Green IDE A1200 port

Nostromo · 04 April 2013, 17:08

Today I got myself an A1200, seems to be working fine (even the IDE port), considering that some of the IDE pins are green/black O_O with what looks like gunk.

I have taken a look at the traces and they seem fine to me. What's this green stuff, and more importantly which is the best way to remove it (safely)?

Thanks!

Just noticed some caps next to the IDE port are leaking

johnim · 04 April 2013, 17:48

hi that is indeed the caps leaking

they need replacing

Nostromo · 04 April 2013, 18:27

Does it mean it is too late though? I notice some of the green stuff is now on the tracks on the surrounding area.

johnim · 04 April 2013, 18:52

no you should be ok but they need replacing

for cleaning look here

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?p=876235

Nostromo · 04 April 2013, 19:05

Thanks for the link - I looked at that thread and its way over my head though

johnim · 04 April 2013, 19:17

wash it with IPA (Iso Alcohol) to remove/neutralize the capacitor residues that may get leaked.

Nostromo · 04 April 2013, 19:21

How do I apply Iso Alcohol? With some cotton?

roy bates · 04 April 2013, 19:27

just tip it on and use a toothbrush to scrub it up lightly,then mop it up with a cloth dont worry too much it evaporates.

Nostromo · 04 April 2013, 19:49

Ah ok, cheers!

Umm sorry, is Iso Alcohol same as surgical spirit?

kipper2k · 04 April 2013, 20:16

similar, both should work. One thing i noticed when the caps leak over the pins on the ide connector is that the pins themselves become weak and will sometimes come out when you unplug the cable from the header so if you notice the ideport acting up in the future it will mean removing the header completely, cleaning up the pads and replacing it.

Nostromo · 04 April 2013, 20:22

Stupid question.... When cleaning the motherboard with iso, should dark areas in tracks become light in color similar to the rest of the track? I am asking because I tried and the color didn't change.

ajk · 04 April 2013, 20:54

It sounds like the leakage has somehow got in underneath the solder resist (green surface layer). Somewhat uncommon if it's just capacitor leakage and not battery leakage. Could you take some good close-up photos of the situation? Would be easier to see what is going on.

Nostromo · 05 April 2013, 13:06

Today I showed the motherboard to a technician at work. He says that the green stuff on the IDE connector is not leaked capacitors but oxidization due to storage in a humid place, he has now cleaned the board thoroughly and it looks pretty clean except for where it has reached some areas on the tracks, but he says it is going to be ok anyway. Next week he will replace the caps anyway.

04 April 2013, 17:08	#1
Nostromo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The World! Posts: 454	Green IDE A1200 port Today I got myself an A1200, seems to be working fine (even the IDE port), considering that some of the IDE pins are green/black O_O with what looks like gunk. I have taken a look at the traces and they seem fine to me. What's this green stuff, and more importantly which is the best way to remove it (safely)? Thanks! Just noticed some caps next to the IDE port are leaking Last edited by Nostromo; 04 April 2013 at 17:42.

04 April 2013, 19:49	#9
Nostromo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The World! Posts: 454	Ah ok, cheers! Umm sorry, is Iso Alcohol same as surgical spirit? Last edited by Nostromo; 04 April 2013 at 19:56.

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04 April 2013, 17:48	#2
johnim Amibay Mod/Staff Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: birmingham uk Age: 48 Posts: 1,019	hi that is indeed the caps leaking they need replacing

04 April 2013, 18:27	#3
Nostromo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The World! Posts: 454	Does it mean it is too late though? I notice some of the green stuff is now on the tracks on the surrounding area.

04 April 2013, 18:52	#4
johnim Amibay Mod/Staff Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: birmingham uk Age: 48 Posts: 1,019	no you should be ok but they need replacing for cleaning look here http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?p=876235

04 April 2013, 19:05	#5
Nostromo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The World! Posts: 454	Thanks for the link - I looked at that thread and its way over my head though

04 April 2013, 19:17	#6
johnim Amibay Mod/Staff Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: birmingham uk Age: 48 Posts: 1,019	wash it with IPA (Iso Alcohol) to remove/neutralize the capacitor residues that may get leaked.

04 April 2013, 19:21	#7
Nostromo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The World! Posts: 454	How do I apply Iso Alcohol? With some cotton?

04 April 2013, 19:27	#8
roy bates Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: birmingham Age: 55 Posts: 2,827	just tip it on and use a toothbrush to scrub it up lightly,then mop it up with a cloth dont worry too much it evaporates.

04 April 2013, 20:16	#10
kipper2k Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Thunder Bay, Canada Posts: 4,323	similar, both should work. One thing i noticed when the caps leak over the pins on the ide connector is that the pins themselves become weak and will sometimes come out when you unplug the cable from the header so if you notice the ideport acting up in the future it will mean removing the header completely, cleaning up the pads and replacing it.

04 April 2013, 20:22	#11
Nostromo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The World! Posts: 454	Stupid question.... When cleaning the motherboard with iso, should dark areas in tracks become light in color similar to the rest of the track? I am asking because I tried and the color didn't change.

04 April 2013, 20:54	#12
ajk Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 1,341	It sounds like the leakage has somehow got in underneath the solder resist (green surface layer). Somewhat uncommon if it's just capacitor leakage and not battery leakage. Could you take some good close-up photos of the situation? Would be easier to see what is going on.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

05 April 2013, 13:06	#13
Nostromo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The World! Posts: 454	Today I showed the motherboard to a technician at work. He says that the green stuff on the IDE connector is not leaked capacitors but oxidization due to storage in a humid place, he has now cleaned the board thoroughly and it looks pretty clean except for where it has reached some areas on the tracks, but he says it is going to be ok anyway. Next week he will replace the caps anyway.