Asus PTGD-LA newbie would appreciate input

[vv53]

Hello. I am new to the concept of recapping and looking forward to giving it a try. I want to ask if you think it is worth it given the circumstances. My computer is six years old, has been a wonderful workhorse all these years with no problems whatsoever. Recently I was vacuuming and I knew I was too close to the computer but was doing it anyway, and all seemed well with it. Later in the day I noticed that the computer had reset itself. A little while later, it did it again. The third time I got the blue screen with wavy lines. I opened it up and observed a small piece that helps hold in the southbridge had fallen off and the heatsink on the southbridge was loose. I repaired this but with the same end result of blue wavy screen. I have also observed two capacitors of the same type (820 uf) near the RAM that are swollen, not yet leaking. Is there a chance that if I replace these all will be well? Or is it just too far gone? Thank you for any input.

[retiredcaps]

Originally Posted by vv53

I have also observed two capacitors of the same type (820 uf) near the RAM that are swollen, not yet leaking. Is there a chance that if I replace these all will be well?

It might solve the problem. It is cheap to get some new caps. Get some low ESR ones from manufacturers like Rubycon, United Chemicon or Panasonic.

[MXM]

^ agree, nuff said.....

imo....
i think given the circumnstances is worth trying.

get yourself the caps and do the job, if you need more help on that check out this site, it has manuals and tutotials, and also this forum is full of nice info and members.

id recommend you to recap all your board not only those that seem blown, i learned here that sometimes caps are all fucked up in the inside and you cant even notice by looking at em.

also if you have not much experience on recapping, id strongly suggest you to first practice in some other non-important board.

jm2c

peace.

[vv53]

Thank you both for the input. I thought someone might say that since the southbridge possibly sustained some trauma, this would not be worth attempting.

I have pulled out an old motherboard and will practice with that. I have now ordered the two caps off this site and will start there. If that does not work, I will order the rest.

Is there a way to test a cap to see if it is bad when it looks good?

On a side note, I run a computer lab in a school, and I have watched the tech guy throw out several motherboards over the years because of a bad cap, all Dell 270's I believe. This concept fascinates me. I would love to master it.

[retiredcaps]

Originally Posted by vv53

Is there a way to test a cap to see if it is bad when it looks good?

You need an ESR meter. They cost anywhere from $50 to $300 USD.

[MXM]

Originally Posted by vv53

Thank you both for the input. I thought someone might say that since the southbridge possibly sustained some trauma, this would not be worth attempting.

I have pulled out an old motherboard and will practice with that. I have now ordered the two caps off this site and will start there. If that does not work, I will order the rest.

Is there a way to test a cap to see if it is bad when it looks good?

On a side note, I run a computer lab in a school, and I have watched the tech guy throw out several motherboards over the years because of a bad cap, all Dell 270's I believe. This concept fascinates me. I would love to master it.

no prob.

As stated by retiredcaps, youd need an ESR meter. Some digital multimeters will allow you to have some reads on capacitance (farads) value, but this does not imply the cap is functional. (not much reliable, but I do use this just to have an idea, since i havent looked for the ESR meter)

and about your side note, wel you got yourself a nice source of training boards if you want to master it, remember practice makes the masters.

peace.

[PCBONEZ]

Usually [99++%] if a mobo will boot to a BIOS screen -and- has bloated caps then a recap will bring it completely back.

[PCBONEZ]

Don't need and ESR meter for a one time thing or occasional recapping.
Just learn [or ask] which caps on it are unreliable brands and replace with good ones.

[vv53]

Okay, so I practiced some on an old motherboard, received the caps in the mail, and decided it was time to try the real thing. Problem is, one of the old capacitors broke off when I tried to remove it. So a piece is stuck in there. I cannot get it out for fear of damaging the motherboard. What do I do now?

[MXM]

add some solder and try to see if it gets loosen or add some flux...

this is worth a picture

[PCBONEZ]

Are you using solder wick?

Heat it and try to push it out with a needle.
May have to bend it straight with the hole first - while it's hot.