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Damaged pin in Blitter socket
Posted: 02 Sep 2025 17:47
by ijor
I was probing the clock signal on Blitter, and it seems I applied too much pressure and I inserted the probe tip too deep in the socket. As a consequence of this, it seems I might have damaged one or two pins at the Blitter socket. Blitter was working just before, now not anymore, at least in this socket (I have no easy way to test the chip somewhere else).
Attached a couple of high rez pictures. Please let me know your opinion if the two pins at the center of the row seem bent. If so, is there a more or less simple way to fix the bent pins?
BlitterSocketDamage-3.jpg
BlitterSocketDamage-2.jpg
Re: Damaged pin in Blitter socket
Posted: 02 Sep 2025 17:52
by DoG
This maybe? Remove the blitter first of course.
Re: Damaged pin in Blitter socket
Posted: 02 Sep 2025 17:55
by exxos
DoG wrote: 02 Sep 2025 17:52
This maybe? Remove the blitter first of course.
+1
Yes 2 socket pins look bent in. Done the same myself in the past with scope probes.
Re: Damaged pin in Blitter socket
Posted: 02 Sep 2025 18:37
by ijor
Ok, thanks for confirming. Yes, I will remove the chip first. No problem.
What kind of pin to use, though? The pin that comes with smartphones to open the SIM slot is too thin, I guess? The tip from an old multimeter probe?
exxos wrote: 02 Sep 2025 17:55
Done the same myself in the past with scope probes.
Feels good to know I'm not the only one! :)
Re: Damaged pin in Blitter socket
Posted: 02 Sep 2025 19:01
by exxos
I use these types of pins
viewtopic.php?p=16093#p16093
Meter probes be way to big.
Re: Damaged pin in Blitter socket
Posted: 02 Sep 2025 19:01
by dml
I have used very fine engineering tweezers for this - but a fine needle on both sides can work. Just be careful to lift the pin diagonally don't lever it upwards or it will be worse.
Re: Damaged pin in Blitter socket
Posted: 02 Sep 2025 19:23
by rubber_jonnie
DoG wrote: 02 Sep 2025 17:52
This maybe? Remove the blitter first of course.
+2, but then that is my post :)
Re: Damaged pin in Blitter socket
Posted: 02 Sep 2025 19:39
by ijor
dml wrote: 02 Sep 2025 19:01
Just be careful to lift the pin diagonally don't lever it upwards or it will be worse.
Not sure I understand why to lift the pin at all. In my case the pins are bent towards the edge, too close to the socket plastic. Or at least so it seems. Don't I need to insert a small needle at the top and try to push the bent pin towards the center of the socket?
Re: Damaged pin in Blitter socket
Posted: 02 Sep 2025 19:53
by dml
ijor wrote: 02 Sep 2025 19:39
Not sure I understand why to lift the pin at all. In my case the pins are bent towards the edge, too close to the socket plastic. Or at least so it seems. Don't I need to insert a small needle at the top and try to push the bent pin towards the center of the socket?
I could be wrong (just going from what I see in the image above and what i have seen myself when it happened) - but it looks like the pin may be slightly squashed/folded.
The pin is something like this shape, viewed from the side.
Code: Select all
ic pin
__ |
/ | |
| | | plastic
| | |
` | |
| |
These pins can get squashed from the IC side and restoring the shape can involve getting something behind the front face (on the left) and pulling it left or diagonally up - but not up. And very carefully.
You'll need to inspect it closely and figure out if that's the case or not - hard to tell for sure from that image alone - but it happens quite easily and if it is squashed, moving it back into position won't contact the IC properly.
Re: Damaged pin in Blitter socket
Posted: 02 Sep 2025 20:09
by ijor
dml wrote: 02 Sep 2025 19:53
The pin is something like this shape, viewed from the side.
Ah, I see now. Great description and explanation. Many thanks!
Now I need to find something with some kind of hook shape, I guess ...
You are saying this as if those pins are very common and sold at the supermarket. But looking at that picture I have no idea exactly what is it or where to get one. Yeah, I get the kind of shape ... Or simple bend some wire to make some kind of hook shape?
May be a logic analyzer hook/grabber? But those with an actual hook shape (I have a few) seem too big :(
PS: Please excuse my total ignorance in the matter! :)