Looking at friend's computer to try to solve random booting probs, after trying all os, virus, spyware etc, found time this weekend for 'proper' look and find leaking capacitors on m/board. Not worth trying to find someone to mend it is it? Not come across this before but assume I've found the cause.
Yes I'm afraid its not really worth having the caps replaced. If you want the full low down on how so many mainboards shipped with capacitors with bad electrolyte see here Bad Caps, How old is the board? Must be about 6-7 years I would think, try and convince your friend they need a MB/CPU/Ram upgrade.
I think it's about 5 years old, trouble is it's a single Mum, no spare cash to upgrade. I've looked on ebay but always think motherboards from there aren't that cheap for what they are. Im going to take it to my local computer shop and see what they've got. Is it safe to carry on using it til she can save up for a new one?
I've changed the capacitors on 40 or so PCs with this problem. If you are 1/2 decent with an iron, and carefull, it isn't too hard. Caps from RS or similar cost about £5 the lot (ISTR)
Your board may be different to mine, but I needed to change 9 of one type and 7 of another (values escape me) they were all power smoothing, and thus only connected to one layer at each leg. Don't forget to note the orientation!
Emailed local pc shop their suggestion of suitable replacement was £40, the processor is only a celeron 1.8, so if she's going to have to pay that much for a replacement board she may as well have a new m/board and faster processor for not much more. The ram is 2100 so might be ok. What would happen if she carried on using the computer without repair I know it will fail but in a spectatular flames way or just a quiet sort of death?
The ones I've had leaky caps on they have either frozen and on re-boot failed to start or just overnight passed on.
The re-boots will become more and more frequent until intollerable or it just won't start. Don't go there. Repair or replace.
Since it's probably only a basic system you require... you could try speaking to 1st Technologies about a second-user box. The advert page seems to be playing up so the number is 01254 878800.
Mention EduGeek and Ric.
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