Lcs-8038tx

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

Is circled item split in half or is that a photo illusion?

Unless you just WANT to fix it I would toss it and replace it.

[cmj21973]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

It looks split due to shadow.

[zynix]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

Is circled item split in half or is that a photo illusion?

It looks split due to shadow.

Yep, that circled item is split, shadow has nothing to do with it, unfortunately.
Does it mean something particular?

EDIT: Okay, it isn't fully split, it has a cut in the middle.

Unless you just WANT to fix it I would toss it and replace it.

Well, the fact is that I'm trying to fix it because I wanted to know if there's anything I can do to bring it to life before I go to some computer shop, get myself a new NIC and toss this thing in garbage. If there's nothing else to do, it's time for shopping!

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

Yep, that circled item is split, shadow has nothing to do with it, unfortunately.
Does it mean something particular?

Yes, it means it's probably bad.
.

[Wizard]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

Not bad, this is a spark gap with MOV in parallel.

During production, one wire is bent into U and both legs is attached to the MOV disc. Then dipped in coating, then the upper bent part of wire is sliced open.

That's normal and that is not the problem.

The other SMD pad with scratch mark was this part there or just missing?

Cheers, Wizard

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

Why would a NIC have a MOV?
Silkscreen says it's C45.
Looks like a ceramic cap to me.

[zynix]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

If it helps you peeps the C45 is labeled as following:

GAP KAP (I googled a bit, it's a ceramic cap, not a MOV)
1-2KV
ARC

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

That's what I thought. - NICs don't need MOVs.
And a cracked ceramic cap could kill a NIC.

[zynix]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

...but it isn't cracked, it's cut through just as it is on the picture in attachment.

PS: I'm not the owner of this image, is it alright to upload it over here?

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

Okay. Whatever..
I've spent enough time on a $5 card.
I'm out.
.

[severach]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

Why would a NIC have a MOV?

It doesn't matter if it's a high voltage capacitor or a MOV. They are essentially the same thing.

The NIC is not directly connected to the cable. The data lines go through an isolation transformer. The ground goes through a high voltage cap. This blocks ground loops and improves lightning resistance.

[zynix]

Re: Lcs-8038tx

Okay people, seems like this NIC is more dead than I thought (btw, I bought myself another one) so I will announce this thread locked.

Thanks to all of you who spent some effort to help me!