Resistors on motherboard leaking

[SafeZone]

The resistors (or capacitors) on a motherboard I got for a client seem to be leaking. There is a crusted brown fluid that has leaked out of several of them onto the motherboard. In most cases it has leaked out, dripped downward, and then dried and crusted.

Now this may be blatantly obvious, but this sounds like a problem to me. The computer will not start anymore, it gets to windows loading screen and then quits. My guess here is that the motherboard needs to be replaced, and since its so old, it would be cheaper to just replace it rather than try to solder on new resistors.

What do you guys think? I know I've heard of motherboards that were shipped with faulty resistors, and that many people either replaced the resistors manually or got a new motherboard.

PS. where can I get an athlon Slot A motherboard these days?

 

[HiTek21]

I had an Abit motherboard with a capacitor that went bad like you meantioned. If its still under warranty, RMA it and see if they'll send you something better.

 

[SafeZone]

Well I got this mobo from a friend, I do have the box and maybe the users manual, but the motherboard must be over 3 years old by now, I don't think the warranty would cover it now do you ?

 

[SafeZone]

hmmm?

 

[dexvx]

Its a capacitor. And if you find a capacitor with the same rating as the one that leaked, you can solder on one yourself.

 

[SafeZone]

theres like 4 or 5 that are leaking though

 

[MrPickins]

You could try to replace the capacitors, but if it is for "a client," IMO it would probably be better to replace the mobo.

 

[WheelsCSM]

I had the same problems with an Abit Slot-A board I used to have (KA7-100 I think??) thought maybe I was the only one. It will definately make me think twice about buying another Abit board since I had only had that one for about a year and a half.

 

[Deanodarlo]

Some of you may have already read these articles, but for those who haven't:

http://www.timcousins.com.au/capacitorfailures.htm

A huge industry wide capacitor problem that effected many areas of the electronic industry.

I like the comment about the price difference per main board when it comes to good vs cheap capacitors - 50 cents/board. If I were a motherboard firm, I'd like to be known for quality components when the difference is that small. However you know what the men in suits are like - ever little bit helps.

 

[wetcat007]

Originally posted by: SafeZone
The resistors (or capacitors) on a motherboard I got for a client seem to be leaking. There is a crusted brown fluid that has leaked out of several of them onto the motherboard. In most cases it has leaked out, dripped downward, and then dried and crusted.

Now this may be blatantly obvious, but this sounds like a problem to me. The computer will not start anymore, it gets to windows loading screen and then quits. My guess here is that the motherboard needs to be replaced, and since its so old, it would be cheaper to just replace it rather than try to solder on new resistors.

What do you guys think? I know I've heard of motherboards that were shipped with faulty resistors, and that many people either replaced the resistors manually or got a new motherboard.

PS. where can I get an athlon Slot A motherboard these days?

Welly if u replace your motherboard u might as well stick in a athlon xp 1700 for 40 bucks, becuz u wont have any trouble finding a socket a mobo that costs less than an old slot a.

 

[IsOs]

I recently repaired a dual cpu motherboard with bad capacitors. See the blue capacitors

New and old capacitors

Here's after the capacitors were replaced.

The cacitors cost $1.05 each, in the MSI 694D there are 6 of these that leaked.

 

[RalfHutter]

You can also send your board to the "Capman" along with $50 and he'll replace all your old caps with shiney new ones. He's done a few boards for me and has given me excellent service.

 

[ChefJoe]

My sympathies. This happened to my old abit BE6-II 2.0 and they RMAd it without problem. It was only one year old and I got it back with new caps about a month later.

 

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by: ChefJoe
My sympathies. This happened to my old abit BE6-II 2.0 and they RMAd it without problem. It was only one year old and I got it back with new caps about a month later.

A month?!

That's a long turn-around time.

 

[ChefJoe]

Yep, it wasn't quick. I bought my TUSL2-C to tide me over (had been using a slotket) while it was away. I am including the shipping times in that month.

 

[Maggotry]

Originally posted by: Deanodarlo
I like the comment about the price difference per main board when it comes to good vs cheap capacitors - 50 cents/board. If I were a motherboard firm, I'd like to be known for quality components when the difference is that small. However you know what the men in suits are like - ever little bit helps.

How many mobo's does ASUS, for example, sell in a year? 50cents/boards adds up very quickly. Not defending building crappy products, but I can see the temptation of shady businessmen.

 

[Falcon2k]

This may sound strange, but from my lessons on Capacitors, they're not supposed to have a liquid inside (just a bit of oil, very, very small amounts). We took a capacitor apart and all the liquid that was inside was the stuff on the insulation between the metal coils. Its just enough to slick your finger slighly when you run your finger across it. I dont think it's enough to leak that bad... But correct me if im wrong.

 

[ChefJoe]

The electrolyte/oil breaks down over time. My understanding was the maker stole and then used a formula that was mistranslated or poorly written such that it breaks down and starts releasing gasses with age. The gasses then displace the electrolyte that is insulating the foil and makes it hold less charge, which is why people normally notice these things when voltages drop and the computer becomes difficult to boot (my experience). They can explode, but often, a seam goes first and they ooze out what remaining electrolyte is left.


Crap... electrolyte is conductive... there's a term for the non-conductive stuff they use... not electrolyte, but you get the point.

 

[Boobers]

DIELECTRIC is the word for the oil, meaning non-conductive...

 

[SafeZone]

thanks for all the replies guys, i ended up replacing the motherboard with a spare MSi baord that my friend had.
However, I still have the Abit board with the leaky capacitors, I think it might be a fun side project to replace them.
I'm thinking it would be wise to replace all of them correct? If I only replace the ones that are leaking then it will only be a matter of time before the others start leaking.
I'm not very good at soldering so I'm thinking the "capman" might be worth my money, anyway, lemme know, I could probably take a few photos of the board just for you guys' interest.

o yea, on the "capman" website, he says KA7's and KT7's are 75.00$ to repair because they have 32 capacitors that need to be replaced, yikes!

This might cost a little more than expected

 

[SafeZone]

yes i think so too

 

did you just talk to yourself?