voltage reg. Question

[Reverend bluE]

what signs does a blown voltage regulator exhibit?  (besides no output
voltage).

I have one that gets really really hot really fast, and there is no output
voltage...  

and what causes this?  I installed it and tested it, I got the desired
voltage, then after I hooked up my LED's the one didn't come on, and now that
voltage reg is the one that gets really hot, while the other side (the
negative side) is. I'm using the big regulators that have a hole in the mfor
attaching a heat sink. (can't remember the part numbers)

again, much thanks.

VCO1 is done (mounted on a piece of cardboard for now) power supply is done
(except for the blown voltage reg), and I have my power cabling set-up and
made one cable (for the VCO).  gonna test it as soon as I put in the new
regulator (but I have to go buy one first)
-ben in Phoenix