Removing Agnus chip, what a %#$%!

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Got a Megachip recently from a seller on Amibay, also picked up one of those cheap-o PLCC extractor tools.  Was super-excited to put it in but that darn tool wouldn't work worth a %#% - just kept slipping out and scratching the top of the chip, or making awful crunching sounds when I'd try to squeeze it in around the edges.    Finally gave up on that, pulled the motherboard, flipped it over, stuck a driver in those two little holes and tapped it with a hammer till Agnus popped out.  Little did I know that those two holes didn't actually line up perfectly with the holes in the socket so I wound up chipping the base of the socket, but it seems like minor damage and the Megachip went in fine and works great with no issues.  PLCC - what a terrible design, however!  

[Methuselas]

I logged in, just to see these pics. That makes me sad. Poor Girl.

[AmigaClassicRule]

I logged in, just to see these pics. That makes me sad. Poor Girl.

Hey meeee too!! :biglaugh:

[Damion]

Some extractors fit better than others, if the legs of the tool don't actually slip all the way under the chip, they'll do that. It's super annoying.

I've also had luck using the tool to gently lever the chip a slight amount one side at a time, until it comes loose.

[koaftder]

Screwdrivers and PLCC sockets don't mix. You're lucky you didn't split the corners.

[bbond007]

Screwdrivers and PLCC sockets don't mix. You're lucky you didn't split the corners.

If you go split the corners you can repair the damage with 4 small wire ties.  Connect them together to form a square. Slip that over the Agnus and then tighten the ends. Put a small dab of superglue on each corner to make it impossible for ties to pop off.

I did that to my A500 that I damaged and another A2000 MB that someone gave me.

[GadgetUK]

If you go split the corners you can repair the damage with 4 small wire ties.  Connect them together to form a square. Slip that over the Agnus and then tighten the ends. Put a small dab of superglue on each corner to make it impossible for ties to pop off.

I did that to my A500 that I damaged and another A2000 MB that someone gave me.

Lol, clever idea.  Personally I prefer to replace the socket.  I've spares if anyone wants to replace theirs.

[GadgetUK]

Got a Megachip recently from a seller on Amibay, also picked up one of those cheap-o PLCC extractor tools.  Was super-excited to put it in but that darn tool wouldn't work worth a %#% - just kept slipping out and scratching the top of the chip, or making awful crunching sounds when I'd try to squeeze it in around the edges.    Finally gave up on that, pulled the motherboard, flipped it over, stuck a driver in those two little holes and tapped it with a hammer till Agnus popped out.  Little did I know that those two holes didn't actually line up perfectly with the holes in the socket so I wound up chipping the base of the socket, but it seems like minor damage and the Megachip went in fine and works great with no issues.  PLCC - what a terrible design, however!  

Yes, those PLCC extractors off ebay are s@@@!  I scratched my 68882 on my 1200 trying to use the dam thing.  Its easier to use the access holes below like you did.  On my 500 some b@@@@@@ glued Agnus onto the base of the socket so the socket came off the board leaving the pins lol.

[zipper]

If you go split the corners you can repair the damage with 4 small wire ties.  Connect them together to form a square. Slip that over the Agnus and then tighten the ends. Put a small dab of superglue on each corner to make it impossible for ties to pop off.

Done - just 2 ties...

[amiman99]

I didn't have any extractor at one time, so I used a small screwdriver, BAD IDEA! I broke off the corner of the socket. One of these days I may change it, but it still works somehow, so there is no rush.

[bbond007]

Done - just 2 ties...

The reason why I suggested 4 was so that they would come together to form the corners...

Actually I think I'm using the wrong term... zip-ties are what I'm thinking of...

Lol, clever idea.  Personally I prefer to replace the socket.  I've spares if anyone wants to replace theirs.

Obviously that is the proper way to fix it, but if you ham-fisted enough to break the PLCC socket then you might be better off doing the zip-tie fix.

[ElPolloDiabl]

Don't just jump in an try to do mods. Get practice on electronic kits.
When something was not going right you should have waited. I can gaurantee you that trying to rush an upgrade will result in something broken.
My recent strategy for unknown equipment was to pull everything apart and then reassemble it, without changing anything.

[bbond007]

Don't just jump in an try to do mods. Get practice on electronic kits.
When something was not going right you should have waited. I can gaurantee you that trying to rush an upgrade will result in something broken.
My recent strategy for unknown equipment was to pull everything apart and then reassemble it, without changing anything.

I don't know if they make an agnus upgrade practice kit...

Also, if my memory serves right, I had just broken the A500 with a screwdriver so I knew how delicate those sockets were. When I upgraded the 2000 I made a tool to extract the chip and that was a success, but that A2000 was extremely brittle and faded (like the MB sat open in the sun for years or something) and the stupid thing cracked on install.

[GadgetUK]

I don't know if they make an agnus upgrade practice kit...

Also, if my memory serves right, I had just broken the A500 with a screwdriver so I knew how delicate those sockets were. When I upgraded the 2000 I made a tool to extract the chip and that was a success, but that A2000 was extremely brittle and faded (like the MB sat open in the sun for years or something) and the stupid thing cracked on install.

Yes, my 500 socket was like that.  With time they become very brittle and can just crumble / shatter.

[koaftder]

The reason why I suggested 4 was so that they would come together to form the corners...

Actually I think I'm using the wrong term... zip-ties are what I'm thinking of...



Obviously that is the proper way to fix it, but if you ham-fisted enough to break the PLCC socket then you might be better off doing the zip-tie fix.

That's a great tip. Wish I would have thought of that last time I ruined a PLCC socket. I ended up removing the socket and soldered the chip right to the board.