Seeking Assistance: Help Identify Potential Damage on My Asus Vivobook S15

I hope this post finds you well. About six months ago, I purchased an Asus Vivobook S15 (model M5506UA), which has served me wonderfully—until last night. While I was using it, I suddenly heard a pop sound, followed by an acrid burnt smell. My immediate suspicion is that a capacitor might have blown.

Curious and concerned, I decided to take a closer look by opening up the device. However, I was unable to spot any visible damage on the motherboard or surrounding components.

I’m reaching out to the community for help here. If you have experience with hardware issues or can lend some expertise, I would greatly appreciate your insights.

To assist with troubleshooting, I’ve attached a reference image I found online, as well as pictures of my own motherboard for comparison. Any thoughts or suggestions on what to look for or how to diagnose the problem would be extremely helpful. Thank you in advance for your support!


Feel free to leave any comments or advice below, as your expertise could guide me towards a solution.

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One Comment

  1. Thank you for reaching out with your concern. Based on your description, a popping sound followed by a burnt smell suggests a possible electrical failure, such as a blown capacitor, resistor, or even damage to the power circuitry. Since you’ve already inspected the motherboard visually without finding obvious signs of damage, I recommend the following troubleshooting steps:

    • Perform a Static Discharge: Before handling any internal components, ensure you disconnect the device from power and ground yourself to prevent static damage.
    • Check for Visible Damage: Look closely at the capacitors (small cylindrical components) and resistors for bulging tops, discoloration, or leaking. Use a magnifying glass if needed.
    • Test with a Multimeter: If you have a multimeter, measure the resistance across the capacitors and resistors. A shorted capacitor may show near-zero resistance or could be visually damaged.
    • Inspect Power Components: Focus on the VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules) and any area where the pop sound originated. Look for scorching, burns, or damaged solder joints.
    • Check for Damage to Nearby Components: Sometimes, a fault in one component can cause a cascade of damage; inspect the entire area carefully.
    • Specialized Testing: Consider using a thermal camera or an infrared thermometer to check for

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