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Repair guide

Reseat socketed chips and clean oxidised legs

Older machines use socketed chips whose legs oxidise and creep out. Reseating chips and cleaning the legs can bring a computer back with no soldering.

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Memory · Medium · about 60 minutes. Worth doing. Reports say this fix helps on many machines.

You are in the right place if: The machine is dead, shows garbage or has random crashes that move around.

Before you start

  • Chips can be static sensitive. Ground yourself.
  • Do not pry chips with screwdrivers; use a chip puller.
  • Check notch orientation before power on; a reversed chip can be destroyed.

Board revisions and models

Some chips are soldered. Only reseat chips that are in sockets.

Parts you may need

Tools

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Step by step

  1. Power off and unplug Disconnect power and any peripherals.
  2. Photograph the board Take photos of all socketed chips and their notch directions.
  3. Mark orientation Note which end each chip's notch points.
  4. Lift chips gently Use a chip puller to lift each chip evenly, working from alternate ends.
  5. Inspect the legs Look for oxidised or bent legs.
  6. Clean the legs Wipe legs with isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush.
  7. Clean the sockets Blow out the sockets and clean with a swab.
  8. Straighten bent legs Straighten gently with a flat tool and fit one row at a time.
  9. Refit chips Check orientation and press the chip fully into the socket.
  10. Test Power up and test the machine.

Tips, tales and maybes

Found in write-ups and forum threads. These are other people's reports, not tested by us.

  • Maybe (Low confidence). Photograph every chip's orientation before touching it. General technique, no source.

Sources

We wrote this one from general technique and have no source to credit for it yet. Treat it as a starting point, and read or watch a guide for your exact model before you begin.

Boards and models vary, so check what is in front of you. A repair can involve hot tools, chemicals and, on some machines, dangerous voltages. You do it at your own risk.

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