I picked up this board used. It was terribly filthy and had some sort of a
chemical smell. Washed it in soap & water, dried it thoroughly. The smell is
worse.If I touch it, the smell sticks to my hand takes a lot of washing. I am
guessing that it will get worse when the computer runs and spews forth these
chemical fumes.
Is this "normal"?
What may be the health consequences?
In case it is not harmful, does anyone know how to get rid of it?
Should I just cut my losses?
h.godavari wrote in message news:471B692E.2492F022@shaw.STOPca...
> I picked up this board used. It was terribly filthy and had some
> sort of a
> chemical smell. Washed it in soap & water, dried it thoroughly. The
> smell is
> worse.If I touch it, the smell sticks to my hand takes a lot of
> washing. I am
> guessing that it will get worse when the computer runs and spews
> forth these
> chemical fumes.
>
> Is this "normal"?
> What may be the health consequences?
> In case it is not harmful, does anyone know how to get rid of it?
> Should I just cut my losses?
Are the electrolytic capacitors bulging? Maybe they leaked their
electrolyte. Soap won't dissolve the electrolyte. But then washing
won't fix the problem that the capacitors are bad and need to be
replaced (and then the mobo cleaned with something like tuner cleaner
spray).
Motherboards don't smell except for maybe a slight plastic odor. So
you'll have to figure out WHY the mobo smells and WHAT is the source
for the sticky, smelly residue on the mobo.
>I picked up this board used. It was terribly filthy and had some sort of a
>chemical smell. Washed it in soap & water, dried it thoroughly. The smell is
>worse.If I touch it, the smell sticks to my hand takes a lot of washing. I am
>guessing that it will get worse when the computer runs and spews forth these
>chemical fumes.
>
>Is this "normal"?
>What may be the health consequences?
>In case it is not harmful, does anyone know how to get rid of it?
>Should I just cut my losses?
>
>Thanks for your help.
>
>hg.
Whenever I've dealt with a dirty board (haven't had one that smells as
yours does, however) I usually spray it down really good with either
windex or purple power, let it soak, then rinse it off, and repeat as
necessary. Make sure to dry thoroughly of course. I usually put it
in front of a fan for at least an hour.
> h.godavari wrote in message news:471B692E.2492F022@shaw.STOPca...
> > I picked up this board used. It was terribly filthy and had some
> > sort of a
> > chemical smell. Washed it in soap & water, dried it thoroughly. The
> > smell is
> > worse.If I touch it, the smell sticks to my hand takes a lot of
> > washing. I am
> > guessing that it will get worse when the computer runs and spews
> > forth these
> > chemical fumes.
> >
> > Is this "normal"?
> > What may be the health consequences?
> > In case it is not harmful, does anyone know how to get rid of it?
> > Should I just cut my losses?
>
> Are the electrolytic capacitors bulging? Maybe they leaked their
> electrolyte. Soap won't dissolve the electrolyte. But then washing
> won't fix the problem that the capacitors are bad and need to be
> replaced (and then the mobo cleaned with something like tuner cleaner
> spray).
>
> Motherboards don't smell except for maybe a slight plastic odor. So
> you'll have to figure out WHY the mobo smells and WHAT is the source
> for the sticky, smelly residue on the mobo.
I agree . I havenot seen another MoBo like this! The capacitors seem to be ok.
they are not bulging.Unfortunately my washing might have removed any traces of
electrolyte near the "leaky"(?) ones.IS there anyway to test them without taking
them out?
> >I picked up this board used. It was terribly filthy and had some sort of a
> >chemical smell. Washed it in soap & water, dried it thoroughly. The smell is
> >worse.If I touch it, the smell sticks to my hand takes a lot of washing. I am
> >guessing that it will get worse when the computer runs and spews forth these
> >chemical fumes.
> >
> >Is this "normal"?
> >What may be the health consequences?
> >In case it is not harmful, does anyone know how to get rid of it?
> >Should I just cut my losses?
> >
> >Thanks for your help.
> >
> >hg.
>
> Whenever I've dealt with a dirty board (haven't had one that smells as
> yours does, however) I usually spray it down really good with either
> windex or purple power, let it soak, then rinse it off, and repeat as
> necessary. Make sure to dry thoroughly of course. I usually put it
> in front of a fan for at least an hour.
>
> -GV
I will try windex (don't have purple fever :-) ).See if there is any change
otherwise I will have to return the beast. Thanks for your suggestion.
<h.STOPgodavari@shaw.STOPca> wrote in message
news:471BA123.AD3B4E70@shaw.STOPca...
>
>
> VanguardLH wrote:
>
>> h.godavari wrote in message news:471B692E.2492F022@shaw.STOPca...
>> > I picked up this board used. It was terribly filthy and had some
>> > sort of a
>> > chemical smell. Washed it in soap & water, dried it thoroughly.
>> > The
>> > smell is
>> > worse.If I touch it, the smell sticks to my hand takes a lot of
>> > washing. I am
>> > guessing that it will get worse when the computer runs and spews
>> > forth these
>> > chemical fumes.
>> >
>> > Is this "normal"?
>> > What may be the health consequences?
>> > In case it is not harmful, does anyone know how to get rid of it?
>> > Should I just cut my losses?
>>
>> Are the electrolytic capacitors bulging? Maybe they leaked their
>> electrolyte. Soap won't dissolve the electrolyte. But then
>> washing
>> won't fix the problem that the capacitors are bad and need to be
>> replaced (and then the mobo cleaned with something like tuner
>> cleaner
>> spray).
>>
>> Motherboards don't smell except for maybe a slight plastic odor.
>> So
>> you'll have to figure out WHY the mobo smells and WHAT is the
>> source
>> for the sticky, smelly residue on the mobo.
>
> I agree . I havenot seen another MoBo like this! The capacitors seem
> to be ok.
> they are not bulging.Unfortunately my washing might have removed any
> traces of
> electrolyte near the "leaky"(?) ones.IS there anyway to test them
> without taking
> them out?
Although there are probably testers for capacitors, they would be too
expensive for anything but a hardware manufacture to possess in doing
QA on bad or return parts. Once in circuit, the other components
would probably make any testing of a single part improbable. Other
than doing a better clean job on the mobo, personally I wouldn't use
that mobo. If the other suggestion doesn't work, and it is something
you can afford to lose, then I'd try something like car brake cleaner
spray (after testing on a small area). It dries pretty fast but could
possible be too corrosive (to strong for a solvent). I've used gun
cleaner spray but it is definitely strong and will eat lots of
plastic, but it sure works to clean out the bore.
> <h.STOPgodavari@shaw.STOPca> wrote in message
> news:471BA123.AD3B4E70@shaw.STOPca...
> >
> >
> > VanguardLH wrote:
> >
> >> h.godavari wrote in message news:471B692E.2492F022@shaw.STOPca...
> >> > I picked up this board used. It was terribly filthy and had some
> >> > sort of a
> >> > chemical smell. Washed it in soap & water, dried it thoroughly.
> >> > The
> >> > smell is
> >> > worse.If I touch it, the smell sticks to my hand takes a lot of
> >> > washing. I am
> >> > guessing that it will get worse when the computer runs and spews
> >> > forth these
> >> > chemical fumes.
> >> >
> >> > Is this "normal"?
> >> > What may be the health consequences?
> >> > In case it is not harmful, does anyone know how to get rid of it?
> >> > Should I just cut my losses?
> >>
> >> Are the electrolytic capacitors bulging? Maybe they leaked their
> >> electrolyte. Soap won't dissolve the electrolyte. But then
> >> washing
> >> won't fix the problem that the capacitors are bad and need to be
> >> replaced (and then the mobo cleaned with something like tuner
> >> cleaner
> >> spray).
> >>
> >> Motherboards don't smell except for maybe a slight plastic odor.
> >> So
> >> you'll have to figure out WHY the mobo smells and WHAT is the
> >> source
> >> for the sticky, smelly residue on the mobo.
> >
> > I agree . I havenot seen another MoBo like this! The capacitors seem
> > to be ok.
> > they are not bulging.Unfortunately my washing might have removed any
> > traces of
> > electrolyte near the "leaky"(?) ones.IS there anyway to test them
> > without taking
> > them out?
>
> Although there are probably testers for capacitors, they would be too
> expensive for anything but a hardware manufacture to possess in doing
> QA on bad or return parts. Once in circuit, the other components
> would probably make any testing of a single part improbable. Other
> than doing a better clean job on the mobo, personally I wouldn't use
> that mobo. If the other suggestion doesn't work, and it is something
> you can afford to lose, then I'd try something like car brake cleaner
> spray (after testing on a small area). It dries pretty fast but could
> possible be too corrosive (to strong for a solvent). I've used gun
> cleaner spray but it is definitely strong and will eat lots of
> plastic, but it sure works to clean out the bore.
I guess I better find a substitute motherboard for this one. I would not feel
very secure. Thanks for your suggestion.
>I will try windex (don't have purple fever :-) ).See if there is any change
>otherwise I will have to return the beast. Thanks for your suggestion.
>
>hg
Purple power is sold under other names, it's mainly billed as a
degreaser. Some people like simple green, also.
>Although there are probably testers for capacitors, they would be too
>expensive for anything but a hardware manufacture to possess in doing
>QA on bad or return parts. Once in circuit, the other components
>would probably make any testing of a single part improbable. Other
>than doing a better clean job on the mobo, personally I wouldn't use
>that mobo. If the other suggestion doesn't work, and it is something
>you can afford to lose, then I'd try something like car brake cleaner
>spray (after testing on a small area). It dries pretty fast but could
>possible be too corrosive (to strong for a solvent). I've used gun
>cleaner spray but it is definitely strong and will eat lots of
>plastic, but it sure works to clean out the bore.
Good idea on the brake cleaner (try on a corner or something first).
Brake cleaner is basically denatured alcohol, that might be worth a
shot on something like this.
I would NOT suggest carb cleaner, however, as that's flammable
"GlassVial" wrote in message
news:v3hph3h4agpvneaujakvdrmde351j7c298@4ax.com...
> >I will try windex (don't have purple fever :-) ).See if there is
> >any change
>>otherwise I will have to return the beast. Thanks for your
>>suggestion.
>
> Purple power is sold under other names, it's mainly billed as a
> degreaser. Some people like simple green, also.
For degreaser detergent, I find Jungle Jake is excellent. Comes in a
gallon jug so you would have to dilute it (4:1) in a spray bottle.
Abit KV7-V odour 
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