Why are eproms so touchy

GameRoomKid

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I just took the eproms out of my SH and there were a few that were bent all to hell. I tried fixing them but one ended up breaking off. I'm ordering 2 new sets. Are they suppose to be jammed into place like mine where? I had to use a screwdriver to pop them out. :confused:
 
You will have better luck using a eprom removing tool. BTW you can solder a new leg on that chip and it will work perfect
 
EPROM's usually have pretty strong legs, since it's assumed they'll be recycled a few times, but if they're mishandled during their life, the legs can get bent up a bit over time. You really have to take care removing *any* chip from a socket to avoid damaging the legs. If you use a screwdriver, lift each end up a bit at a time to avoid bending the legs too much on either end, and make VERY sure they're all lined up and straight before reinstalling. I see more damage during reinstallation than I do during removal, personally.

I keep dead EPROM's around to pull legs off of when the leg breaks off some other chip - I salvaged one Galaga board in that fashion; must have replaced 8 legs at least on the various custom chips, where the legs had just rotted off...

Alternatively, if you don't have the finesse to solder a replacement leg onto the chip - put it in a socket, and just connect the damaged leg to the respective leg of the socket, and put the newly socketed chip into the existing socket - a good idea for fragile chips even when the legs aren't broken.
 
You have to be patient when removing and installing them, that's the mistake that most people make when working with them, not a simple quick job you must pay attention to what your doing and take your time, if you get in a hurry that's when you start bending and breaking legs off.
 
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