Rom labels washed off and window is exposed

MKplayer1start

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Hey guys I washed this pcb and a couple labels washed off and the rom window is exposed. Obviously I'm gonna Put a new label on them but is there any chance the data on the roms are corrupted now from the window being exposed? I always wondered how it worked, does light damage or corrupt roms?

I gotta setup a test bench in my garage tomorrow and will test the pcb.

f539c0c1.jpg
 
you should be fine as frizz said, most chips no longer have their labels on anymore as they fall off real easy or get replaced with other chips ect...

Looks like a MK board, you making the labels up yourself in paint/photoshop? i started making templates for replacing those labels a few months ago but have been slacking on finishing.
 
I was told it would take a very long time (months) of direct sunlight to erase the data
 
Good info to know guys thanks. Always wondered.

Ya it's a MK1 pcb. For some reason the wife has one of those handheld label makers. Works good and prints the perfect size for roms
 
Just cut a small piece of electrical tape and cover 'em up. No biggie.
 
If you washed it with the chips on, you had better be sure it is 100% dry before applying power. There is likely a lot of water underneath sockets and such.
 
You know, nintendo didnt even bother to cover the windows on theirs and look how many are still working. Like mentioned, I would be more concerned about the water that is still trapped under the chips and sockets. I use a shop air compressor to blow it out. You will be surprised how much water is hiding on there.
 
yeah, not everyone has the luxury of those bathroom blow dryers like I do at work. lol

I suppose a hair dryer could do the same thing. if you got an air compressor I'd blow out underneath the sockets first. then dry.

not entirely sure why you washed an MK board. but whatever. just make sure it's _thoroughly_ dry first.
 
UV erasable eproms need can only be erased
by exposure to high concentrations of UV light.

The average household light bulb has no UV at all
(.. or very very small trace amounts ).
Certainly never enough to erase an eprom.

Even in direct sunlight, it would take 3-4 weeks of constant exposure
to start to cause erasure problems.

... So don't worry about your label... ;-)

Steph
 
Like everyone has said you should be fine, if you want to put foil tape on them like the pros get some aluminum tape meant for ductwork (NOT DUCK TAPE!) and use pieces of that, one roll will last you a lifetime.
 
not entirely sure why you washed an MK board. but whatever. just make sure it's _thoroughly_ dry first.

it was deertay :D

I need to wash my Altered beast once i figure out what the issue is with the sound on it, got a nice sheet load of dust on it :D
 
Uncovered is ok - the boards spend their time in a dark cabinet. The practical reason for labeling them is if you remove them you know where they go. I use a brother labeller. I have the one that connects to a computer and wastes very little tape. I include the socket location on the label.


Bill
 
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