Help with a 2-Year Old E-Machine Computer.

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I`m getting a computer for repair at the Flea Market. It is a E-Machine and heres the specs.

2.8Ghz Celeron D Processor
512Mb of ram [If it works i`ll upgrade it to 2GB.]
Intel Extreme Graphics Onboard [I`ll Upgrade the card if the computer works.]
80GB Hard Drive
Onboard Sound [I have a Sound Blaster Audigy i just bought from Wal-Mart that i`ll put in it.]

The only problem is smoke is coming out of the power supply. Any Suggestions.
By the way i`m getting it for $15 and have power supply replacements.

woah $15 bargain! Assuming everything else works.

I think its just the case of replacing the PSU.

That's a good chance to upgrade the power supply to one with extra juice if you need it. The rest of the plan sounds good. You might want to upgrade the hard drive later - 80GB is a good start for now. I hope everything else checks out okay.

I am thinking of upgrading to a 200GB, The computer already has a CD-Burner and a DVD
Drive seperate from the CD-Burner.

gamefreak, sounds like maybe a short in power supply repalce that thing asap!! if you haven't opened it up yet, check to make sure the power supply (on back of machine) fan and the cpu fan(the one on the aluminium block (heatsink)spin when the machine is on. if possible and there are available card slots in back to install a card slot fan (these are usualy sold at compusa or any computer store)

word of advice, e-machines may be cheap but my computer tech cousin hates them because of the motherboard issues.

they do make perfect machines for basics but don't expect much out of them for gaming and power pc users (people who are modding or using the machine all the time)

the motherboard might not allow the onboard graphics card to be changed,so motherboard might need upgrading as well.

Another thing you should know about branded computers is that the even though the layout and PSU pinouts comply with current form factors, the actual physical size of the motherboard, and mount placements usually do not comply with form factor standards.

Knowing the model number might help me help you a bit better.

There's a possibility that the power supply is smoking because of damage to the motherboard or some other component(s). If you cannot substitute the power supply to test prior to purchase, just be aware that you might be purchasing a $15 case.

At minimum, you can unplug the power supply from the motherboard and then power it up. If the power supply doesn't smoke, then the issue is with something else (motherboard, card, drive). If it does smoke, you still don't know how deep the damage is.

Very rarely does a power supply failure damage the motherboard.
I would make sure that any replacement power supply is of decent quality.
Spend $25 on a 580 watt power supply from newegg if you want to put any
good quality video card in there.