VOGONS


386 PC crashes on some games

Topic actions

Reply 20 of 26, by uniQ

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
Pickle wrote on 2025-08-20, 22:41:

I’d think I’d try using metal tweezers or a needle to try bend the metal back before using tin foil and wire

One contact just completely broke off, so there is nothing to bend back. I will try to desolder the damaged pins only and insert new ones.
Will report back if that worked.

Am386DX-40+FasMath, TVGA8900D-R, SB2.0
i486DX4-100, CL-GD5428VLB, PicoGUS+WP32McCake
MMX 233, S3 ViRGE/DX, Voodoo, SB16+Dreamblaster
K6-III+ 570, GeForce 2 Ti, V2 SLI, SB16+Dreamblaster
P2-450, V3, SBLive
P3-S 1,4 Tualatin, GF6600GT, SB Audigy 2ZS

Reply 21 of 26, by Pickle

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member
uniQ wrote on Yesterday, 18:53:
Pickle wrote on 2025-08-20, 22:41:

I’d think I’d try using metal tweezers or a needle to try bend the metal back before using tin foil and wire

One contact just completely broke off, so there is nothing to bend back. I will try to desolder the damaged pins only and insert new ones.
Will report back if that worked.

what desolder tools do you have access to? (earlier posts sounded like you didnt have any soldering tools)
if you have a pump or braid you should be able to get the whole socket off (flux helps). But take your time and keep retrying if all the solder doesnt clear. Get it the point where the pins wiggle in the vias. The ground pin is usually the hard one and might need more heat applied and for a longer time.
Another way to make the pin removal easier is chopping up the plastic bits with sharp cutting pliers. Once the plastic shell is gone its pretty easy to pull the metal bits from the via and then use braid to clear the vias.

Reply 22 of 26, by Nexxen

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t
Pickle wrote on Yesterday, 19:15:

what desolder tools do you have access to? (earlier posts sounded like you didnt have any soldering tools)
if you have a pump or braid you should be able to get the whole socket off (flux helps). But take your time and keep retrying if all the solder doesnt clear. Get it the point where the pins wiggle in the vias. The ground pin is usually the hard one and might need more heat applied and for a longer time.
Another way to make the pin removal easier is chopping up the plastic bits with sharp cutting pliers. Once the plastic shell is gone its pretty easy to pull the metal bits from the via and then use braid to clear the vias.

He has nothing. Not even a multimeter.
Being socketed he can only try to connect it to the Vss of another chip, MacGyver style.

PC#1 Pentium 233 MMX - 98SE
PC#2 PIII-1Ghz - 98SE/W2K

"One hates the specialty unobtainium parts, the other laughs in greed listing them under a ridiculous price" - kotel studios

Reply 23 of 26, by Pickle

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member
Nexxen wrote on Yesterday, 19:25:

He has nothing. Not even a multimeter.
Being socketed he can only try to connect it to the Vss of another chip, MacGyver style.

something changed cause he was going to desolder the pin.

Reply 24 of 26, by Nexxen

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t
Pickle wrote on Yesterday, 20:55:
Nexxen wrote on Yesterday, 19:25:

He has nothing. Not even a multimeter.
Being socketed he can only try to connect it to the Vss of another chip, MacGyver style.

something changed cause he was going to desolder the pin.

Probably forgot about it.
Well, nothing changed.

The funny thing is that it's not a difficult repair, but we all want it done and 100% running. The beauty of this place 😀

PC#1 Pentium 233 MMX - 98SE
PC#2 PIII-1Ghz - 98SE/W2K

"One hates the specialty unobtainium parts, the other laughs in greed listing them under a ridiculous price" - kotel studios

Reply 25 of 26, by uniQ

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
Nexxen wrote on Yesterday, 19:25:
Pickle wrote on Yesterday, 19:15:

what desolder tools do you have access to? (earlier posts sounded like you didnt have any soldering tools)
if you have a pump or braid you should be able to get the whole socket off (flux helps). But take your time and keep retrying if all the solder doesnt clear. Get it the point where the pins wiggle in the vias. The ground pin is usually the hard one and might need more heat applied and for a longer time.
Another way to make the pin removal easier is chopping up the plastic bits with sharp cutting pliers. Once the plastic shell is gone its pretty easy to pull the metal bits from the via and then use braid to clear the vias.

He has nothing. Not even a multimeter.
Being socketed he can only try to connect it to the Vss of another chip, MacGyver style.

That's not entirely true. I do have a very basic soldering iron and a simple desoldering pump.
With those, I can at least handle the most essential repairs myself.
But I lack the experience and patience for more complex work.
I'm just afraid of causing even more damage. 😁

Am386DX-40+FasMath, TVGA8900D-R, SB2.0
i486DX4-100, CL-GD5428VLB, PicoGUS+WP32McCake
MMX 233, S3 ViRGE/DX, Voodoo, SB16+Dreamblaster
K6-III+ 570, GeForce 2 Ti, V2 SLI, SB16+Dreamblaster
P2-450, V3, SBLive
P3-S 1,4 Tualatin, GF6600GT, SB Audigy 2ZS

Reply 26 of 26, by Nexxen

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t
uniQ wrote on Today, 09:01:
That's not entirely true. I do have a very basic soldering iron and a simple desoldering pump. With those, I can at least handle […]
Show full quote

That's not entirely true. I do have a very basic soldering iron and a simple desoldering pump.
With those, I can at least handle the most essential repairs myself.
But I lack the experience and patience for more complex work.
I'm just afraid of causing even more damage. 😁

I totally forgot about that. Well, no harm done 😀

You could exercise on some other boards, if you have any broken/dead stuff.
I did it and improved. Also, many videos on YT detail how to do soldering and desoldering.

You are in no haste, and haste gives you a free ticket to Mistakeland.

Personally I'd stick a wire from broken pin to another Ground and check if it works, adding some insulation to avoid shorts.
you don't need to desolder for a test. My last 2 cents.

PC#1 Pentium 233 MMX - 98SE
PC#2 PIII-1Ghz - 98SE/W2K

"One hates the specialty unobtainium parts, the other laughs in greed listing them under a ridiculous price" - kotel studios