Check your PC inside for rust

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Maybe it's time to open your PC's to check if there is rust :eek: on some elements (chokes) of the motherboard, if you have one from Asus - see these photos as examples
34nkyol.jpg

2evrmm9.jpg


more to read @
http://www.semiaccurate.com/2010/01/15/mystery-rusty-chokes/ &
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=113002
 
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I think thats more down to neglience and running it in a moist/damp atmosphere

I used to have issues with corrosion on the ram at my old house and I'd have to clean the contacts to stop BSODs on boot
 
I think thats more down to neglience and running it in a moist/damp atmosphere

I used to have issues with corrosion on the ram at my old house and I'd have to clean the contacts to stop BSODs on boot

semiaccurate says it's due to too high humidity during production process of these chokes, as the moist is inside the chokes
 
anyone read part 2? they took one apart and most of the rust was attached to the laquer, except for what had attached itself to the copper coil, but the iron itself (in its core) didnt look rusted.

Can anyone explain what has actually happened here? I'm guessing its where there is moisture inside, and the iron is rusting, its just occuring where the coil is/outside as thats where it has better conditions? or maybe its something to do with the current running through it? Someone enlighten me please.
 
You guys must have had those parts for years or something, ive got 3 asus boards in 3 machines here, one is brand new but the other 2 are 2 and 3 years old, not a single sign of rust.
 
Same I had a mobo and all its orginal parts for 7 years and its still glowingly good!
Those pics are just stupidly purpose made.
If companys made mobos under moisture conditions, the return rate of faults would cost more than to just clean the air that there made in with a de humidifyier...
so all that is just bull.
 
OK, let me give you a little information on how I understand this...

Chokes are made up of a copper coil, coated in iron. Copper is a good thermal conductor and iron holds electrical charge very well. These chokes are "Ferrite core chokes" so as the name suggests, are ferrous by nature.

Ferrous materials are prone to rust under a few circumstances:

1) High humidity environments (Think hot countries, or PC's that are not properly ventilated)
2) Seaside environments (Salt content in the air from the sea, results in rust.)

Frankly, I see a lot of motherboards (At least 5 different boards a day) since I've worked for ASUS (Nearly 3 years) and I've not seen a single motherboard with this issue. I would expect that nobody else has seen this problem.

Really, this is not something that should be worried about - In the very unlikely event that any of you experience this problem, it will be covered by warranty. If anybody has any concerns, feel free to contact me through TRUST.
 
Just checked my board and they all seem fine.

This wouldnt stop me buying an ASUS board - it is a new problem and Im sure it will be dealt with soon and in the mean time you have DSR to fall back on if needed.
 
This is just Insane!

first if I buy car A it may have a sticking accelerator

or car B dodgy brakes

some even have wonky steering or an airbag fault

and NOW

my motherboard could go RUSTY!!! :eek:

This is just too much i'm going to buy an abacus and live in a cave.



:D
 
Good question.

Most ASUS motherboards come with 8 - 16 phases now, each phase = 1 x Choke.

Higher number of chokes = Better power management = Lower heat = Longer lifespan.

Iron's ability to hold an electrical charge will decrease when rusted, due to it's chemical properties changing, so yes, theoretically it can change the products lifespan and performance for each choke affected.

Does that clarify your question B3mor? :)

As I said above though, for this to happen you really do have to have the system under a specific environment for a period of time.
 
i thought the point of the artical wasnt that it can happen under a certain environment, since i know if i somehow ran my pc in a pond, it would rust. I thought it was pointing out the fact that the laquer which is supposed to stop it happening, clearly wasnt, and as such there must have been a manufacturing problem?

Does the laquer cover the underside of the choke, and is it right up to the copper coil? if thats where some gaps could occur that would explain why its all over the coil etc.
 
Good questions - As far as I'm aware to make those chokes airtight would cause problems with conductivity (Plastic isn't a conductive material) thus a charge wouldn't be held and the chokes would not perform the task they're designed for.
 
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