving off this electrical smell. However, nothing is smoking, and the computer runs fine. It just smells god awful. What could it be? I was thinking the power supply might be going bad or something? Any help?

Thanks!

 

[arctic_flame]

Um... is any insulation slowly melting?

 

[CPhantom]

nothing is melting. But scratch what I said...the power supply was giving off a little smoke so I powered it off. I think my power supply is just going bad here.

 

[kobykaan]

blow out all the crap outta the psu and inside the tower ... DO NOT USE A HOOVER/VACUUM CLEANER as it will cause major static inside the computer and prolly cause damage to the circuit boards etc!

good tip here is to wear glasses/goggles or some kinda eye protection as its gunna be very very dusty!!!

 

[CPhantom]

I've already started. Yeah, dust is EVERYWHERE. do you think my fan was clogged or something? It is some serious amount of dust here, hah...

 

[fischju]

Smoke coming from your PC is rarely good

 

[kobykaan]

I've already started. Yeah, dust is EVERYWHERE. do you think my fan was clogged or something? It is some serious amount of dust here, hah...

no doubt at all about the dust there!!

blow like crazy and get it all out there or get some CANNED AIR from an electrical store and blow all the crap out of the psu etc I do mine every so often otherwise I get blue screens or freezes

 

[SavageWaffle]

Maybe some plastic got in, and its melting?

 

[xJonny]

What is your current PSU?

If it's not very good you don't want it exploding and taking out all your components with it

 

[SavageWaffle]

Maybe some plastic got in, and its melting?

Edit:
OR OR OR, if your case is plastic, and your playing games(or many high voltage using programs/overclocking alot) PSU might be frying your case?

 

[Westside]

Your motherboard can be shorting. It happens when your motherboard touches the metalic parts of your ATX case when it is not supposed to.

 

[CPhantom]

What is your current PSU?

If it's not very good you don't want it exploding and taking out all your components with it

it's pretty old if I'm not mistaken, so yeah.

it just looks like a generic brand of a 480w power supply (This computer is several years old)