Spare parts fan mount for imedia 2426

joecoolvette

• 5660 Answers
• Posted on May 10, 2010

SOURCE: My Imedia 2426 keeps rebooting what can i do to

You're welcome. Glad you found the Comment button, this is the way we communicate.

My contention, is to see if you have bad Electrolytic Capacitors on the motherboard.

Specifically, the capacitors which comprise the Voltage Regulator Circuit.
The Processor on your computers motherboard, must have a regulated certain amount of voltage. Can't be too much, or too little. For a Processor this range is VERY small.

This will require unplugging the computer from power, and observing anti-static guidelines, to start.

Your body carries Static electricity. Static will silently fry out (Short Circuit) the delicate hardware components inside a computer.
If you work on a table, and TOUCH the metal frame of the open computer case, to relieve your body of static. (Again computer unplugged from power)

Should you get up, walk away, then return, Touch the metal frame again.

The second link was to familiarize you with what Electrolytic Capacitors look like, and what they look like on the motherboard.

For a very basic explanation of Electrolytic Capacitor construction, let it simply suffice to state that they are small aluminum 'cans' with Electrolytic Paste inside.

When the capacitor starts to fail, the paste develops a gas. The gas expands inside the aluminum can, and compromises the seals at either end of the can.

Once the seals are compromised, the paste is pushed out of the can. It oozes out. So much paste loss, and the capacitor operates at a weakened state. Too much paste loss, and the capacitor fails.

A little more info on Electrolytic Capacitor construction,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolytic_capacitor

The style of Electrolytic Capacitor used on a personal computer motherboard, (Mainboard), is shown in the lower photo to the upper right of the page.
It is the bottom capacitor example. The Radial design. (Blue capacitor in bottom photo)

There are three strips that are inserted into the aluminum 'Can'.

One strip is metal. This is the Conducting strip, or Positive strip.
One strip is metal, but has a Non-conducting medium applied to it.
This is the Non-conducting strip, or the Negative strip.
The last strip is made of a paper-like medium, and is soaked with Electrolytic paste.

All three strips are rolled up tightly together, the paper soaked with electrolytic paste in the middle.
They are then inserted into the can.

There is a lead (Wire like terminal) that extends out of the can, for the Positive connection. Goes to the Positive strip.
Same for the Negative strip.

The two leads extend through a seal at the bottom of the can.
The seal is composed of a synthetic rubber like material.
It is called a Bung. It is a thin flat disk shape.

The top of the can has a shape that is etched part way, into the can. Etched part way into the aluminum material compromising the can.
The shape is usually an X, or K.

When the gas pressure becomes too great, (Hydrogen Gas), the etched shape at the top breaks open, allowing the pressure to be relieved. The Electrolytic Paste is also pushed out.

Same thing with the Bung at the bottom. One side of the Bung is pushed down out of the can, and paste is pushed out.

The Electrolytic Capacitor may not have reached this point, and the exterior of the can may just be bulged out, or swelled.

I explained the above, in the intent that it may help in visually diagnosing the Electrolytic Capacitors on your motherboard.
May require using a flashlight, and magnification.

Of particular concern, are the capacitors which are in close proximity to the Processor socket. These 'Caps' comprise the voltage regulator circuit for the Processor.

Here is a link to better describe the voltage regulator circuit,

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/616

This link (Same one from the Clarification) gives a good look at the Electrolytic Capacitors which surround, or are in close proximity to the Processor socket,

http://www.capacitorlab.com/visible-failures/index.htm

Take your time looking at the capacitors on your motherboard. Sometimes they don't look bad upon a cursory examination. Takes a close, thorough examination. Compare the 'caps' to each other. Does it seem as though one may be swelled more than others?
All it takes is ONE bad cap in the voltage regulator circuit, and the processor won't turn on, or stay on.

I await your findings. (And any additional questions)