Have you tried all three VLB slots? Even individually and with only one VLB device?

Ydee wrote on 2021-09-21, 12:14:

Have you tried all three VLB slots? Even individually and with only one VLB device?

Oh, yeah! Tried all three slots with multiple cards, even thoroughly cleaned the contacts... but... no go.
Also, forgot to mention, tested various RAM modules, both SIMM 30 and 72 pin. Not that it would have anything to do with this problem but... had to try it. 😀

Are the pins in the slots all ok? Not sure from the photo, but it looks like there might be a couple out of position?

[edit: there also looks to be something over a couple of traces coming from the chipset, maybe a surface scratch?]

The chipset traces are fine, it's just a bit of dirt.
However... regarding the VLB extension slots, DAMN! You're absolutely right! How could I have missed it?! I must be going blind. 😁
The one up top is just scratched plastic, but there are actually a lot of damaged pins which are not even visible in these pics and some of them are shorting at the bottom of the slot. Ouch... 🙁
Worst of all, all 3 slots have this issue. Thanks a lot, PC Chips! 😀
Many thanks for the heads-up! 😀

I have multiple M912 boards and the VLB slots are fine on all of them.

A previous owner must have damaged the slots.. probably with a card that didn't have beveling on the edge connector.

I don't know... I compared them with those on other VLB boards that I have, and they seem much more flimsy.
But, yeah, I agree... It does seem like someone tried really hard to destroy them. 😁

bloodem wrote on 2021-09-21, 13:00:

The chipset traces are fine, it's just a bit of dirt.
However... regarding the VLB extension slots, DAMN! You're absolutely right! How could I have missed it?! I must be going blind. 😁

I've had too many cases of skipping ahead to the most complicated/interesting way something can break, only for it to turn out to be something dumb (e.g. 'Have you checked the fuse?'), that I'm slowly learning to check the quick and simple things first.

The one up top is just scratched plastic, but there are actually a lot of damaged pins which are not even visible in these pics and some of them are shorting at the bottom of the slot. Ouch... 🙁

Spotting a problem that can't even be seen? Obviously intuitive genius and not at all a lucky guess. Not at all.
Surprised that it's all 3 slots, but I can just imagine someone mashing a card in to the first slot, mangling some contacts, then wondering why it didn't work, then trying it in the next slot. Repeat until broken.
Have fun fixing them all, hope it still works.

snufkin wrote on 2021-09-21, 16:16:

I've had too many cases of skipping ahead to the most complicated/interesting way something can break, only for it to turn out to be something dumb (e.g. 'Have you checked the fuse?'), that I'm slowly learning to check the quick and simple things first.

Don't I know it... Somehow I also always go the complicated route first. 😁

snufkin wrote on 2021-09-21, 16:16:

Have fun fixing them all, hope it still works.

Oh, these are impossible to fix, the damage is too extreme, so I'm not even going to bother.
When I find the time, will just remove the slots with the hot air station and swap them with good ones from other damaged boards that I have lying around. Never replaced VLB extension slots before, so it will be a first for me. 😁 I did replace AGP and memory slots in the past, so this shouldn't be much different.

On the picture there isn't anything that's impossible to fix. You just need good light, magnifying glass, needle and lot of patience. I would try to separate shorted pins first and try to get at least one VLB slot working - one that is easiest to fix. If you can't then chipset may have been shorted.

bloodem wrote on 2021-09-21, 13:00:

[...] but there are actually a lot of damaged pins which are not even visible in these pics and some of them are shorting at the bottom of the slot. Ouch... 🙁
Worst of all, all 3 slots have this issue. [...]

😀

I had to remove the entire VLB slot to fix a single mangled contact, there was just no way of doing it without desoldering... so I agree, better to just replace the slots if you have the tools to do it.