Re: Unexpected reboot problem - Possible sollution -

From: Bill Wolff (wolffsoftnospam_at_nospamnetzero.net)
Date: 03/02/04

  • Next message: CJT: "Re: Unexpected reboot problem - Possible sollution -" 
    Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2004 16:38:34 -0600

    Sounds like we are talking about electrolytic capacitors! Well I
    have news for you! These electrolytic capacitors has been this way
    long before computers ever came about.

    As they are one of the most expensive capacitors one can buy
    (although they can store huge amounts is what makes their cost
    reasonable). And age really effects them greatly. As I seem to
    recall from my engineering experience that they are generally good
    for about 5 to 10 years and they evidently dry out and become
    worthless. If you fire one up when they are bone dry (or near), they
    can indeed explode!

    I don't know anything about cheap vs. high quality electrolytic
    capacitors, but I do know there isn't one on the market that can
    last forever. As they all die in a matter of time. It is just their
    nature and current technology can't change this. And currently, I
    don't know what we can replace them with that would be cost
    effective. Although some electrolytic capacitors can indeed last far
    longer than 10 years. Although the following may explain this.

    Now I do know that sometimes that engineers will push the voltage to
    the limit. As electrolytic capacitors have a voltage limit which is
    declared on the electrolytic capacitor. Pass this limit and the
    capacitor will have a short life! Maybe this is what is happening.
    As the higher voltage they are capable of, increases the cost of
    them tremendously (and thus why they are costly).

    Well this is just my 2 cents on the matter.

    Bill

    <ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers)> wrote in message news:4044a2b9.338164@news.charter.net...

    Johnny,

    Yes, this is the well-known capacitor problem that plagues mostly the cheap
    brands of motherboards manufactured out there somewhere on the Pacific Rim. In
    some instances, capacitors actually exploded with a loud popping sound.

    ... Ben Myers

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