How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

[yanz]

How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/05/...r_motherboard/

I just wish that the author had read our FAQ first so that the article could be better and more in depth. Nice try btw to bring this important issue to THG's readers..

And i think that many question on its comments section have the answer on our FAQ/Forums...

[linuxguru]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

The replacement caps look like Panasonic FCs or FKs.

[willawake]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

is this something new? hahahahaha

well a large percentage of visitors here dont read the FAQ either. there must be quite a few people who dont stray from the "major" computer sites......

where is our referral link in the comments please?

[gonzo0815]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

OMG, have your read about the drilling the holes advice?
I think this was not that good, as most newbie would certainly fail in clearing the holes. With the usual inappropriate tools, this would end by drilling.

Any way, better a article with some bugs, then nothing.
I think the more sites spreading the truth about many hardware problems, the more the people get informed and do not went nuts on troubleshooting or discussing some urban myths about the cause.
This would probably lead to a way more productive discussion even on such topic`s like PSU`s, build quality and real power requirements.

[Harvey]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

As I've said before, I don't see what the big deal is with having to clear the holes. If you can only clear one hole its a simple matter of heating the other while sliding the capacitor in.. and if you can't clear any just alternate the heating and tweak the leads in one at a time. You still need to then reheat and resolder the joints of course - but its always worked fine for me.

[willawake]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

manufacturer recommend heating new capacitor for only 3 seconds, can you do that this way?

[Harvey]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

3 seconds at what temperature? - remembering that while your wiggling in the lead the capacitor is hardly getting warm as very little heat conducts up the leads.

[Galvanized]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

willawake,
I beleive Harvey is an oldster that has been at it for quite awhile.
He is a respected, helpful member over at AnandTech. Hi Harvey!

[Newbie2]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

OMG, have your read about the drilling the holes advice?
I think this was not that good, as most newbie would certainly fail in clearing the holes. With the usual inappropriate tools, this would end by drilling.

I had to resort to drilling two times. A lead from the old cap would break off, and then its stuck in there pretty good. I had tried everything for 1 hour with no success. Then, I pulled out a precision drill and very carefully drilled into the hole. A few minutes, and I have clear holes.

I don't recommend it though, it's my last resort. Usually if its just solder in the hole I just take some desoldering braid, add a little more solder to the hole and then use the braid with the soldering iron. It works for me almost every time.

[willawake]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

imho braid was just useless for me. why not use a needle?

[bgavin]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

The stainless needle method works the best for me. I picked them up at a sewing/fabric supply house.

I tried the solder sucker, and braid. No luck at all. Needle is great. I use a Hakko 936 station at 450c for removal and hole cleaning. I drop it down to 350c for installation. I have 100% success so far, on four boards.

[yanz]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

needles and a solder sucker work best for me..

Any way, better a article with some bugs, then nothing.
I think the more sites spreading the truth about many hardware problems, the more the people get informed and do not went nuts on troubleshooting or discussing some urban myths about the cause.
This would probably lead to a way more productive discussion even on such topic`s like PSU`s, build quality and real power requirements.

completely agree with everything you just said. cookies for you!!

well a large percentage of visitors here dont read the FAQ either. there must be quite a few people who dont stray from the "major" computer sites......

everything i learn i learn from the faq.. talk about lazy people..

[tazwegion]

Re: How to Fix Your Motherboard for $15 - Tomshardware's article

imho braid was just useless for me. why not use a needle?

Why not indeed!

Personally I've had good results with a vacuum tube (desoldering tool) & superfine jewellers' screwdriver to clear PCB holes