WTB:Compaq Presario 4540 Mainboard

[Buzioid]

I have an old Compaq Presario and one of the capacitors on it blew out. I found the casing to it lieng in the case. Does anyone know if i could replace the capacitor, i have done replacements before like this? If not, I am wondering if anyone has one for sale or equivalent that will fit in the case. Thanks
-Buz

[John Prophet]

You can definitely replace the cap...while youre at it look for other caps that may be "bulged out" on the top...if they are bulged, they need to go....also if you took a power surge or lightning strike, check the modem too....soemtimes a messed up modem will keep a system from even booting or showing signs of life (I mean check it after you replace the caps.

If you still have the casing for the cap just look at the value and get one thats close to or a little more....in other words if its 470uf 5 volts then you should be able to get the exact replacement or you could fudge a little like 600uf 12v etc....just dont lower any of the values.

JP

[Buzioid]

I found another motherboard because about 5 caps were bulged out and those things ( I don't know what they're called) that are black with a silvertop with 3 prongs sticking out on the bottom (and get VERY HOT) are also busted because the mainboard is goldenbrown on the bottom and the solder around them is all melted apart.

[John Prophet]

Those things are voltage regulators...and youre probably right, once a board has been thru all that, its probably just time to replace it.

JP