Multiple boards,multiple problems

[ProFM]

Hi there,

I'm just popping in and give you the situation here.I'm using 2 VP6 dual pentium 3 servers here in a webradio environment.
Now i'm having the first problems which appears to be "'badcaps" but before doing someting stupid,i ask the experts here.

Server 1 is my streamserver (on 24/7),worked flawlessly for the last 2 years ,but the last weeks the pc is starting to do funny. Spontainiously reboots,or ""hanging"" into blue screens. Normally after rebooting it runs again.
the OS on this system is Windows 2003 server.After crashing the OS gives a "fatal error message" (or something like that,don't know the exact phrase)

Server 2 is the spare server,worked ok too,but is mostly tuned off. After a few weeks of inactivity i started up the server to get a "disc boot failure"
First i thought the HD died so i opened the server to replace it. But during the replacement the server start to do strange things,wont reconize HD,or won't boot,and when it boots,no install of OS possible... (all errors i did find on this site) When inspecting the board however,i don't see real problems yet,all caps looks pretty normal,except for on small caps at the agp slot which is a bit ronded at the top .

What do you think? I know i'm asking at the know direction...but i guess i won't believe both servers starting to die at the same time i suppose...

Sad thing is,i once bought a recapped board on e-bay some time ago to have a spare....but this board won't start at all.....this one looks real dead..

Am i stuck with 3 dead/dying vp6 boards here? I would like to have all boards recapped but i'm located in the Netherlands.....(so i can't send those boards to the US i just read) Are there any companies in Europe recapping those boards?

Your thoughts please?

Best regards from the Netherlands,

Gert
Pro FM
www.profm.nl

PS sorry for the spelling errors!

[Per Hansson]

Re: Multiple boards,multiple problems

Can you post pictures of the suspect capacitors?

[ProFM]

Re: Multiple boards,multiple problems

I will try to. The streamserver broke down again last night so i suspect it won't hold for long (2-3 times a day breakdown)
Since this is in use 24/7 and build into a 19 inch industrial housing it is difficult to take a look at the mainboard now.
(for a look into the studio server rack look here:
http://www.pro-fm.net/modules/myalbu...?num=10&pos=10 )

I will make some pics from the spare server as soon as possible.
I still can't believe both boards die at the same time...this really sucks!

[kc8adu]

Re: Multiple boards,multiple problems

good chance the first 2 are bad caps.
the recapped one may be some other issue.
i noticed you say you cannot send these in to the usa.
not sure if tc will handle foreign jobs but if not i do.
or is it some silly export law?
on the recapped one try to clear cmos.not much else other than maybe the bios worked loose from rough handling.
just make sure it is seated.
and inspect your power supplies for bad caps.
esp if they are cheapies.

[ProFM]

Re: Multiple boards,multiple problems

I just exchanged the spare server board for the recapped one.
I took your advice and cleared the cmos by taking off the battery for 30 minutes or so ,en set the jumper.
Guess what? it works! I'm a bit happier now!
Unfortunatly i have to go for a family dinner so i don't have time to change servers now,but i will exchange this board for the one in the streamserver hoping to fix at least 1 pc.

Now the other board is out,it's also much easier to make some pictures which i will do asap.But i think i allready know the answer now that i have a better view.....

[ProFM]

Re: Multiple boards,multiple problems

not sure if tc will handle foreign jobs but if not i do.
or is it some silly export law?
.

I reffered to badcaps.net. I don't think there will be any export problems as long as i send it as ""repair" or someting. Besides that,i'm owning a postal adrees in Florida so resending can be through there if nessecairy.
If you do repair this might be interessting to me. I have some electronic skills,but i rather choose to have this done by somebody more experienced than me to make sure it will work afterwards.

Gert

[ProFM]

Re: Multiple boards,multiple problems

It's in the middle of the night here and i just made the emergency repair with the recapped board into the streamserver.
Luckily it all went ok and where back on air right now.
Tomorrow i will take a closer look at this board to and make some pics.
I'm happy the recapped board did work after all......

[davmax]

Re: Multiple boards,multiple problems

I can recap for you, but Australia is possibly more travel time than US. We have other local people recapping. It would be ideal if you can get local support. Have you tried any of the major local repair shops?

[kc8adu]

Re: Multiple boards,multiple problems

It's in the middle of the night here and i just made the emergency repair with the recapped board into the streamserver.
Luckily it all went ok and where back on air right now.
Tomorrow i will take a closer look at this board to and make some pics.
I'm happy the recapped board did work after all......

thats good to hear.
clearing cmos must have done it?
btw once recapped the vp6 is a very stable board.
feel free to pm if you need the others recapped.
i am willing to bet thats what they need.

[ProFM]

Re: Multiple boards,multiple problems

Hi kc8adu,

Indeed,clearing the cmos did the trick for the recapped board.
I made some pics from the spare server.They don't look all bad,but some of them have the know rounded tops as you can see.

Attached some pic of the spare server.
I must say that the mother board from the server looks better,pics from that one i will post later

kc8adu,i will pm you for more details regarding recapping those boards.

regards,

Gert