Hi!

I bought a Philips DVP 642 DVD player in December 2005, and 2 months
shy of 2 years, it failed

This sort of thing is completely inexcusable. I suppose it's brought on by
cost, or at least I hope so, given how many years have gone by since the
electrolytic plague took place. This computer (see the sig) is running on
all of its original electrolytics, as is the Deskpro EN a few places down
and many other devices. The EN runs some of its 'lytics a little bit warm to
the touch, but it's still going. It runs 24/7.

This machine also spends a large amount of time powered on, and was used as
a server prior to falling into my possession sometime in 2002.

I tried to save a 16-port SMC ethernet switch after it started acting up.
One of the electrolytics was blown up, but a replacement did not restore
normal operation. My guess is that damage to the other circuitry had taken
place.

So it *can* be done. I suppose the only reason it doesn't always work out is
due to cost and the odd defective unit.

William
--
Brought to you by an IBM PS/2 9585-0XF, "Defiant"
AMD 486-133/64MB/2GB S/N 23HN457