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**LarryTheComputerGuy** · (This post was last modified: 06-15-2017, 01:57 AM by LarryTheComputerGuy.)

I wanted to post this after seeing Brian's new video on Fixing A Computer That Won't Power On"

First off... I am voting YES on the idea of hands on tutorials that you mentioned.

In the beginning of that video you pointed out that one of the first steps... is to check for leaky capacitors. But sometimes they do leak from the bottom and it's hard to detect unless you actually take the capacitor out of circuit and test it. To make this really short, I have a large black-light mounted to my work bench. I will turn all the lights out and look at boards and search for burned spots, burned traces, and other issues on a board. A black-light will also make the clear electrolyte show up as dark purple or sometimes just black.

Just figured I'd throw that in their... Big Grin

I don't have any examples here available to post pictures of, I also forget where I heard of this trick, I don't think it was on YT. Anyway....when I get a board in that has this issue, I will post it here...

**Compton** · 06-15-2017, 02:29 AM

Larry I think you have been watch too much CSI LOL, just kidding Larry thanks for the tip/ trick

**LarryTheComputerGuy** · 06-15-2017, 02:34 AM

lol....Man, I haven't watched that show in a long time Big Grin

**Compton** · (This post was last modified: 06-15-2017, 10:57 AM by Compton.)

ya the funny thing is think about showing a new costumer in the dark with a big black light , all light turn off will probably be scary to no end LOL

I would not do it never know the costumer might start doing karate or fly karate LOL

**Timster** · 06-15-2017, 01:34 PM

That is an interesting point about using a black light Larry.

***Britec*** · (This post was last modified: 06-15-2017, 07:14 PM by Britec.)

You can test capacitors with an in-circuit esr capacitor tester. The video I created is pointed at techs and home user who wants to fix their own computer. The home user is limited to want they can do and it's very difficult putting the two in the same category. The overall diagnosis and fix would be complex in some cases. Its a trade off to try and not make it to complex for home users. Also, there are instances which lead to a dead computer, grounding, power surges, brownouts the list goes on and on.

As a tech, it would be a completely different approach once you get down to possible dead motherboard level. There are loads of variables to take into account and far too many to do in one video.

Age of computer?
Is the computer in a good state or has it been neglected?
Can you get replacement parts? are they new or second hand?
Is the hardware repairable? (Not all tech are cable of this)
Is the repair viable or worth doing?
What is the budget of the customer and how much are they willing to pay?
Time..how much time is it going to take you to diagnose and repair and what's the repair costs to keep the machine running and will the customer pay?

Most hardware can be repaired but is it viable?

Here is an in-circuit ESR capacitor tester there are others out there.

Explaining it like this would be more of a podcast type thing and not a video.

**LarryTheComputerGuy** · (This post was last modified: 06-17-2017, 05:23 PM by LarryTheComputerGuy.)

(06-15-2017, 07:14 PM)Britec Wrote: You can test capacitors with an in-circuit esr capacitor tester. The video I created is pointed at techs and home user who wants to fix their own computer. The home user is limited to want they can do and it's very difficult putting the two in the same category. The overall diagnosis and fix would be complex in some cases. Its a trade off to try and not make it to complex for home users. Also, there are instances which lead to a dead computer, grounding, power surges, brownouts the list goes on and on.

As a tech, it would be a completely different approach once you get down to possible dead motherboard level. There are loads of variables to take into account and far too many to do in one video.

Age of computer?

Is the computer in a good state or has it been neglected?

Can you get replacement parts? are they new or second hand?

Is the hardware repairable? (Not all tech are cable of this)

Is the repair viable or worth doing?

What is the budget of the customer and how much are they willing to pay?

Time..how much time is it going to take you to diagnose and repair and what's the repair costs to keep the machine running and will the customer pay?

Most hardware can be repaired but is it viable?

Here is an in-circuit ESR capacitor tester there are others out there.

Explaining it like this would be more of a podcast type thing and not a video.

Yeah, most hardware repairs are not worth it, but some people get very attached to their computers and devices. they will pay to have it fixed even if it doesn't make sense to us.

An ESR meter makes it a lot quicker... In a lot of cases, capacitors don't have to bulge out or leak to be bad, so they should be tested with an ESR either way.

As far as a blacklight... some of us old guys that were brought up in the 60's and 70's usually have a blacklight of some sort laying around.... Big Grin

Just a little trick I thought of and figured I would post it....

(06-15-2017, 01:34 PM)Timster Wrote: That is an interesting point about using a black light Larry.

It surprised me when I heard about it. Was very useful when trying to diagnose TV Boards... You can see hot spots around components, and burned out traces very clearly...

(06-15-2017, 02:58 AM)Compton Wrote: ya the funny thing is think about showing a new costumer in the dark with a big black light , all light turn off will probably be scary to no end LOL

I would not do it never know the costumer might start doing karate or fly karate LOL

lol@ Compton.... Yeah, I think a customer would think I'm crazy...lol

***Britec*** · (This post was last modified: 06-18-2017, 12:33 PM by Britec.)

You learn something new every day and thanks for sharing, that's what makes techs better techs by sharing knowledge. It's sad we live in a take take world today. I do more than my fair share and I still get crap daily, sometimes I wonder why I bother.

**LarryTheComputerGuy** · (This post was last modified: 06-18-2017, 12:34 PM by Britec.)

(06-17-2017, 10:37 PM)Britec Wrote: You learn something new every day and thanks for sharing, that's what makes techs better techs by sharing knowledge. It's sad we live in a take take world today. I do more than my fair share and I still get crap daily, sometimes I wonder why I bother.

Know what you mean Brian.