A user reports a persistent burning smell coming from their desktop computer, which then shuts down unexpectedly. When the technician arrives, the computer is powered off. What is the MOST appropriate first step the technician should take?
Disconnect the computer from the power source.
Ask the user if they recently installed new software.
Open the case to visually inspect the motherboard for scorch marks.
The correct first step is to disconnect the computer from the power source. A burning smell indicates a potential electrical short or component failure, which is a serious safety hazard and could cause further damage to internal components. Before inspecting any internal components, the technician must ensure the system is completely de-energized. Checking log files, attempting to reboot, or gathering more information from the user are all secondary actions to be performed only after the immediate safety risk has been mitigated.
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