Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

[budm]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

@gizmotoy: one trick when you work on multi-layer PCB. Add a little solder on the solder side of the board first, then get yourself stainless steel dental tool with sharp point (Harbor Freight has 5-piece set for about $8) put the point on the component side hole and push on it while you are melting the solder on the solder side until the needle pokes through, then remove the iron and the needle, the key point is that it has to be stainless steel so the solder will not stick to it. I use this method to replace caps on mother board which can have 15 layers of coppers.

[Gizmotoy]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

Thanks for the reply. After a long delay, I was able to source the correct capacitors and get the Acer apart. I had at least half a dozen bad capacitors, and was able to replace everything on the power board.

The logic board had 1 bad capacitor, and I replaced both capacitors in that area, but whereas the power board was simple, my 60W soldering iron just couldn't handle melting the solder on this board. After awhile I decided that the amount of time the iron had to spend on the board was more risky than just leaving the rest of the caps on there, so that's what I did.

I connected it all back up and it's been working perfectly. Hopefully those remaining capacitors stay functional and I won't have to go back in there. Thanks for the advice!

[retiredcaps]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

I'm handy with a soldering iron so I want to give it a go, but the pictures in the OP are dead.

That is one reason why I always insist that people upload to this forum so the pictures are always available. See my sig file below.

I'm also trying to figure out if there are any places to buy the capacitors I need in the Cincinnati, OH area.

Your local electronics store is unlikely to carry low ESR capacitor which are required in a SMPS application. See my standard answer on replacing caps (regulars may skip). It explains why and gives a practical example.

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...84&postcount=3

[Gizmotoy]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

First off, I'd like to apologize for resurrecting a dead thread. I stumbled upon this thread after my x241w started exhibiting the exact same problems discussed here.

I'm handy with a soldering iron so I want to give it a go, but the pictures in the OP are dead. I'm also trying to figure out if there are any places to buy the capacitors I need in the Cincinnati, OH area. Given the identical symptoms, I assume I'll need about the same types and quantities by the others in this thread.

Any help you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks!

[PlainBill]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

10x, Bill

I live in Israel ...

A little outside the area I usually visit. Perhaps someone here can identify a reputable supplier.

PlainBill

[yakirg]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

10x, Bill

I live in Israel ...

[PlainBill]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

Guys, sorry I forgot to post back ...
The problem was the flat cable between the screen and video card was not connected properly ... once I connected that, it all worked.

The real problem is though, the original problem came back last week ...
I need to tear it apart again, and take a look ... I think the Caps I replaced were not good, as they came from a cheep electronics store ...
I need to find somewhere I can buy the good ones at.

A common problem. It occurs so often we suggest using only name brand low ESR caps such as Panasonic FM, FR, or FC series, or equivalent caps from Nichicon, Rubycon or United Chemicon. As far as a source, that is why we suggest including your location in your profile.

PlainBill

[yakirg]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

Guys, sorry I forgot to post back ...
The problem was the flat cable between the screen and video card was not connected properly ... once I connected that, it all worked.

The real problem is though, the original problem came back last week ...
I need to tear it apart again, and take a look ... I think the Caps I replaced were not good, as they came from a cheep electronics store ...
I need to find somewhere I can buy the good ones at.

[spintop]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

I had the same problem, where the backlight will turn off after a second of turning the monitor on.
I replaced the 4 capacitors as described in the original post, and now the monitor turns on.
BUT, it is stuck in self test mode, where is shows a series of patterns(Gray-white-colors-gray-scale etc.) changing every second or so ...
Any idea what caused it? or how to stop it?
The monitor still recognizes the signal, and it goes to powersave when there is no signal, it just doesn't display the image ...

Ideas?

Maybe you should post some clear pic of the power supply board front and back. I am sure most of us can give u some advice.

[yakirg]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

I had the same problem, where the backlight will turn off after a second of turning the monitor on.
I replaced the 4 capacitors as described in the original post, and now the monitor turns on.
BUT, it is stuck in self test mode, where is shows a series of patterns(Gray-white-colors-gray-scale etc.) changing every second or so ...
Any idea what caused it? or how to stop it?
The monitor still recognizes the signal, and it goes to powersave when there is no signal, it just doesn't display the image ...

Ideas?

[retiredcaps]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

If it powers down, then once powered up, the garbage is on the screen for another 5-10 minutes. Any suggestions?

Take it apart and look for bad capacitors. Also, please do not cross post in multiple sub forums.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

Sounds like either a static build-up issue [while it's off] or a cap that needs to warm up before it works right.

[gamo62]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

My issue with my Acer X241W is that when it is powered down or on standby for a period of time, there is garbage on the screen for about 5-10 minutes. After which time the display appears to be normal. As long as the system does not poer down, the display works fine. If it powers down, then once powered up, the garbage is on the screen for another 5-10 minutes. Any suggestions?

[smason]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

Just would like to post the same experience from me: same monitor, same problem, even same 4 caps popping up. Went to store to get 4 replacements and soldered them back. My monitor is working like new again! Thanks for the great information.

What store? What brand caps?
You might be doing it again soon.

[nicetouch777]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

Just would like to post the same experience from me: same monitor, same problem, even same 4 caps popping up. Went to store to get 4 replacements and soldered them back. My monitor is working like new again! Thanks for the great information.

[shinycaps]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

Before I begin.. SUCCESS!

Sorry about how long between updates as I have been very anxious about my first real soldering fix so it made procrastinating very easy.

I first broke apart an old radio and practiced unsoldering and resoldering components and grew confident pretty quick.

So with my enthusiasm i quickly took my monitor apart and got to work..
and then I made a rather large beginner mistake... I failed to notice the glue holding the one cap in place and ended up overheating the pad and surrounding board way more then i was comfortable with(started to look brown/burnt) for the next 40min of the project. But at this point all I could do was press on and hope for the best.
The soldering wick seemed to be effective but only if i used it once I had the cap out to clean the hole.

Soldering the new components in place was very easy and all but one of my joints I was very pleased with. I considered retrying the one joint but it was on the pad that I believed I had already pushed to its limit so I decided to let it ride.
I used 63/37 solder so I figured the joint probably was not non functional.

I decided not to replace cs14 and cs15.. I have the caps on hand but at the time I was very nervous about this project going south and decided to limit my chances at failure.

After putting it all back together and plugging it in I am now typing this post on it minutes after starting it cold.


Thank you all so much for your help.
and thank you to this forum in general.
You have saved me a lot of grief and provided a great learning experience.

Thanks again

[shinycaps]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

Sorry for lack of updates, waiting on soldering iron to come in still.. hopefully sometime this week.

Little update on something I have found out. I don't actually have to sit here turning the screen on and off for a half hour or more.. All I have to do is turn it on and let it sit on but with no backlight for about an hour. Then I turn it off and back on and the backlight stays on. So it seems like its waiting for something to warm up.. Not exactly sure what that would be or what it means.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

Some of the Dells blow this pair of transistors and some other parts.
I haven't done one myself. I've just seen them in here repeatedly.
You can get the parts on eBay fairly cheap if that's it.
Use the search feature and search your model number HERE and see if anything comes up.
Someone may have done most of the work for you already.
.

[blowing_in_the_watts]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

hey, sorry to relive this experience

ive been surfing for the acer x241w "repair" suggestions

yes same symptoms, menu "no signal" even though it gave signal, (says no signal but is showing the desktop) periodic black screens then it worked fine
finally it gave up and went all black
it sat awhile and was donated to me to fix as i fixed several GX270/280 dells and a dell 18inch monitor before

i had the same problem, blown caps
or so i thought

so it came with tons of crappy CapXcon blown all over the board and a few Taepo scuttled here and there.

I replaced them professionally with my little variable waller iron
also I found a blown 3amp fuse on the backlight inverter board
the first time i heated it too high because the solder removing it actually floated through to the other side
anyway, i got it all done!
those little pico 3amp fuses are easy to find

well i plugged it back in again and checked to see if the backlight came on
no backlight
i checked the high voltage plugs, no voltage... nothing
so the inverter wasnt even working either

i dissected it again and again checking with my trusty fluke MM all kinds of spots on the board for any shorts or faulty ohms
nothing i can find

plugged it back in again to check if it had screen with my flashlight and the stupid backlight inverter board didnt like having questions asked and quietly began catching a fire!!
a U chip on it had burned up two prongs and it was done


therefore i now have a good tested power inverter (plug) and a controller board (vga)

hopefully someone will want them


i am being horrified by the bad reports on this monitor
and the cheapest capacitors possible placed in critical high temp areas

makes me really want to rip up my two dual screen monitors to check if i need to recap them also! sheesh
if i ever experience a glitch with those ill be unplugging them immediately and spending the next 24 hours on my bench

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Replacing caps on acer x241w learning experience...

Here.
.


.
I had to do it by screen shot because BCN can't handle a PDF of any reasonable size.