Bad capacitor

If you have used your computer long enough, you might have connected with it. So normally when the computer slows down or always freeze up, you might suspect it to be infected with virus or malware.

This would be the normal reaction. You then scan the computer with antivirus and spyware software and computer comes out clean. But it’s still the same, so what’s wrong? Time to open up the computer casing, look at the main board, check to see if you have bad capacitor.

What is the function of capacitor? A capacitor stores electric energy which charge and discharge. It can be used like a temporary battery but for this instance, for the main board, it provides a stable current so that the main board would have enough electricity to run smoothly.

So when a capacitor is faulty the top part would normally bulge or split open with brownish liquid at the top or bottom of the capacitor. Electricity then would sometime flow and stop in a split second through the capacitor, and as it is faulty and cannot hold the charge, your computer freezes up a few moment or in a bad case, jammed.

Other parts of the computer that uses capacitors are external graphics card and power supply unit. Might have to check on those component too.

Check to see if you still have warranty (some have up to 3 years warranty). If not, either you could try change the capacitor yourself, if you are good with a solder and got nothing to lose. But if not, then should be a good excuse to get a replacement.