Subj : Re: USB lock up - poo!
To   : Barry Martin
From : Ky Moffet
Date : Mon Oct 26 2020 18:42:00

BARRY MARTIN wrote:
> Hi Ky!
>   KM> Yeah... I wouldn't expect the logfile to be written.
> OK, so seems a Southbridge problem is being confirmed.

Sadly.

>   KM> Assuming it's the caps, but yeah, and the real fault, at least
>   KM> per what I found re mine, is a design flaw in the Southbridge
>   KM> circuit that cooks the capacitors. So replacing 'em would work
>   KM> for a while, but eventually they'd fail again.
>   
> And probably can't replace with larger values as wouldn't physiclly fit.
> Using ribbon cable to run to a 'capacitor card' would take care of the
> size problem but probably cause a timing issue.

Ya know, that's an interesting thought... so you're saying you can use a 
larger capacitor in the same spot? Hmmm....

No need for a card, if you're replacing caps that don't want to fit at 
the original height, just put 'em up on legs (longer wires soldered into 
the holes). I've actually seen that done. Looks like aliens marching 
across the board. :) In fact the loose caps I've seen have long enough 
wires to do this. Use a bit of plastic straw as an insulator, if bare 
wires are a problem.

>   KM> Well, mine got repurposed to what it CAN do... was sad to retire
>   KM> it from everyday use but I kinda needed the whole thing to work!
> 
> Yes: "perfectly good except for".  LIS I can't think of a non-critical
> usage here which still takes advantage of the multi-core/higher speed
> CPU.  Maybe NAS? I'm a bit concerned about the Southbridge-controlled
> read/write to hard drives.

Yeah, does seem kinda iffy for that. But as repurposed mine rarely 
writes a file other than whatever internal housekeeping linux does, and 
if it gets bogified, no one cares. No longer a critical system, just a 
handy one.

> 
>   KM> Hopefully the New! Improved!! PCs will do the job better for a
>   KM> long time...
>   
> Hopefully!  ...Did see a MSI motherboard being offered the other day on
> a Shell Shocker special -- I did perk up but right now too many other
> projects going on to check out its details, especially which (Intel) CPU
> to get.  Quite sure more will be available .

Didn't notice that one, but haven't been paying attention as not really 
in the market at present. In fact I haven't finished moving from Cash to 
Silver II. Grrr... I hate moving house....
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