REPLACING THE PLCC BIOS SOCKET
Replacing the PLCC socket is a piece of cake. It does NOT require any
special tools or equipment other than a soldering iron with a small
tip, needle nose pliers, and a small pair of side cutters.
The following is done AFTER most of the epoxy has been removed from
the socket. Don't mess with the epoxy on the PC board, no need to.
#1- Take the side cutters and cut the socket into at least four
pieces. Smaller pieces will make the job easier.
#2- Take the soldering iron and heat the pins, one at a time, while
removing the heated pin with the needle nose pliers.
#3- When you encounter heavy concentrations of epoxy, take your time
and gently rock the piece of socket back and forth until it comes
loose. Finish removing any remaining pins. Clean the area on the
motherboard of any rosin or clumps.
#4- THIS IS IMPORTANT: Take the soldering iron and add (or remove)
solder to each of the 32 exposed pads on the motherboard so that all
pads have a small, equal amount of solder. What you will end up with
are the 32 pads with very small mounds of solder on each. This is the
solder that will be used when adding the new socket.
#5- Carefully align the new PLCC socket over top the 32 prepared pads.
Hold the socket in place with your finger and apply heat to a couple
of pins to secure the socket to the motherboard. DO NOT APPLY MORE
SOLDER.
#6- Finish soldering the remaining pins. Don't be afraid to melt the
socket at its base as long as you don't melt the sides, although
avoid it if you can. There is no danger of bridging any of the pins
with solder if your soldering iron tip is tiny enough.
#7- Check your work. Use a magnifying glass if necessary and check for
tiny amounts of solder that may have splattered and has attached itself
to the base of the socket that has melted. Remove any debris with an
Exacto Knife if found.
#8- Place the BIOS chip into the socket.
This entire procedure took no longer than ten minutes from beginning
to end. Have fun!
Signed,
Proud Owner
EOM
