Technical Question: What to do about a broken capacitor?

[ncg]

Knocked a small capacitor near the edge of the mobo by the agp slot off the other day...

However, I just loaded a fresh install of W2k on it and everything went smooth as can be.

Should I not trust this board? Should I try to solder the capacitor back on? Should I just let it be?

Suggestions very much appreciated!

 

[Zim Hosein]

ncg, I find it interesting that the system works smooth considering a piece of it isn't even attached, anyway, I'd solder it back on to be safe, just my 2 cents.

 

[dmcowen674]

On the other side of the "safe" coin, I'd say unless you are very good at SMT, Surface Mount soldering, I would leave it alone, you could cause more damage than when you knocked off the Cap. The traces may be damaged in a way that when you go to put the Cap back on that you cause a short which would kill your board and possibly peripherals too. Only you can see the situation of whether you are clear of a short. It's your call, good luck. Since the board is running, it was not a Cap needed for the board to run but a Cap for buffer or RF purposes.

 

[ncg]

I'm of the notion to leave it alone, at this point...

If the cap was for buffer and rf purposes (it is a very small one, btw), I wonder what is the possible problem with not having it...

Thanks for the replies!

 

[MSNY]

Find a ma n' pa computer shop in your area if your not comfortable doing it.

Give them a call and get an estimate, can't be much.