Near the CPU
Next to the DIMMS
D'OH! Three capacitors had expanded and leaked onto the motherboard. I figured at the cost of a new motherboard and memory (since my SDR SIMMS wouldn't work in a new DDR motherboard), it was worth taking the chance and replacing these parts. Since they're fairly low tech, the risk of damage to the replacement capacitors or other parts on the motherboard was acceptable compared to the cost of new hardware. So, armed with a soldering iron and desoldering bulb, I took out capacitors for the CPU, memory, and the northbridge.
CPU capacitor removed
Memory capacitor removed notice the dried electrolyte on the board |
Northbridge capacitor removed
Getting them out was easy enough, but Radio Shack didn't stock suitable replacement parts. I took a long lunch and drove down to the French Quarter to one of the local supply houses and got new ones. Not a perfect match, since the ones that came out were 6.3 volt and the replacements were 10 volts, but close enough. I was more concerned about size more than anything. A little tight, but OK.
New memory and northbridge capacitors
Old capacitors
It looked like it should work, and there weren't any complications during the operation, so I put it all back together and lit it up.
Hurray! A successful POST! And it boots too! And no lockups since! For less than five dollars worth of parts, I saved myself a few hundred. And since you are reading this, it must still be working as it is now my home server.