Intel Atom desktop bootloop

[lepden]

I have an Intel Atom desktop here with me. It powers on immediately on connecting the power cable without me pressing the power button. It boots successfully but after sometime it shuts down on its own and after that when I press the power button it powers up for some seconds and then endless bootloop. I thought it was a short in the power button so I disconnected the power button but still the same. Now I'm guess it's a short in the power button ways in the motherboard itself. I can't see any surface mount components burt or corroded and no bulging in any of the through hole caps. How can I go diagnosing this board?

[Samogon]

I would start looking for power rails and local regulators, also look for Vdd pins of ICs google for datasheets.
That will give you voltages required and check ripple presence.

[amspire]

When you say a "bootloop", I am not sure how far it is going, but if it is getting to the point of trying to read the hard drive, I usually boot to a Live Linux DVD or USB stick, and run it for a while in Linux. Might need the old hard drive disconnected. If it runs Linux solidly, then you know it is probably a Windows  or hard drive problem. Open a browser with lots of tabs to use lots of RAM.

If Linux crashes or has bootloops, then it could be a hardware issue.

[lepden]

When you say a "bootloop", I am not sure how far it is going, but if it is getting to the point of trying to read the hard drive, I usually boot to a Live Linux DVD or USB stick, and run it for a while in Linux. Might need the old hard drive disconnected. If it runs Linux solidly, then you know it is probably a Windows  or hard drive problem. Open a browser with lots of tabs to use lots of RAM.

If Linux crashes or has bootloops, then it could be a hardware issue.

By "Bootloop" I meant, Windows shuts down normally by itself as if I've clicked the shut down button from start menu. And then when I press the power button after the shutdown, the pc powers on for 2-3 seconds- that is, no display on the the monitor, just the fan rotates and it cycles endlessly until I unplug the power cord.

[amspire]

When you say a "bootloop", I am not sure how far it is going, but if it is getting to the point of trying to read the hard drive, I usually boot to a Live Linux DVD or USB stick, and run it for a while in Linux. Might need the old hard drive disconnected. If it runs Linux solidly, then you know it is probably a Windows  or hard drive problem. Open a browser with lots of tabs to use lots of RAM.

If Linux crashes or has bootloops, then it could be a hardware issue.

By "Bootloop" I meant, Windows shuts down normally by itself as if I've clicked the shut down button from start menu. And then when I press the power button after the shutdown, the pc powers on for 2-3 seconds- that is, no display on the the monitor, just the fan rotates and it cycles endlessly until I unplug the power cord.

Even if you hold the power button down for 5 seconds? That should shut it down.

[Samogon]

Check bios settings bus speed aka overclocking can do such things. Load default settings.

[stj]

what board is it?

if it's a "Littlefalls" or "Littlerfalls2" then they are known for bad electrolytics.

[lepden]

Check bios settings bus speed aka overclocking can do such things. Load default settings.

I've tried resetting the bios, but no luck.

[lepden]

what board is it?

if it's a "Littlefalls" or "Littlerfalls2" then they are known for bad electrolytics.

I'm not sure but looking at the broad label it seems the model is D945GCLf.

[lepden]

When you say a "bootloop", I am not sure how far it is going, but if it is getting to the point of trying to read the hard drive, I usually boot to a Live Linux DVD or USB stick, and run it for a while in Linux. Might need the old hard drive disconnected. If it runs Linux solidly, then you know it is probably a Windows  or hard drive problem. Open a browser with lots of tabs to use lots of RAM.

If Linux crashes or has bootloops, then it could be a hardware issue.

By "Bootloop" I meant, Windows shuts down normally by itself as if I've clicked the shut down button from start menu. And then when I press the power button after the shutdown, the pc powers on for 2-3 seconds- that is, no display on the the monitor, just the fan rotates and it cycles endlessly until I unplug the power cord.

Even if you hold the power button down for 5 seconds? That should shut it down.

Yes, that is why I thought there was a short in the power button but I tried disconnecting the power button but it's behaving the same which made me to conclude that there is something wrong in the power ways on the board. But I've no idea where and how to test in the board.

[lepden]

It seems this pc will run longer, the longer you keep it without power. I've turned it on just now after keeping it unattended for some days and it is running for about 20 mins without a reboot. What might this mean?

[Samogon]

Explain "without power"? Charger disconnected or shutdown for long time?

[lepden]

Explain "without power"? Charger disconnected or shutdown for long time?

Shut down, all cable disconnected. Still running without problem. Could it be bad electrolytic as mentioned by stj?

[Samogon]

Any difference if it runs with or without charger?
Overheating problem?

[lepden]

Any difference if it runs with or without charger?
Overheating problem?

It's an Intel Atom Desktop.

[stj]

what board is it?

if it's a "Littlefalls" or "Littlerfalls2" then they are known for bad electrolytics.

I'm not sure but looking at the broad label it seems the model is D945GCLf.

GCLF = LittleFalls.
https://www.cnet.com/products/intel-desktop-board-d945gclf-essential-series-motherboard-mini-itx-micro-atx-intel-atom-230-i945gc-series/specs/

[lepden]

what board is it?

if it's a "Littlefalls" or "Littlerfalls2" then they are known for bad electrolytics.

I'm not sure but looking at the broad label it seems the model is D945GCLf.

GCLF = LittleFalls.
https://www.cnet.com/products/intel-desktop-board-d945gclf-essential-series-motherboard-mini-itx-micro-atx-intel-atom-230-i945gc-series/specs/

Ok, thanks. Could you direct me to which components should I replace? Shall I just replace all the aluminium electrolytic caps on the board? Since none of it looks bulgy.

[stj]

there are a bunch of GF series near the middle of the board next to some regulators/fets from memory.
GF are known to be crap and fail without external signs - they also cant take heat!

[lepden]

there are a bunch of GF series near the middle of the board next to some regulators/fets from memory.
GF are known to be crap and fail without external signs - they also cant take heat!

Oh. You meant the four Samxon branded caps?

[stj]

that's the ones.
i think i used poly's to fix mine - i'd need to check.

[lepden]

that's the ones.
i think i used poly's to fix mine - i'd need to check.

Thanks man, I'll search for the parts and replace them and report back

[lepden]

that's the ones.
i think i used poly's to fix mine - i'd need to check.

I can't seem to find the exact rated caps. Could you tell me how you fixed yours? I'm pretty new to electronics so excuse me for asking but what did you mean by GF? Does mean gigafarad? If so, do you mean all 1000uf caps fail without any sign?

[stj]

samxon GF series.

i replaced the 4 using polymer caps from Würth
1000uf 6.3v PTG5 series,
and
180uf 16v PT5H series.

[lepden]

samxon GF series.

i replaced the 4 using polymer caps from Würth
1000uf 6.3v PTG5 series,
and
180uf 16v PT5H series.

Ok. So it's ok to replace it with a lower voltage rating? I too have some Sanyo branded 1000uf 6.3v.

[james_s]

No, you need to use capacitors with an equal or greater voltage rating to the original parts.