Re: [tlug] apparent hardware problem(s) -- but where?: Bulged capacitors on motherboard are common

[jep200404 <jep200404@example.com>]

Lewske Wada wrote:

> If your PC hangs and often shuts down automatically,
> that should be caused by the broken power supply unit with
> big inside capacitors bulging/ruptured after many years of use.
> (or in rare cases the same thing on the mainboard)

Bulged capacitors cause no end of grief, and they are common 
on motherboards. I've seen many more bulged capacitors on 
motherboards than in power supplies. 

One can replace bad caps. 

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

Also check to see that all the fans work and 
that none of the heat sinks are clogged with dust. 

> Better you stay assured by buying a new ATX power supply
> (and ASUS motherboard) with Japanese good electrolytic capacitor
> products.

Many of my Dell desktop PCs have power supplies with the fan 
and screw holes in novel locations so that finding a 
replacement power supply from someone other than Dell is 
difficult. Hopefully the Dimension series is less proprietary. 
Good luck.