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Solved Capacitors

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Gummo

PCHF Member
Mar 10, 2024
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#1
I took my graphics card out for cleaning. I'm embarrassed to say that, due to my clumsy re-insertion, two capacitors have broken off the motherboard. Not expecting the machine to boot up, I was relieved when it did and seems to be in full working order.

Should I be concerned about the capacitors - what do you imagine might happen over time in their absence?
 

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#3
The OP has been advised of the below elsewhere;

You do not say what the make and model of the motherboard is - however even if you did, it is most unlikely that anyone on this site will know what the function of those capacitors is.

To stand any chance we need the make and full model of the board - and a screenshot from a camera image showing exactly where those two capacitors are on the board.

Without any doubt some function of the board - will NOT now be working, as that circuit where the capacitors were is of course NOT NOW a circuit.
Click to expand...
 
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#7
Those capacitors wouldn't be there just because they looked good - they would have a function dealing with power.
Removing them has broken at least one circuit where power can now no longer flow, so something, somewhere will not be working - a USB port, a PCI slot, a motherboard fan header - who knows.

Like a Water Tower
One way to visualize the action of a capacitor is to imagine it as a water tower hooked to a pipe. A water tower "stores" water pressure — when the water system pumps produce more water than a town needs, the excess is stored in the water tower. Then, at times of high demand, the excess water flows out of the tower to keep the pressure up. A capacitor stores electrons in the same way and can then release them later.
Click to expand...

Without those caps, your mobo now doesn't have that capability of controlling the flow of power through the circuitry - as to how harmful this is, I guess you'll have to wait until something goes pop!
 
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#8
Whatever may be broken is something that I don't use - maybe the second monitor socket or other input sockets. 36 hours after the event and no effects from the trauma so far. I'm going to pluck up the courage to learn how to remove the board and get those caps replaced ASAP.

Thanks very much for your time and knowledge.
 
#9
Good luck with the project.
Any local electronics store will sell those caps - just take those ones in and they'll be able to match them up.
We have Jaycar here in Oz, not sure what your equivalent is in the UK.

And anybody half decent with a soldering iron will be able to put the new ones on.
Worst case, you're up for a new mobo, if so, about $AUD200 for something slightly above average.
 
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#12
Bruce said:
Plenty of videos on the web.
It's actually fairly easy in itself, it's just all the other bits that get in the way and you have to unplug to get to the motherboard.
Take your time and if unsure - ask. :)
Click to expand...
Thanks for your encouraging advice - I'll give it a shot. Jus tmake sure i know how to reverse out. o_O
 
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