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[Cthulhu]

So, I have this new computer I just put together.  Everything was running fine, about to install drivers and such, when I plugged in a USB wireless adapter (I'm recycling my old hard drive, so the adapter was still installed and everything) to a front USB port

There was a noise that at first I thought was the adapter sliding in, and then I smelled burnt plastic.  I shut it off right away and I'm trying to figure out what could've gone wrong.  Is my motherboard toast now?  Can I just unplug the front USB ports and use the back?

The back ports are working, my keyboard/mouse were in there and running fine.

EDIT:  I unplugged those USB ports and it seems to be running fine.  I think I might have plugged it into the IEEE connector.

[Yodamaster]

Well yes, putting a square peg in a round hole may cause problems. I assume from the way you phrased it that the front USBs are part of the case? Were they all hooked up correctly and stuff? And I'd be surprised if case USBs permanently damaged your MB, but apparently it's all good. One last thing, if you look into any of the case USBs or the IEEE you might have plugged it into, is there any evidence of such burning?

[Cthulhu]

No, there isn't, I'm thinking the smell was wire casing melting somewhere along the wire's length.

Anyway, the IEEE and USB connectors are identical on my motherboard, they should do something about that.

[nenjin]

I have the mobo diagram stapled to my chest for the first day of a new build.

There was a noise that at first I thought was the adapter sliding in, and then I smelled burnt plastic.

So you heard like a "chunk" or "click" then smelled burning plastic? Dunno what to tell you. I've never friend anything on install before. It's highly unlikely the wire casing melted somewhere on its length, those are quite heat tolerable to radiant heat.

If you want to be thorough, disassemble it and start again.

[Cthulhu]

I have the mobo diagram stapled to my chest for the first day of a new build.

There was a noise that at first I thought was the adapter sliding in, and then I smelled burnt plastic.

So you heard like a "chunk" or "click" then smelled burning plastic? Dunno what to tell you. I've never friend anything on install before. It's highly unlikely the wire casing melted somewhere on its length, those are quite heat tolerable to radiant heat.

If you want to be thorough, disassemble it and start again.

By that I meant I heard a popping sound.  I wasn't sure what it was and didn't know what else it could be, although I remember thinking something along the lines of "Oh shit, that wasn't a good sound" when I heard it.

[Eugenitor]

Since the IEEE 6-pin provides the power, it might have just been the adapter that got fried and not the mobo.

[Phmcw]

A problem in the adaptater himself is likely.
Does the usb port himself still work?

[malimbar04]

No, there isn't, I'm thinking the smell was wire casing melting somewhere along the wire's length.

Anyway, the IEEE and USB connectors are identical on my motherboard, they should do something about that.

holy... really? Yeah they definitely have to change that

[durins_day]

Ive had similar things happen before. Once while I was playing Battlefield 2 I smelt the familiar smell of burning components. 'Hmmm, oh well" I thought. Since I didn't notice any drop in the game's frame rate and because I was doing so very well, I just kept playing. It turns out one of the three USB controller IC's had burnt itself up for reasons unknown.

Examine your motherboard really good under a bright light. Look for small black IC's, about 5mm x 5mm in size. These are your USB or IEEE controllers. You may find one of them burnt up. If so, no worries- most motherboards come with more than 1 USB / IEEE controller. If there was a more serious problem your PC would not work at all, or catch on fire when power is applied.