Use the Ebay Buyer Protection program. Saved my ass multiple times.

There is no way to tell for sure that only changing the LM340T5 would fix things, maybe because it shorted inside something else got killed too...
Also the card really needs a cood cleaning before anything else, I see humidity corrosion everywhere...

keropi wrote:

There is no way to tell for sure that only changing the LM340T5 would fix things, maybe because it shorted inside something else got killed too...
Also the card really needs a cood cleaning before anything else, I see humidity corrosion everywhere...

Yes you're right, the card is in pretty bad shape.

Visually, based on the top-side picture, that sound card doesn't look in the best of shape. In my experience, if I can demonstrate to a seller that a product advertised as working is non-operational, they typically give a refund and don't ask for the product back. Let a few others on here provide their feedback, then if you're sure it is a bad card, send a link to this thread to the seller. I bet he or she does the right thing.

I have two of these cards. I noticed heat coming from the regulator on both but it's barely warm. No browning marks on the other side.

Most likely that regulator generates analog +5V for the board from 12V input.
And most likely the regulator is fine, as there could be some fault or short circuit on the regulator output which consumes a lot of current and the regulator will heat up.

Some PCB traces look very rusty, I hope they are not completely corroded away at points.

I think that the voltage regulator was going bad, because of bad capacitors / resistors.. Try to replace every resistor / capacitor around / thats connected to the voltage regulator, and replace also that VRM.

Also the traces on the PCB looks over all bad.

First remove all the dust particles, then try to see the damage.

Robin4 wrote:

I think that the voltage regulator was going bad, because of bad capacitors / resistors.. Try to replace every resistor / capacitor around / thats connected to the voltage regulator, and replace also that VRM.

Also the traces on the PCB looks over all bad.

First remove all the dust particles, then try to see the damage.

The board would be a great refurb project, but the better option is to lodge a Significantly Not As Described claim with eBay and get the $$ back. Sometimes people get their claims decided before being made to return the item, and if the seller doesn't want it back then maybe get to work.

Is the 2230 particularly rare or hard to come by?

Not rare at all, and they actually have one of the best-sounding filters.

I would get in touch with the seller... and tell him that he is a naughty boy!

He should understand and stop being naughty, and if not, eBay will return your payment.

Hi guys, thanks for the help. The seller refunded me. He was really nice. A pitty the soundcard doesn't work.

Nevertheless, I'm going to check capacitors, check any cold welds and see if I can fix it!!
I'll let you know!

The pics are not loading for me right now, but the course of action stands regardless: one bloated capacitor = all of them gone.