The defective capacitor in the power supply unit or possibly on the motherboard?
The defective capacitor in the power supply unit or possibly on the motherboard?
Symptoms:
A]
I struggle to complete the process of creating an image of my operating system using True Image. Even with just 20% to 75% usage, my hardware frequently shuts down completely or displays a generic error message. I’ve been using this version of the system for about thirty attempts to secure it. Previously, I ran chkdsk c: /f and the system remained stable for hours without any new hardware connected. I also updated the cable and slots for connecting my Blu-ray disc, which is now used as a bootable device.
B]
Recently, I’ve faced repeated difficulties turning on the entire system. Instead of full power, only a faint activation occurs—lights and fans briefly engage for about a second or half a minute. This echoes past issues with damaged capacitors in both my power supply and motherboard.
C]
Over roughly a month, one of my wireless keyboards has been experiencing problems charging its removable battery. Typically, the power flows via a USB-C cable from the motherboard to the monitor, then through a USB-mini cable to the keyboard. However, removing the monitor and using only a USB-to-motherboard connection also caused the charging issue. This symptom might be coincidental, but it seems the keyboard is malfunctioning.
What are your thoughts? Could this be related to a damaged capacitor in the PSU or on the motherboard?
Update your update with complete hardware details and operating system information.
Provide PSU specifications: make, model, wattage, age, condition (original, build, refurbished, used), and any history of heavy use for gaming, video editing, or bit mining.
List disk drive specifications including make, model, capacity, and current usage level.
After the next successful boot, immediately access Reliability History to review any error codes, warnings, or events preceding the image failures.
Identify the intended target device for the image.
If possible, broaden the Reliability History view to include all relevant data.
Capture two screenshots—showing the initial weeks and subsequent days—and share them via imgur (www.imgur.com).
Do you have...
Update your message with complete hardware details and operating system information.
Provide PSU specifications: make, model, wattage, age, condition (original, build, refurbished, used), and any history of heavy usage for gaming, video editing, or bit mining.
List disk drive information including make, model, capacity, and current usage level.
After the next successful startup, immediately access Reliability History to identify any error codes, warnings, or events preceding the image failures.
Clarify the intended target device for the image.
Expand the Reliability History window to view all relevant data. Capture two screenshots—showing the initial weeks and subsequent days—and share them via imgur (www.imgur.com).
Ask if another functional keyboard is available for testing on this machine, or if it can be tested elsewhere.
Check whether the issue originates from the keyboard itself or remains tied to the computer.
Also, try using the keyboard without any charging connections active, and ensure it is independently charged when the host system is idle.
I don’t know exactly what to focus on—this doesn’t seem like a suitable situation for that tool. I use True Image from a bootable disc without ever accessing the system. While inside the system, the hardware doesn’t suddenly shut down.
I’ve already tried several alternatives, and none of them have caused any issues before.
Now I’m not sure anymore. It could be my main keyboard is handling the cancellation and power cuts. But that wouldn’t explain why the machine still fails to start.
I’m already working on a solution. If I succeed, I’ll point out the problem; if not, I’ll try your suggestions one by one. For now:
- After a few hours of cooling, the system had trouble using the "push of power" signal. This reminds me of my previous capacitor issues.
- The external GPU wasn’t disconnected properly—its cable wasn’t linked to the modular PSU or the riser from the motherboard, and it didn’t fix the problem quickly.
- Flipping the PSU upside down and then back didn’t help; only repeated attempts to turn on worked.
- I managed to capture a system image just before a near-failure (error after less than 5%).
- If problems arise again after a night of cooldown, I’ll try using a paperclip to bypass the power button wire in the front case. If this doesn’t work, it will point more clearly to the motherboard.
- I realized now that the USB-C cable only talks to the monitor, not the motherboard, which might explain why the initial error occurred.
This situation seems to be a coincidence.
Well, there were no issues; for the past five days. Could it be that a capacitor in the PSU was addressed with a delayed adjustment? Still, the PSU is operating under a temporary condition and will ultimately stop functioning to supply the system.
Failed capacitors don’t resolve on their own. Whether delayed or immediate, there’s always a chance something was misplaced and a short was repaired.
It’s impossible to determine the cause. This situation shouldn’t be treated as a fixed issue.
= = = =
System specifications?
We have no idea what actions were taken during the "maneuver, etc." or how the PSU predicted the problem.
Without full knowledge of the system and the power supply’s behavior, any guesses are likely to fail.
Keep in mind that PSUs deliver three voltage levels (3.3, 5, and 12) to different components. An issue with one of these voltages can lead to boot failures—speakers may beep, LEDs flash, fans spin, and the entire PSU might stop working.
Sometimes, a warning signal appears before the complete failure.
But still, occasional failures are inevitable.
Are all important data backed up? At least two copies, stored separately from the affected system, should be recoverable and readable.
It has been more than a month since the issue resolved, possibly due to a complete dust removal preventing a short circuit.