Is the Computer Locking Up? Freezing or Restarting Without Notices? It Could be Capacitors Failing.

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Failing Computers: Capacitors

In this lens we will discuss the specific topic of capacitors. No, we will not be rolling out the university of what they are and how the work down to the atom, however, we will discuss their function in a computer and how they cause problems when they fail or are failing.

So, What is a Capacitor? 

Simply......

A capacitor is a component of just about every kind of electrical board in a computer. Its primary duty is to hold a charge for a brief period. They help keep the electrical current steady. You know this as the screen you are viewing is legible and your computer isn't randomly crashing on you.

What Happens When a Capacitor Goes Bad? 

Depends on which one is going bad....

When these little battery like devices go bad, a whole boat load of things go wrong. Below are a few examples. Just remember, not all computer related problems are capacitor related.

Motherboard Capacitors:

The most common capacitors to go bad on a motherboard are the ones that hang around the processor or CPU for short. This is where most of the electrical current is flowing and requires quite a bit of electrical balance. You will likely realize there is something wrong with your capacitors when your system is freezing up, blue screens are occurring more often, and only can use the computer for a set amount of time before it just shuts off.

Power Supply Capacitors:

These bad boys are huge and are common to fail in time. Much like the motherboard, if a power supply is failing, your system may freeze up, randomly turn off without warning, games may not operate correctly. A good example of a failing power supply would be that all is working well, until you access a DVD or CD/ROM. The system may freeze up and/or turn off. When operating graphic intensive games, more power is needed, thus may cause a crash or blue screen.

All capacitors that fail do one or all of the following:

1: Bulge
2: Leak
3: Explode (sounds like a .22 cal going off)

Never touch capacitors without discharging them first. A capacitor can hold enough of a charge to kill you instantly.

Power Supply Capacitors Bulging & Leaking

Top View of Power Supply Capacitors Failing

Motherboard CPU Capacitors Failing

Top View of Motherboard CPU Capacitors Failing

What causes them to fail? 

Capacitor failure can be caused by overheating, age, moisture, static discharge, and/or bad from the factory to being with. They can be replaced with a little solder know-how, however you may find it is just easier and cheaper to replace the entire component that it rests on.

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  • Reply
    BookNow BookNow Dec 10, 2008 @ 7:14 am
    Great lens! 5 Stars!! Please visit my lens and tell me what you think about it!

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  • Reply
    IsraAlien IsraAlien Dec 6, 2008 @ 6:01 pm
    Thanks alot for this lens, i've been breaking my brains on my sister's computer trying to figure out what causes the freezings and restarts. I tried changing the power supply and graphics card and more with no change. didn't think even once to take a glance at the capacitors wich ended up to be the problem
    thanks.
  • Reply
    Reecebullet Reecebullet Aug 26, 2008 @ 2:38 pm
    I am very much into computer's and i am always more then happy to learn something new about them. I am very happy i stumbled across this Len's because i have now learnt something new :) Good work :D

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