Problems because of a capacitor ?
Forum rules
Before you post read how to get help. Topics in this forum are automatically closed 6 months after creation.
Before you post read how to get help. Topics in this forum are automatically closed 6 months after creation.
Problems because of a capacitor ?
Hi Guys !
Firstly, let's quickly introduce myself : I'm 15, really crazy about Linux for about 4 months and especially about Linux Mint.
And I'm French (so, please, excuse me if I do mistakes ).
So, here's my problem : I collected two computers in a waste disposal last holidays. One of them seems to works perfectly (I installed Xubuntu on it), but it's not so good with the other . When I try to boot, I can always enter the BIOS, start to boot on a live or alternate cd (I tryed with Live_Xubuntu, Alternate_Xubuntu, Linux Mint 10, Linux Mint 7 and SliTaz 4.0). My RAM is about 512 MBytes and well-recognized, cd players works perfectly and my disks are well-burnt. But with each version I try, some errors occurs, never exactly the same : sometimes, I could only use Mint's console, or I had bugs in graphic appearance, but most of the times, after choosing boot options and loading files like casper.initrz, I have one of these two cases:
-A screen which shows something like "graphics initialization failled error setting up gfxboot", then I have a prompt to reboot
-A screen saying that some sectors are corrupt, the keyboard isn't responding and I have to reboot manually
After trying several hardware hackings, I saw that a capacitor of the motherboard was quite convex, and I know that's a bad thing . Its specifications are : 6.3V, 2200µF. So, my question is : could my problems come from this capacitor (in this case, in would only have to replace it), or must I have a look to other components like processor (maybe the only one chipset I didn't check) ?
Thanks, if you have answers ...
@+
Firstly, let's quickly introduce myself : I'm 15, really crazy about Linux for about 4 months and especially about Linux Mint.
And I'm French (so, please, excuse me if I do mistakes ).
So, here's my problem : I collected two computers in a waste disposal last holidays. One of them seems to works perfectly (I installed Xubuntu on it), but it's not so good with the other . When I try to boot, I can always enter the BIOS, start to boot on a live or alternate cd (I tryed with Live_Xubuntu, Alternate_Xubuntu, Linux Mint 10, Linux Mint 7 and SliTaz 4.0). My RAM is about 512 MBytes and well-recognized, cd players works perfectly and my disks are well-burnt. But with each version I try, some errors occurs, never exactly the same : sometimes, I could only use Mint's console, or I had bugs in graphic appearance, but most of the times, after choosing boot options and loading files like casper.initrz, I have one of these two cases:
-A screen which shows something like "graphics initialization failled error setting up gfxboot", then I have a prompt to reboot
-A screen saying that some sectors are corrupt, the keyboard isn't responding and I have to reboot manually
After trying several hardware hackings, I saw that a capacitor of the motherboard was quite convex, and I know that's a bad thing . Its specifications are : 6.3V, 2200µF. So, my question is : could my problems come from this capacitor (in this case, in would only have to replace it), or must I have a look to other components like processor (maybe the only one chipset I didn't check) ?
Thanks, if you have answers ...
@+
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
- turboscrew
- Level 4
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2009 2:13 pm
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
I don't think that the capacitor is bad - but of course it could be. The symptoms can be strange.
Typically that big capacitors are often found close to the processor, and they tend to go all at about the same time, because a malfunction of one
forwards the "load" to the other ones. Typically bad capacitors cause sudden random "cold starts". The processor is the part that is getting trouble.
Also, you could list the internals of that difficult board. The board make and model, processor, possible add-on cards...
As such, the capacitors are somewhat easy to exchange, but it would be good to first find out if leadfree solder is used.
Leaded and leadfree solder shouldn't be mixed, because they tend to separate from each other making a bad contact.
Leadfree solder needs a bit higher temperature and I recommend a flux pen too.
Typically that big capacitors are often found close to the processor, and they tend to go all at about the same time, because a malfunction of one
forwards the "load" to the other ones. Typically bad capacitors cause sudden random "cold starts". The processor is the part that is getting trouble.
Also, you could list the internals of that difficult board. The board make and model, processor, possible add-on cards...
As such, the capacitors are somewhat easy to exchange, but it would be good to first find out if leadfree solder is used.
Leaded and leadfree solder shouldn't be mixed, because they tend to separate from each other making a bad contact.
Leadfree solder needs a bit higher temperature and I recommend a flux pen too.
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
OK, so according to you, the processor is probably the reason why my PC doesn't work correctly... I should find an old one easily on the Web (a second-hand one, of course).
I can see that my motherboard is a Matsonic, no add-on cards excepted a vga card which works very well with another computer ; I'll see later for the processor (I only remember that its frequency is about 1GHz, maybe a Celeron D but I'm not sure that it's an Intel one).
In all cases, I should put another capacitor (but, to me, electronics=chinese ) : I hope I'll be able to weld a simple capacitor !!!
Thanks a lot and have a good night !
I can see that my motherboard is a Matsonic, no add-on cards excepted a vga card which works very well with another computer ; I'll see later for the processor (I only remember that its frequency is about 1GHz, maybe a Celeron D but I'm not sure that it's an Intel one).
In all cases, I should put another capacitor (but, to me, electronics=chinese ) : I hope I'll be able to weld a simple capacitor !!!
Thanks a lot and have a good night !
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
I think the biggest reason for not mixing leaded and lead free solder is because the unit will not comply with the RoHS directive. I've not heard that the two could cause separation (I've been wrong before... ) Leaded solder would probably be a good option for repair work on a ~ten year old motherboard.turboscrew wrote:As such, the capacitors are somewhat easy to exchange, but it would be good to first find out if leadfree solder is used.
Leaded and leadfree solder shouldn't be mixed, because they tend to separate from each other making a bad contact.
Leadfree solder needs a bit higher temperature and I recommend a flux pen too.
I think he meant that the symptoms would be a bit different if it would be the cap near the CPU.Sylspace wrote:OK, so according to you, the processor is probably the reason why my PC doesn't work correctly... I should find an old one easily on the Web (a second-hand one, of course)
None of us buy that. If you can visually inspect a PC motherboard and come up with a plausible candidate for repair...In all cases, I should put another capacitor (but, to me, electronics=chinese )
It's called soldering what we do for electronic repair.: I hope I'll be able to weld a simple capacitor !!!
I'm pretty sure you can pull it off. I suggest you practice the operation on a scrap PC board first.
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
As for the error "error setting up gfxboot" here is one thread about it that could help. I've never come across it myself.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1594003
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1594003
- catweazel
- Level 19
- Posts: 9763
- Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:44 pm
- Location: Australian Antarctic Territory
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
You French people have holidays in strange placesSylspace wrote:I collected two computers in a waste disposal last holidays.
Put that second machine back where you found it, in the dumpster. That's where it belongs.One of them seems to works perfectly (I installed Xubuntu on it), but it's not so good with the other . When I try to boot
"There is, ultimately, only one truth -- cogito, ergo sum -- everything else is an assumption." - Me, my swansong.
- turboscrew
- Level 4
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2009 2:13 pm
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
I mean leadfree and leaded solder don't mix. If you used leaded solder, you have to "wash" the tiip, before using the tip for lead free. Otherwise the soldering becomes hard because the different tinsdagon wrote:I think the biggest reason for not mixing leaded and lead free solder is because the unit will not comply with the RoHS directive. I've not heard that the two could cause separation (I've been wrong before... ) Leaded solder would probably be a good option for repair work on a ~ten year old motherboard.turboscrew wrote:As such, the capacitors are somewhat easy to exchange, but it would be good to first find out if leadfree solder is used.
Leaded and leadfree solder shouldn't be mixed, because they tend to separate from each other making a bad contact.
Leadfree solder needs a bit higher temperature and I recommend a flux pen too.
tend to repel each other.
Exactly.I think he meant that the symptoms would be a bit different if it would be the cap near the CPU.Sylspace wrote:OK, so according to you, the processor is probably the reason why my PC doesn't work correctly... I should find an old one easily on the Web (a second-hand one, of course)
The hardest part is de-soldering the old capacitor in a way that leaves the holes open. Soldering in a new one is much easier.None of us buy that. If you can visually inspect a PC motherboard and come up with a plausible candidate for repair...In all cases, I should put another capacitor (but, to me, electronics=chinese )
It's called soldering what we do for electronic repair.: I hope I'll be able to weld a simple capacitor !!!
I'm pretty sure you can pull it off. I suggest you practice the operation on a scrap PC board first.
Also, remember to use Low ESR capacitors.
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
Thanks for all your answers
For the solder I have, I verifyed and it contains lead : I think I'll try with it, but ...
Thanks once again for all your involvement : I really enjoy this forum
We are a strange specie, but that's not the strangest thing that french people can doYou French people have holidays in strange places
OK, thanks : I can see that Google translate isn't my friendIt's called soldering what we do for electronic repair.
Yeah, I had ever seen this thread after searching ; I tryed and it worked once, but now, when I write "help", the same problem occurs indefinitely.As for the error "error setting up gfxboot" here is one thread about it that could help. I've never come across it myself.
For the solder I have, I verifyed and it contains lead : I think I'll try with it, but ...
Thanks once again for all your involvement : I really enjoy this forum
- turboscrew
- Level 4
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2009 2:13 pm
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
If you run into problems, the flux-pen probably helps, and remember, the lead free solder melting point is a bit higher than the old standard 60/40 leaded solder.For the solder I have, I verifyed and it contains lead : I think I'll try with it, but ...
Some more info:
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/bespoke/bespo ... solder.jsp
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
Hello world
I think I solved the problem !
When I tryed to boot on the PC which worked pretty good with xubuntu, I had a quite similar error : after verifying all my RAM bars one per one, I discovered that one probably was the cause of this bug. After removing it, Xubuntu worked perfectly (but was quite slow with only 256 Mbytes !).
So, I thinked that it could be the origin of the problem on the other computer : I only put a 128 Mbytes bar and it now seems to work with SliTaz Livecd
Actually, all bugs I had may have been made by a simple RAM bar ; that's even more strange because I had already verifyed if the problem didn't come from there
So, I only will hve to buy more RAM (it's a bit limited vith 256Mbytes), but I believe that it will be harsh to find SDRAM ... Maybe in the dumpster
Have a good night !
I think I solved the problem !
When I tryed to boot on the PC which worked pretty good with xubuntu, I had a quite similar error : after verifying all my RAM bars one per one, I discovered that one probably was the cause of this bug. After removing it, Xubuntu worked perfectly (but was quite slow with only 256 Mbytes !).
So, I thinked that it could be the origin of the problem on the other computer : I only put a 128 Mbytes bar and it now seems to work with SliTaz Livecd
Actually, all bugs I had may have been made by a simple RAM bar ; that's even more strange because I had already verifyed if the problem didn't come from there
So, I only will hve to buy more RAM (it's a bit limited vith 256Mbytes), but I believe that it will be harsh to find SDRAM ... Maybe in the dumpster
Have a good night !
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
Hm... Maybe you could poke it a bit with the soldering iron!?Sylspace wrote:...discovered that one probably was the cause of this bug. After removing it...
Actually, sometimes you can get a bad connection from oxides and whatnot on the tabs.
You could try this:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showt ... p?t=116237
- turboscrew
- Level 4
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2009 2:13 pm
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
If you don't find memory, you could maybe try puppy-linux (wary-puppy)?
http://puppylinux.com/
It can run on very old HW.
http://puppylinux.org/wikka/MinimumSystemRequirements
From http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=63547
RAM recommendations
64MB RAM -- Bare minimum
Recommend turning off ROX-Filer, just use JWM, no extra applets,
background apps, use full installation, keep multi-tasking down, no
wallpaper, when using SeaMonkey, keep number of open tabs down. Also
needs a paging (swap) device.
128MB RAM -- Practical Minimum
User should use care with multi-tasking, needs a paging (swap) device.
Full install on fast media would be better install option.
256MB RAM -- Desirable Minimum
User should be happy with 'normal' computing, whatever that means.
Paging device highly recommended.
http://puppylinux.com/
It can run on very old HW.
http://puppylinux.org/wikka/MinimumSystemRequirements
From http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=63547
RAM recommendations
64MB RAM -- Bare minimum
Recommend turning off ROX-Filer, just use JWM, no extra applets,
background apps, use full installation, keep multi-tasking down, no
wallpaper, when using SeaMonkey, keep number of open tabs down. Also
needs a paging (swap) device.
128MB RAM -- Practical Minimum
User should use care with multi-tasking, needs a paging (swap) device.
Full install on fast media would be better install option.
256MB RAM -- Desirable Minimum
User should be happy with 'normal' computing, whatever that means.
Paging device highly recommended.
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
Hi
Yes, I had already seen this version and it would probably work ... But I would prefer a heavier distribution like Mint (maybe an old version), as possible based on Debian (because I usually use APT, it's really convenient), that's why I'll try to find more RAM soon. And Mint's so beautiful ...
More, I already have a light Linux, which is SliTaz (and it works perfectly), but it's really ... light, and I imagine that's the same for puppy.
I tried Mint 10 with only 256 Mio RAM yesterday Let's try, its funny ! It doesn't work at all ! I imagine that 512 is the minimum
@dagon : I tried to clean my bar with a eraser, but it does not seem to work ... never mind.
(I see that the discussion came far from the original topic )
Yes, I had already seen this version and it would probably work ... But I would prefer a heavier distribution like Mint (maybe an old version), as possible based on Debian (because I usually use APT, it's really convenient), that's why I'll try to find more RAM soon. And Mint's so beautiful ...
More, I already have a light Linux, which is SliTaz (and it works perfectly), but it's really ... light, and I imagine that's the same for puppy.
I tried Mint 10 with only 256 Mio RAM yesterday Let's try, its funny ! It doesn't work at all ! I imagine that 512 is the minimum
@dagon : I tried to clean my bar with a eraser, but it does not seem to work ... never mind.
(I see that the discussion came far from the original topic )
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
I have not tried an erasor and never will. I use only pure isopropyl alcohol and an ESD appropriate applicator to clean any computer connectors. But, I have that stuff handy. Good for you salvaging dumpster and landfill wannabes. You can build some serious computer equipment if you are lucky with the stuff that uneducated people through out.I tried to clean my bar with a eraser, but it does not seem to work ... never mind.
- turboscrew
- Level 4
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2009 2:13 pm
Re: Problems because of a capacitor ?
I second that!homerscousin wrote:You can build some serious computer equipment if you are lucky with the stuff that uneducated people through out.