"Blinking lights of death" ? Netgear Switch GS108

[Robin Laing]

g wrote:
> Robert L Cochran wrote:
>> On 04/30/2009 02:47 PM, Aldo Foot wrote:
> <snip>
>>> The unit has a blown capacitor, bulged and brown matter around it. Also there is
> <snip>
>> You probably have Chinese- or Taiwanese-manufactured capacitors in that 
>> unit, which are not as reliable as Japanese-manufactured capacitors. If 
>> you search the net you will find lists of known-unreliable capacitor 
>> manufacturers.
> 
> robert, aldo,
> 
> if you run a google search for 'bad caps' or 'bad capacitors', you will find
> a large hit score.
> 
> most of hits will relate to a stolen recipe for capacitors that was missing
> all ingredients.
> 
> it is primarily in asian countries and mainly lower level companies.
> 
> this hit mainly with mainboards and power supplies, along with other hardware
> that use low cost capacitors.
> 
> this problems has pretty well ended, but when you make repair, do use a high
> quality brand. radio shack does not fall with in high quality definition.
> 
> order from a local supplier, or a well know catalog supplier. small adds in
> back of electronic magazines do not qualify.
> 
> also, be sure you check diodes as caps are known to take them out also.
> 
> when you clean board, be sure you get all of crud off board and hope that
> no hidden corrosion has started.
> 
> yes. i am a 'hardware head' and i have seen this problem, even with an abit
> mainboard of my own.
> 
> much luck.
> 
> 
> 

I just had a Dell computer fail due to capacitor issues.

I use DigiKey for my parts as they are fast and reasonable.  They don't 
carry all types of parts though.

As for spending the money and time to fix a low cost switch is not worth 
it except for experience.

Search the net for electronic tutorials.  There are many.  Also look in 
the second hand stores for home electronic kits.  I found one for my 
daughter that uses springs to join the wires.  Teaches basic electronics 
without all the hassle of getting parts.

There are simulator circuits available and they are getting easier to 
use.  Fedora 11 will have a software group for electronics.  :)

I purchased a Nerdkit for learning about microcontrollers.  Not a bad 
investment.

-- 
Robin Laing