Acer Aspire M1641

Non-named motherboard from late 00s mATX PC available in multiple configurations, usually shipped with Vista or Windows 7, intended for home use. Motherboard appears with the same PCB in multiple other component configurations on other late-2000s Aspire M desktop PCs, however study may be non-transferrible.

Uses nVidia nForce 7050 chipset, known to reject some normally-valid configurations.

Causes

 * Total RAM added exceeds 4GB
 * RAM exceeds 2GB per DIMM
 * Total RAM exceeds 3GB (under certain bios configurations)
 * RAM rated speed is too high

Solutions

 * Reduce total RAM
 * Use matched DIMMs
 * Use a 1GB DIMM and a 2GB DIMM, please fill out info if you can identify which bios setting causes this
 * Try DDR2-800 RAM, the system may fail to boot if the RAM reports being too capable in some cases

Causes

 * The nForce 7050 chip's limited PCIe stability and compliance is affecting your new expansion device
 * Capacitor degradation is causing the device to be rejected

Solutions

 * Use a different expansion device
 * Recap

Disassembly Notes
CR232 clock battery is held in with a spring clip that may be live if the battery has charge.

Expansion cards are installed, from factory, using a metal bar which will usually be sharp.

Front drive cage is positioned in a way where it may be necessary to remove all internal drives before removing the motherboard, if there is any obstruction this is greatly recommended as the factory drive installation points will cause the drive to hit a leak-danger cap near the floppy port, or (on lower chance) three leak-danger caps next to the RAM slots.

Possible leak-risk caps
AE caps which are at particular danger of leaking Measurements with an asterisk are gleaned through measurement, rather than manufacturer specification, and may be imprecise.

Problem Cap Replacements
PREFER ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC IF UNSURE

''Two of the Panasonic 1800uF capacitors (EC4 and EC11) are crammed closely together. It is not recommendable to change these preventively either way, though particularly much due to difficulty matching electrical specs with a capacitor which will fit.''

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