your computer may be a ticking time bomb (bad capacitors)

[OS]

I noticed today that some of the capacitors on my Abit BP6 mobo have extruded tops, that is the metallic cover on top of the capacitors are puffing out. I suspect my motherboard has bad capacitors and it's probably a matter of time before they pop. I realize there is another thread similar to this, but the information is not immediately obvious.

Apparently, the problem is caused by gassing in these faulty capacitors because electrolysis is occuring in the liquid solution in the capacitors. The formulation of solution used in these capacitors lacks the proper additives to prevent electrolysis from occuring. Having just performed a physics lab involving electrolysis, it's troubling to realize this is happening inside my computer.

Now, my question is, what should I do about this? Fix it ASAP or wait? Will damage occur to other components in the computer when the caps blow? This mobo is almost, if not already, out of warranty. Abit wants 25 dollars to repair out of warranty items, but there are reports that even 'repaired' motherboards reexhibit the problem.

Right now, the safest solution seems to be to immediately replace the bad caps by myself with specific caps from known, good manufacturers, but this course of action causes me the most inconvenience and costs me the most time. It's possible for me to buy a new cpu/mobo setup, but there are some reports that even new motherboards are afflicted with this problem and the extent of this problem's reach is unknown.


article 1

article 2

 

[miken]

Old components are old components. It lasted this long, be happy. If the Caps blow they may physically hit some other components, but the possibility of it damaging them is not that high.

 

[DeschutesCore]

In our experience a puffed / leaking cap almost always follows a power surge. After a device arcs we almost always manage to spot one or two. I have yet to see this attributed to age but it's more likely condition IMHO. Don't forget that unless you use a line filter and a surge supressor in combination with eachother, your machine WILL get surged repeatedly on a daily basis. Conditions are much better in some areas, but most areas have very dirty power.

DC

 

[IGBT]

Yeah..sometimes they make a mess. Like having a roll of toilet paper blow up in your computer. Or that smell of something burning but you can't find it..................

 

[Jayczar]

I have experienced this a few times and it has in all cases been
attributed to a HSF that quit working or a defective PSU, I am
not saying these are the only ways just examples. The "X" on
top of the cap I believe is sort of a relief valve to keep the cap
from building up pressure and exploding. This is a good thing
as I have had them pop while working on the unit. :Q

 

[CTho9305]

Blown caps are fun!
edit: at the bottom is a link to the pics page

 

[NutBucket]

Use it till it starts flakin out then either I'll fix it for ya or get a new board.

 

[MaxDSP]

I just had this happen on my ~2 year old Soyo rig. Link

The smell is not fun at all and it stuck around in the basement for a while. I was referred tothis guy by another member but he charges like $50 to repair it and he warranties it for a year. See my thread for signs of how bad the situation gets