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Comment:
Hello, I hope you can help...
It seems my computer will successfully startup completely randomly and very rarely.
I can turn the computer on and the normal startup sounds occur and the disc drives check but the monitor won't come on.
I know it's not the monitor at fault as is it the kind the clicks on and off when changing resolution. So the assumption is that the computer is crashing before it properly starts. All I can do is keep pressing the restart button until it starts (this can take a very long time). It is also deteriorating as it is becoming less and less likely to continue working once it has successfully started up.
If anyone has any experience of this or knows what the problem is I would be most grateful if you could share your insight. I haven't been able to (and won't be able to) use the computer long enough to do any checks, software repairs or driver updates etc. but if someone could help me direct a local computer specialist on what needs to be done it would be a great help.
Here are some details I know about the PC:
XP Home Edition SP2
AMD Athlon XP1800 Processor
512mb ram
40GB HD
Nvidia Geforce3 Graphics CardMany thanks to any help, it would be hugely appreciated.
Paul.
+1 |   |
possible Power Supply Unit failure.
Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'
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because88, sure sounds like a hardware failure of some sort. My dad's computer (a Gateway cheapie) finally quit booting - turns out he had some bad capacitors on the motherboard. Maybe try popping the cover off and take a look inside the computer to smell and see if you see anything unusual. And as mattie suggested possible psu failure.
+1 | |
Hello all,
Thank you all for your quick responses, they're greatly appreciated.
I took the side off and took a look inside. After a dust I found some green capacitors(?) labeled P1, P2... had been leaking slightly with some hardened brown stuff around the edges.
The PSU fan, exterior fan and graphics card fan all appear to be working fine. If there is a problem with the PSU is it an easy/safe thing to replace?
If the problems are with the capacitors(?) how is that possible to fix as they are connected to the motherboard?
I wouldn't be surprised if you're all right as I'm sure my computer has multiple problems. It's certainly getting on.
Thanks again for the comments so far, if anyone else has any other insight into the problem I'll gladly and appreciatively take interest in it.
+1 | |
This is definately a leaky capacitors problem.
The behaviour mode is classic to that problem.
It starts with intermittent boots which become progressively worse. Eventually it will stop booting.
Visual inspection should show capacitors either bulging or leaking. Leaks are sometimes not visible as they are below the capacitor body on the motherboard.
I had the same problem with my old Abit SA6R RAID motherboard a few years ago. After a lot of googling I found replacement capacitors and very painstakingly (not for the faint hearted) removed the old ones and replaced them. I recall there were about 20 of them in total.
Ever since then the motherboard has performed faultlessly. I still have it on one of my backup systems.
The only other option to repair is to replace the motherboard.
Here is website with some examples
Here is another website with some information
Sorry to be an alarmist but this is what you are facing now.What is your motherboard make?
If you know your motherboard make then google for leaky capacitors + your motherboard make and see what you can find.
___________________________________________
☺ When everything else fails, read the instructions.
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Here's the link to the website where I got help with my bad capacitor discovery. I am opting to fix my own; however, a person can send the mobo in and have all the capacitors replaced for a very reasonable cost.
www.badcaps.net
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Wow, thank you so much Mosaddique for such a detailed response.
MotherBoardRepair.com certainly describes the exact same symptoms.
Problems seemed to occur after installing the network card - could that have caused the leaking in any way?
I'm currently in England and I'll look around on the net and in telephone book to see if anyone can replace them for me. I'm worried about safety - do they contain dangerous amounts of charge/voltage/electricity? (Please excuse my electrical naivety).
Again, thanks for all your comments!
Paul.
+1 | |
Network card has nothing to do with the leaking of the capacitors. That is just coincidental. It was going to happen regardless.
They are not dangerous to work with. The only problems is they are tricky to remove and install. This is particularly the case for the earth leg of the capacitor.
It is difficult to unsolder the earth pin because the earth plane acts as a heat sink and therefore the hole is difficult to get clear. This means it is difficult to put in the new capacitors earth leg.
Also you have to pay attention to the polarity when inserting the new capacitor.
However, if you know how to use a soldering iron and you are patient then it is doable.
___________________________________________
☺ When everything else fails, read the instructions.
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Thanks again!
I'll seriously look into doing it myself, you've been a big help. Thank you AKBessy for bringing the problem to light. And thank you for everyone who has taken the time to post on here.
Paul.
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You're welcome because88. It's always nice to know why a computer is not working right - now you have a chance to make it right again! Glad we could help.
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Hello all,
Today I put in the new capacitors.
It took about an hour to take the old ones out and put the new ones in with two people. The hardest thing was being sure that the solder has made contact on the earth pin.
Another hour later and the motherboard was back in the computer and ready to turn on
So I pushed in the power switch, waited 8 or so seconds and... nothing. My heart sank at the thought of having to take it all out again and find a new motherboard. I went downstairs... defeated.
I came back upstairs and thought I'd return to the old ritual of the reset button. Three presses later and it came on! And it's been on ever since! - I'm too scared to turn it off!
I jest, the important thing is I got some important stuff off of it and on a laptop, something I've been trying to do for a long time.
I don't know whether I'll have to keep restarting it or whether the caps just needed a few goes to charge up.
So from never touching the inside of a computer to replacing capacitors on the motherboard. The next thing to try is a video card upgrade and a second hard drive, providing the computer keeps running. But that's another day.
Thanks again mosaddique and AKBessy and to everyone else who took the time to post. Thanks!
Paul.
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You are most welcome.
I think that now it has fired up, so long as you used good quality replacements and you have no dry joints on your soldering, you should not have any more problems.
Thank you for letting us know of the outcome.
___________________________________________
☺ When everything else fails, read the instructions.
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Way to go because88. I still haven't got my capacitors yet for the old Gateway. I hope I will have a happy story to tell after the replacements! I heard the important thing to capacitor replacement is to make sure to get the holes nice and clean the first time around (and pay attention to the polarity as mosaddique mentioned). I'll post my results after I get my project done. Again, glad to hear that you were able to get your information off of the computer!
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Hello because88,
Where did you get your capacitors from in the end?
Reason for asking is that a friend may be in need of some.
My original source now requires a very large minimum order and is therefore more expensive than replacing the motherboard.
___________________________________________
☺ When everything else fails, read the instructions.
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mosaddique, I hope you don't mind me piping in on the capacitor question. I was able to order just what I needed from badcaps.net - the owner will put together a capacitor kit based on the motherboard. Pretty nice deal - good price and no extras to worry about.
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AKBessy - Thank you for that information.
However, I am looking for a UK based source.
I asked because88 as I remember him saying he was in England in his post (response number 8).
If you or anyone knows a reasonable UK source then please let me know.
___________________________________________
☺ When everything else fails, read the instructions.
+1 | |
Hello again mosaddique,
Sorry for the late reply. I bought my capacitors on ebay. Here's the item number for some being sold at the moment (same seller as I bought them from): 180087407628
Item title: Low ESR Capacitor 1500uF 6.3V for motherboard repair
I know he does 2200uF as well.
He's selling 8 pcs and I asked if I could have 12. It cost an extra £1.50. Three wds postage, 2nd class.
Hope that helps,
Paul.
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Got it Paul,
Thank you very much for that.
___________________________________________
☺ When everything else fails, read the instructions.
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