OT: I need a new motherboard.

[Randallw]

It wasn't a real problem as I planned to buy a new computer anyway. I was just stringing out the old one for another month or two. It still works but is very loud and they said it could drop dead any day. My mother just wondered if someone we know could refurbish it as a second computer, well third, or something on the cheap.

[Suicide Junkie]

Pfah. Loud just means a $2 fan is getting old.
Listen for which one and replace it if you don't like the noise, or just wait until it stops and then replace it.

Electronics make no noise at all unless they're going "PZZZERT!"

"They" just want you to drop a thousand bucks in their laps.

[Spoo]

I agree with Suicide Junkie. According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague), the symptoms of bad capacitors have nothing to do with a noisy fan.

* Not turning on all the time; having to hit reset or try turning the computer on again

* Instabilities (hangs, BSODs, kernel panics, etc.), especially when symptoms get progressively more frequent over time

* CPU core voltage or other system voltages fluctuating or going out of range, possibly with an increase in CPU temperature as the core voltage rises

* Memory errors, especially ones that get more frequent with time

* Spontaneous reboots

* In case of on-board video cards, unstable image in some video modes

* Failing to complete the POST, or rebooting before it is completed

* Never starting the POST; fans spin but the system appears dead

[Fyron]

Well, an increase in CPU temp would lead to an increase in fan speed, thus noise... but yeah, its right about the last thing on the list relating to blown capacitors.

[Randallw]

Well they said the capacitors were leaking a chemical. If I had any idea what the capacitors were I could check. I am not a techie but I know someone who is. He would be the one to refurbish the computer if I had any idea it could just have something replaced (he lives in another state though and only visits). If he takes a look he'd easily tell me if it was the case or not. Not really worth the risk of being caught I'd think. We have pretty strict laws here about defrauding people. I don't know what it's like elsewhere.

It also was rattling, which they say is the Video card. They said because of it's design it couldn't be changed, which seemed odd to me. I always thought you could change video cards. I had no idea they got hard wired or something. I'm sure you all have something to say about that. anyway it was meaningless since I intended to get a new video card for a new computer.

I don't consider myself stupid. Naturally it occurred to me that it was suspicious, but I thought why bother. I told them I was buying a new computer in the future. If they had any intent to trick me they miss out on billing me to fix it, then selling me a new one later.

You'll have to excuse me, even face to face with someone I do not register friendly kidding or stuff. Maybe you mean to imply I was tricked or you're making cynical about sellers. I don't know.

I thought I had cleared up a problem whereby it would reboot itself randomnly, and I was wondering why the power supply flashed all night while the computer was turned off. Did I forget to mention that bit? There was also the mysterious increase in our power bill.

I thought about it and I don't feel I was fooled, but I could be wrong. There are maybe other aspects I can't think to mention. Anyway I feel less hurt that I could have been fooled than the insinuation that I am a fool. I don't know perhaps I am just overly sensitive.

[dogscoff]

I don't think anyone was putting you down Randall, they['re just suggesting that the diagnosis you've been given may be wrong.

If I had any idea what the capacitors were I could check. I am not a techie but I know someone who is ... he lives in another state

Do you have a digital camera? Take some pics of the offending hardware and send them to your friend. Maybe the damage will be evident from a visual examination (but maybe not- gotta be worth a try though). Hell, post them here, we'll take a look.

[Randallw]

I realised that, somewhat. I can find it difficult to understand humour sometimes so when I feel insulted I try to find out what's happening instead of getting angry. I have a friend who seemed to be jokingly blaming me for ruining everything for everyone last week. Now I didn't really care but the idea that he was trying to make me feel bad hurt more.

Actually I had the same thought earlier. I was looking at the inside of the old computer and I thought

"What I need to do is take a few photos and someone can tell me what's what"

I just took a few but I'm not very good with it and also my editing software is on the old HD waiting to get an external mount. Sure I could try to get a good picture or hunt down the disks but it's getting late. Thanks for the offer though.

of course I did fail to bring up the sparking system and reboots before.