"cigarette computer"

[EEVIAC]

My mom has had this computer since 2001 or 2002.  She smokes around it a lot.
Its a Gateway Desktop computer with Windows XP Home edition installed. 


Occasionally it shuts down almost immediately after powering it on.  She has to wait a while before trying again and it works, eventually.  I on the other hand will not wait.  I'll remove/install the cmos battery and power the computer back on to make it power up correctly.  I've isolated the problem as much as I possibly can and get figure this out...   I tried a different PSU, used different wall outlets, blew out the dust, reseated the cables.... name it and I've probalby tried it..

All I can think of at this point is that the motherboard is going bad or there is a coat of tar/nicotine on the mboard causing a short...   

Can cigarette tar cause motherboard shorts?   Either way, the motherboard needs to be replaced, I think, unless some genius can figure this out..

[Geek-9pm]

The power supply is the most vulnerable. But you already did that.
Everything has to be cleaned.
Everything. Blowing out dust is not enough. You remove the circuit boards and let them soak in a solvent. Then let them dry completely. At least 24 hours to dry. Preferentially with forced dry warm  air.
Even then, that may not work. Some components can be permanently damaged by environmental contamination.

It is such a chore that it is more cost effective...
to dispose of it and buy a new one.

[BC_Programmer]

have you tried a new battery?

[Computer_Commando]

...Can cigarette tar cause motherboard shorts?...

No.  If anything, it's an insulator and can gum up any moving parts.

[EEVIAC]

The power supply is the most vulnerable. But you already did that.
Everything has to be cleaned.
Everything. Blowing out dust is not enough. You remove the circuit boards and let them soak in a solvent. Then let them dry completely. At least 24 hours to dry. Preferentially with forced dry warm  air.
Even then, that may not work. Some components can be permanently damaged by environmental contamination.

It is such a chore that it is more cost effective...
to dispose of it and buy a new one.

It's quite an old style board, and relatively inexpensive... I'd rather just put another board in.....  I guess

have you tried a new battery?

yep...........put a brand new one in


@ commando, I figured that tar was more of an insulator, but I had to ask           thx

[ale52]

If tar can coat your lungs think of what it will do to your mom's motherboard and the consequences.

Alan <><