If the capacitors on the motherboard are corroded (i.e. the top metal bits), is it possible to reverse the damage? I was prompted to look at this because the computer loads up OK but then gets to the OS loading bit and then just stalls. Some times it gets to the Windows Desktop and seems OK for 10 seconds (hardly chance to run any diagnostics) and then it just freezes and I guess this must be because the motherboard is fried?? So I’m wondering if the problem is reversible?
Thanks in advance.
To answer the first part of your question, yes it is possible to repair a motherboard with corrosion issues, but what looks like corrosion is often the result of overheating.
Do you have a residue on the top of the capacitors?
This is often where they have actually ruptured and are no longer storing the charge required. You can de-solder and re-solder identical replacements if your soldering is good enough. Often what you can see is not the only issue, there may be unseen damage, or worse an underlying problem that will just result in the new capacitors suffering the same fate as the old ones in a short space of time.
The best option is to replace the board.
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Find out what capacitors are bad, buy replacements (shouldn’t cost much) and re solder them.
Or, buy a new motherboard that supports your CPU. $40-$70. It’s really up to you. I recommend buying a new board. Try to keep in mind that it could be more than just the capacitors that have gone bad. Even one small resistor could do it.
References :
In this age electronic repair is not widely used. I would recommend buying a new or used motherboard that fits your current specs. You can spend time ordering capitors etc, buy a soldering iron and it likely still wont work. And to have it professionally fixed would be to expensive.
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If only the capacitors are corroded (i.e. leaking), you can simply replace them with new ones. Assuming they are thru-hole electrolytic caps, replacing them is a quick job that anyone with basic soldering skills and basic component knowledge can do.
However if the leakage has caused corrosion on the motherboard itself there’s not really much you can do about it.
References :
To answer the first part of your question, yes it is possible to repair a motherboard with corrosion issues, but what looks like corrosion is often the result of overheating.
Do you have a residue on the top of the capacitors?
This is often where they have actually ruptured and are no longer storing the charge required. You can de-solder and re-solder identical replacements if your soldering is good enough. Often what you can see is not the only issue, there may be unseen damage, or worse an underlying problem that will just result in the new capacitors suffering the same fate as the old ones in a short space of time.
The best option is to replace the board.
References :
20+ Years Experience – Senior Technician – Electronbox Mijas, España
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