Smoke smell comming from E6400

So, I was just sitting there watching some TV on my desktop computer, and I smelt some smoke. It was late and no one else is up. I got worried and check the rest of my house but didn't smell anything outside my room. I got back to my room and found out the smell was coming from my laptop.

I could not locate a specific fan vent or area that I could conclude to be the source. I started using my laptop briefly and the rebooted (to make sure it still worked), then shutdown (so it could cool off) with no problems or errors.

The laptop didn't feel all that hot in general, but I have only had it for a week so I can't say I really know. It was sitting on my desk (so the bottom vents might have been blocked), but it has been doing that 95% of the time I have had it.

I will check/monitor temperatures tomorrow, but it definitely was not under any stress.

 

Some component, perhaps on the power board, may be burning without creating much overall heat.

Also check the PSU.

John

 

It could be dust or something in the heatsink that that go suck in by the fan and stock in the heatsink.
Try to clean that up... if it doesn't help, then I would contact Dell for a new system.

 

Ok, this just happened again. It seems to occur after being plugged in for a long time. I will open her up tomorrow.