The Sinclair QL Forum

I seem to remember that the red processor IC sockets on QL's are problematic.

What was the problems?

I have a QL with a red processor socket, that is inclined to crash intermittently, especially if tapped.

I have reseated the plug in IC's, which did not seem to help. But if I tap around on the board especially near the processor, I get a system crash. But then it suddenly decided it would stop crashing at all, no matter where I tapped it.

Was that the kind of problem the red IC sockets had?

Hi Martin!

In my experience, the problem with the red CPU socket appears after attempting to remove/reseat the CPU, whereby the two 'halves' of this curious design would split apart if you weren't careful when levering out the CPU. The two halves are a nuisance to fit back together as the spring-loaded pin contacts tend to spray apart.

Aside from that scenario, I haven'y myself observed problems in normal use...

martyn_hill wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 12:07 pm Hi Martin!

In my experience, the problem with the red CPU socket appears after attempting to remove/reseat the CPU, whereby the two 'halves' of this curious design would split apart if you weren't careful when levering out the CPU. The two halves are a nuisance to fit back together as the spring-loaded pin contacts tend to spray apart.

Aside from that scenario, I haven'y myself observed problems in normal use...

Hi,
Thanks for that. Maybe what I am remembering is that the sockets fall apart.

Not tested it again today. But it seemed odd that I could tap the board almost anywhere (especially near the processor), and it would crash. Then suddenly it stopped crashing. Maybe heat related.

Martin

Yep, the CPU sockets are terrible and disintegrate at the slightest touch.

I broke mine after taking the CPU out for the second time and ended up replacing it.

That must be a very very powerful Motorola processor!!!

FrancoisLanciault wrote: Sat Mar 01, 2025 3:22 pm That must be a very very powerful Motorola processor!!!

FrancoisLanciault wrote: Sat Mar 01, 2025 3:22 pm That must be a very very powerful Motorola processor!!!

Probably a typo... I guess he meant the 680800

martyn_hill wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 12:07 pm whereby the two 'halves' of this curious design would split apart if you weren't careful when levering out the CPU. The two halves are a nuisance to fit back together as the spring-loaded pin contacts tend to spray apart.

Du you think it may be a good idea to use some cyanoacrylate glue to paste the two halves?

Cristian wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 10:28 pm

martyn_hill wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 12:07 pm whereby the two 'halves' of this curious design would split apart if you weren't careful when levering out the CPU. The two halves are a nuisance to fit back together as the spring-loaded pin contacts tend to spray apart.

Du you think it may be a good idea to use some cyanoacrylate glue to paste the two halves?

I'd rather not. The danger to glue them to the PCB and have even more problems removing them when they finally failed for the last time and need to be replaced is just too high.

OK, I understand