Editing Atari 800XE Capacitor Replacement Guide (section)

== Visual Inspection & Failure Signs ==

Before starting, examine all electrolytic capacitors on the mainboard for:

* '''Bulging or domed tops''' — indicates internal gas pressure from electrolyte breakdown.
* '''Leaking electrolyte''' — brown, green, or white crust around the base or leads. Can corrode PCB traces.
* '''Discolouration of the PCB''' beneath or around a capacitor — a sign of past leakage.
* '''Random resets, video glitches, or audio hum''' — often the first symptoms of dried-out or high-ESR capacitors, even if they look visually fine.

If any capacitor shows visible signs of failure, it is strongly recommended to replace '''all''' electrolytic capacitors on the board as a preventive measure.