Question HP Computer: Burning Smell + 4-beep Code with Red Light

[joshhmusic]

Hi, I googled the problem to no avail.

I started my HP Z420 PC after a while and it ran fine for about 10 minutes. It suddenly shut off and started a continuous 4-beep code with a red light.
On top of that, there was a plastic-y burning smell coming from the PC. The next time I tried to start it, it ran for 0.5 seconds before shutting down and doing the same thing along with more of that burning plastic smell.

I was wondering what the beep code meant. Thanks!

 

[CountMike]

First thing to look at would be PSU but don't force starting it up with it connected to the rest of computer, if it's it's fault and it didn't burn something else up, it might do it now.

 

[Ralston18]

Provided that I have correctly identified the applicable beep codes - PSU indeed.

Reference links:

https://content.austin.hp.com/produ.../documents/Beep_Blink_Codes_ZWorkstations.pdf

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03599666

As suggested do not force further starts.

If you have any warranty left then contact HP.

Are you able to identify the existing PSU: make, model, wattage, age, condition?

Hopefully nothing else was damaged and only a new PSU will be necessary. Get a knowledgeable family member or friend to help check out the system and replace the PSU.

 

[joshhmusic]

Provided that I have correctly identified the applicable beep codes - PSU indeed.

Reference links:

https://content.austin.hp.com/produ.../documents/Beep_Blink_Codes_ZWorkstations.pdf

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03599666

As suggested do not force further starts.

If you have any warranty left then contact HP.

Are you able to identify the existing PSU: make, model, wattage, age, condition?

Hopefully nothing else was damaged and only a new PSU will be necessary. Get a knowledgeable family member or friend to help check out the system and replace the PSU.

Thanks, yeah I was thinking it was the PSU. I've had the PC for a while and changed out different graphics cards, RAM, and hard drives before with no problem. It's had a lot of use before however. I just think it's weird because I let it sit for months (no dust acclimation) before starting it up again and now it's acting up. Maybe a bug got inside and shorted it, lol. There's not enough wattage being drawn from the PSU to overload it. I think the PSU is something like 400w. My old rig's cheapie PSU shot sparks and died so I can't migrate it over. Not sure if HP's OEM parts have any different mounting than standard ATX.