Gigabyte s478 mobo hangs on initializing USB devices during post

[Koda]

Ok so I'm redoing the post in this section because I wasn't getting anywhere in the motherboards section. Here it is:

So I got this Gigabyte s478 for free, too lazy atm to check what model it is, and when I tried to start it wouldn't boot at all so I used the hairdryer trick to heat up the capacitors to see if it'll start (all OST and a few KZG's none bulging) and it did boot but only to the point of initializing USB devices. I'm thinking of recapping the whole mobo with salvaged caps from other mobos but don't know if it's worth the effort. Could this problem be caused by the OST caps that are obviously failing or could it be the the USB controller IC and will removing it allow the motherboard to boot normally? Also when I plug in the 20pin PSU connector or the power cord to the PSU the fans on the mobo briefly start turning and after about a second they stop. The mobo has a VIA chipset I think... I'll have to check what mobo it is tomorrow, getting late here. Pic's coming up in next post. Also to add caps were in reverse polarity, I thought that applied to ASUS boards only but Gigabyte...? Good thing I caught it in time and I got the pics to prove it!

[momaka]

Re: Gigabyte s478 mobo hangs on initializing USB devices during post

Could this problem be caused by the OST caps that are obviously failing or could it be the the USB controller IC and will removing it allow the motherboard to boot normally?

Based on your findings, I would say it's the Ost and KZG caps that are messing it up. If that doesn't fix it, it could also be a bad BGA joint on the Northbridge or Southbridge. Given that this is a desktop board, bad caps are *a lot* more likely to be your problem.

As far as whether it's worth to save it by scavenging caps from other boards - that depends if you want to and have the time to do it.

[Uranium-235]

Re: Gigabyte s478 mobo hangs on initializing USB devices during post

just scavage things that are good caps, sanyo, ruby, etc, etc. nothing too old ether

[Koda]

Re: Gigabyte s478 mobo hangs on initializing USB devices during post

Based on your findings, I would say it's the Ost and KZG caps that are messing it up. If that doesn't fix it, it could also be a bad BGA joint on the Northbridge or Southbridge. Given that this is a desktop board, bad caps are *a lot* more likely to be your problem.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I figured although this is a non ROHS board that most likely uses leaded solder for BGA's so a BGA problem is highly unlikely. Also is the USB controller on p4 boards integrated in to the chipset or is it a standalone IC?

Anyway I'm gonna go ahead and waste 2 hours of my time to try and save this mobo to use it for a backup troubleshooting system. I'm going with salvaged Rubies all the way on this one, MBZ for the vrm (6x6.3 3300uf and 4x16v 1500uf)and YXG for the rest of the board (22 x 16v 1000uf and 6 x 25v 100uf). If it turns out to be BGA problem I'll just reflow both SB and NB and see what happens. IMO its worth saving every piece of hardware, even if it is archaic.

[Koda]

Re: Gigabyte s478 mobo hangs on initializing USB devices during post

So I did it. I recapped the damn thing. Redid the whole board, even the small 100uf ones. Fired it up, and it loaded windows live cd perfectly twice. Turned it off and left it sitting for a while and after coming back and turning it on for a 3rd time.... "initializing usb controller... " and the damn thing did it again. Reflowed the SB/NB but still no luck. Not a cap problem, not BGA, what could it be?????