I popped the top on an Atari Pokey

ArcadeTechGW

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Donor 5 years: 2012, 2022-2025
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I took the top off an Atari Pokey C012294B-01 from AMI. It was failed. I was hoping I could validate my tin whisker theory.

I failed.

I put the chip into a vise longways, and then used a wood chisel to lift the top. It worked remarkably well.

The chip legs are embossed into the top - literally - and probably glued in. I started at each end, and when I saw legs lifting, then I used the chisel just in that area to separate them from the top as it lifted.

When the top lifted, it seemed to pull the die for the chip apart. None of the microwires are present.

Here are the pictures.

IMG_7037.jpgIMG_7039.jpg

Still, it's interesting to look at.
 
I had always assumed that a chip package was crammed with components end to end inside, and I've seen a couple of these types of pics now that have shown me that the only reason the IC packages are as big as they are is to make room for all those legs that have to get to the tiny chip die in the very middle. It seems most of the housing is just to hold the legs. Very interesting.
 
Nice! Have a pic of the top of the chip before you removed it?

Would be nice to see the chip info & date code that corresponds to this particular die.

Not suggesting yours is a fake, but will help document what a legit one looks like vs. a fake with similar markings for future reference.
 
Nice! Have a pic of the top of the chip before you removed it?

Would be nice to see the chip info & date code that corresponds to this particular die.

Not suggesting yours is a fake, but will help document what a legit one looks like vs. a fake with similar markings for future reference.
1749994141025.png

Sure, here you go!

I'm not 100% sure what the two strips are. They could be Kapton tape, but I'm not sure how I could verify that.
 
Was that strip to the right kapton tape? Was it embedded in with the chip?
If you look at this picture of the inside of the chip top, you can see that was embedded in the top.

I'm not 100% sure it is Kapton, but it probably is.

Does someone know how I could test this to verify it?Pokey inside top.jpg
 
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