On Tuesday 10 Aug 2004 02:42, James Knott wrote:
Chris Carlen wrote:
Sid Boyce wrote:
If memtest runs for a long time error free, then booting up to init 3 and throwing some compiles at it to see if it will freeze. The last 3 problems I had on 3 boxes, were memory, CPU that wouldn't run at advertised speed and CPU fan. Memory failures are common because the guys handling PC spares know nothing about ESD and assume that if they don't touch the chip legs, it's safe and will smugly tell you they have never caused damaged - till I tell them I've taught and audited ESD for over 25 years and they'd be fired if they handled the DIMMs that way in the factory where they are made. I have about 10 dead sticks lying around here. Regards Sid.
Yeah, nothing pisses me off more than cavalier attitudes about ESD. And people think if it works it aint broke, which is false. It could have suffered injury that will dramatically shorten the lifetime, but it seems to be fine now. Or certain device parameters might not meet spec only at thermal extremes. Or a low-noise OP amp works fine except has 10x the spec noise. The list is long of what can go wrong other than outright death.
ESD is serious business, though few outside of the semiconductor industry really appreciate it.
I've often worked with ICs, over many years and take precautions, such as wrist strap etc. I also place the chip on a low ESD mat, in a puddle of alcohol. The alcohol not only reduces the chance of static, but also cleans the pins, prior to soldering.
Hope you use an NON Torchable type alcohol could be fun if not one spark and bingo out goes the 911... Pete -- Linux user No: 256242 Machine No: 139931 G6NJR Pete also MSA registered "Quinton 11" A Linux Only area Happy bug hunting M$ clan PGN