Faulty capacitors are causing video failure and periodic system shutdowns in some Apple G5s. The red arrows points to several swollen capacitors on the back of this new iMac. (Not all of the capacitors are bad). When functioning properly, capacitors temporarily store electrical charges and release them as needed. After the problem crops up, the system log shows the problem as a “Graphic Chip Error.” The only way to fix the problem, according to Apple, is to replace the mid-plane.
A technician working under contract with Dell between December 2004 and April 2005 took this close-up of two leaky capacitors inside a Dell Optiplex GX270.
Computer repairman Paul Kamberis began encountering faulty capacitors in February. This shot shows an Intel D865GBF motherboard found in MPC (formerly Micron PC) and other white-box computers. The faulty capacitors all have the letter “X” stamped on the top.
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Previously, Bill was an IT manager in the social research and energy industries. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisville, where he has also lectured on computer crime and crime prevention.
