Burn out power connector

Hey, i switched on my computer today and got an error message saying my ATI Radeon's additional power connector isn't connected, so upon closer inspection, i pulled it out and noticed one of the four pins had burnt out.

Is this a sign of something more serious, or just normal? It's probably plugged in there for about a year or two, and the computer is very rarely left on for longer than 7 hours per day.

I've never seen it before, this does sounds somewhat serious. I'd check the power supply.

I will probably order a new power supply and get a decent one this time. I usually always buy the unbranded cheapy ones, as i've never had any issues with them before. I'm just glad the card still works ok! I've taken the power plug out of my CD burner and stuck it in my Gfx card.

The pin on the card was burnt out? Seems to me that the solder weld was probably loose, that can cause a connection to get burned out from the sparking that occurs.

So, more than likely it was a fault of the card, not the power supply.

No, the pin on the power connecter 4 pin lead was burnt out. I can't actually see the card probably. I made the mistake of putting the wires from my keyboard monitor. etc down the back of my desk and putting the desk against the wall, then pilingloads of heavy stuff on my desk, so actually taking the computer out to get a proper look inside is a right pain.

(which i'll need to do anyway :o( )

Basically a plug/connector will overheat if the connection is poor or if it is underrated for the amount of current/voltage it has to carry.

It's possible the connector was not pushed on far enough, or it was a cheap and nasty one.

It is not a powersupply issue, don't waste your money ;)

As taskmaster said, a pin burnout is usually from where the connection cannot handle the current going through it so gets hot. This is either caused by a bad connection (check motherboard soldering), a short (mabe some conductive debris got in there?) or the power supply was not regulating properly and over juicing it (possible if its not a native adaptor)

Either way, i would certainly take the laptop apart and check the motherboard & power components as any sign of burn is not good and could potentially cause a fire if left unfixed. Its also worth buying a proper laptop PSU as these should be properly regulated.

*Me wonders why D4NM4N thinks it's a laptop ;o)*

I will order a good power supply, incase of a fire. Not worth risking it for £30 odd quid.

Molex connectors are notoriously crap, I don't know how they ever became an accepted standard. I've known the pins push out of the back of the plug when you try to connect them.

They are extremely flimsy. I've had a few that have been bent and just don't fit.

Blegh !

LOL, must have been all the beer over the weekend, i posted using my mates PDA, just read read; "pins"... "powesupply".. "connector ".. "burnt out"..
I added 2+2, got 5, then posted.

Still my first sentence makes some sense i guess :D

Im off to be ashamed...