Ethernet Hub Repair

[dcr]

Can ethernet hubs be repaired?  Over the years, I've had a number that basically stopped working.  Lights still worked and all, but no network connection.  Wasn't cables or computers because swapping out the hub fixed the problem.  I remember one time, I had a hub that worked for years.  Finally stopped networking.  Swapped it out for the same model and brand and the new one worked for a week or two before it too stopped working.

Anyone know what might go bad and if components (capacitors maybe?) can be replaced to get them working again?  I don't know where one would start to diagnose the problem.  Would be nice to put them back to work again if they are repairable.

 

[cruff]

I've had hubs go bad before, they would loose individual ports.  Since I had other unused hubs available, I never bothered to try and diagnose it.

I also have had switches from Linksys/Cisco and Dell fail due to power supply issues.  I replaced the bad capacitors and they worked again.  However the symptom there was the entire switch didn't work or failed self test.

 

[trag]

AC adapter failure is probably the most common cause of small hub failure.  The hub is  fine.  Its brick is sick.     There are also probably caps on the hub's circuit board that eventually need replacing.  I opened up an unreliable D-link 10/100 switch and there were a bunch of diseased electrolytics on the thing.

 

[techknight]

Other thing you need to look out for are the isolation transformers, make sure they are still good and not open circuit from port to port. They love to go pop especially with surges/lightning. I have fixed alot of dead NICs over the years that way.