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Bad capacitors? (pic)

Those caps need to be replaced ASAP. I've seen at least 5 boards within the past 6 months that have exhibited the "leaking capacitor syndrome". Usually the PC's will reboot or experience random GPF's.

IMHO you should RMA the board if possible or, solder new caps on if you have the ability to do so, or purchase a new motherboard.
 
Time to RMA I guess. Board is an Epox 8k7a, that's faithfully served in my main PC then server since 2001 🙁 RIP

It was running 100% stable for days on end just this week though.

But now it's not running.
 
You gotta give credit to Abit for taking care of the situation like they are.

My KT7-R has one cap that looks bad, and I'm going to RMA the board this upcoming week.
 
I have two boards with blown capacitors. Abit KT7-Raid , and MSI K7T. I hated the Abit board since I got it anyway, but it's nice to know why did they brake. I'll replace the capacitors myself (it'll cost me as much as shipping)
 
Yep. Had the same problem with my MSI KT7 Turbo. RMA'd it and the second developed the same problem shortly there after.
 
Originally posted by: Baronz
Time to RMA I guess. Board is an Epox 8k7a, that's faithfully served in my main PC then server since 2001 🙁 RIP

It was running 100% stable for days on end just this week though.

But now it's not running.
Click to expand...

2 of the motherboards that I have replaced have been 8k7a's
 
Replacing the caps is a very easy process. Radio Shack should have the caps you need in stock at their store. Will save you some down time too, if you can't get a new board while waiting for your old one to come back.
 
Originally posted by: dnuggett
Replacing the caps is a very easy process. Radio Shack should have the caps you need in stock at their store. Will save you some down time too, if you can't get a new board while waiting for your old one to come back.
Click to expand...

How much do they normally run for say 6? I checked my KT7-R again and 2 were not only bulged but they exploded, and 4 more were bulging. Amazingly the board was still working as a server upstairs at the ISP I used to work. I never actually checked the PC's internals for almost 6 months, so it was a gradual process.
 
Hehe.... I`ve 10 bad caps on my Epox 8kha+ for 6 months now(4 bulging ,6 leaking but they seem to have stopped leaking) and my 3 year old Epox is still going strong,when you get a lot of bad caps it`s not worth soldering with new caps IMHO,better off getting a newer updated motherboard, I`m going for a KT600 or nForce 2 Ultra soon to replace it.


Btw I`ve a new motherboard (the old MSI board died in that,but caps were fine) in my backup PC so if my Epox suddenly dies,I`m ok until I get a replacement board.

Maybe we should do a bad capacitor survey poll.


 
This problem is not isolated to motherboards either. My Hercules 4000xt (Kyro 1) had this issue too and led to the card's early death.
 
I am another 8k7a bulging cap. victim. The board is unusable with an AGP video card but works fine with a PCI v. card.
 
You are not going to find the cap values at any electronic store I know of.
Radio shack el-cheapo's will fail

I was so proud of myself for keeping my wifes Shuttle AV30 Win 98 PIII 1 GIG box going for 2 1/2 years without a reformat. Then all of a sudden, the printer refused to be recognized. Since this was immediately after a big power blowout, i assumed the mem chip in the HP was fried. Next, i started getting those multiple green lines at top of monitor on a blank screen. Then finally, the computer would just shut down randomly to a blinking cursor.

Quite by accident I noticed some brown crud on top of a filter cap near the CPU, whilst i was swapping in and out everything i could think of. At first glance it looked like pizza splatter (i am a messy eater and always leave computers open on one side). So i got out a magnifying glass and took a closer look - all 12 2200uf caps were leaking to some degree. so i pulled the board and discovered all 17 1200uf caps were also bad. so i ordered the cap kit - see below - and soldered in all the caps. Note - remember the mobo is 6 or 8 layered and its easy to screw up, so a trick is to pull the caps physically, cut leads and solder new caps to old lead stubs on top.
Before putting the board back in i looked at the small 100uf caps (the black ones) and once again noticed by accident that these had leaked UNDERNEATH to the board. Every friggin ES cap on that board went bad.

I then cracked the mobo in half, tossed it, and bought an IS7 and a P4 2.4C.

cap guy

Edit: fixed link
 
I had some capacitors blow before. I was sitting near my computer and it just sounded like a balloon exploded inside my case. At the time I was kinda nodding off and it scared the crap out of me. The computer kept working though! I just shrugged it off at the time. A few days later, it happened again while I was playing a game and decided to crack the case. I looked inside and didn't see anything unusual. About a week passed and it happens again so I crack the case one more time and look and sure enough I see bad damage to some caps. I ordered a replacement motherboard online that night. The board never did stop working. I used it up until the new board came in.
 
From the Novenber issue of CPU magazine:

"Typically, the electrolytic caps used in the VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) and other mobo sections cost less than $1 apiece. Other equipment you?ll need to make repairs is available for about $10. Here?s what you?ll need and how to do it:
? Soldering iron
? Thin 60/40 rosin core solder
? A desoldering tool
? Wire cutters
? New capacitors"
(subscribe to the mag and access the rest of the article online)

There are many sources for capacitors such as here.
(and I have an electronics store down the street that carries anything)

The radio shack link was merely an example.
 
Well, this is great. I guess Abit ISN'T fixing old motherboards like they say they are. Here's what they replied to when I sent them an RMA request:

Dear customer,
Based on the information you submitted:

SN: (In Wnty:N Missing SN:Y)

Original Invoice Avaiable & within Wnty:N

No Physical Damage:N

Your defective product is out of warranty. We will go ahead to invalidate your request. You can still apply for service for USD 25 per board by confirming this email within five (5) working days that you agree to pay for the service and the warranty extension on your new replacement will only be good for ninety (90) days. Upon receiving your confirmation and acceptance, we will reactivate your request and confirm the validation result.

RMA Dept

ABIT Computer USA

Item: KT7-RAID SN: Email: [removed] From: NewEgg Date: 9/01/2001 Note: Two busted capacitors and four more are bulging. I was told to RMA free of charge and that it was a known problem with this board. MSN: Y OI: N NPD: N Wnty: / /
Click to expand...
 
I just got another email from Abit, about 5 minutes ago -- right after I posted here (coincidence?) 🙂

Dear Customer:
This is Carol from Abit, RMA Dep.
We had received your RMA request #xxxxxx and we
don't need to charge any service fee on this case.
We will waive the $25 service charge fee this time.
Thank you
Carol
Click to expand...
 

nice to know they stand behind their stuff.

and Abit was the one hit hardest with the bad electrolytic formula caps
there was a thread on slash dot a mile long on their prob when it first became known

it was not their fault - they just bought the caps from a bad source - which broke down over time.
 
Just curious, but has Asus had this problem? Seems to be limited to a few manufactuers.
Of course electrolyics can go bad at any time, anywhere, any brand.
 
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