What are these "grand canyons" on AthlonXP's?

[Über~PhLuBB]

I've seen a few articles referring to gaps, or trenches on AthlonXPs that somehow interfere with unlocking. Can someone give me a pic to explain this? (Or a really good text explaination!)

[oc jason]

Its the L! bridges, they used to be a flat chip surface to connect on, now there is actually a little "ditch" dug in between the 2 unconnected bridges, so you cannot directly connect the 2, you just find something to fill the bridges and then connect it

[cowanrg]

ok, you know with the L1 bridges that you usually have to connect? well, they are flat. in the new xp chips, there is not only a gap between the contacts, but there is also a "pit" or a trench. this doesnt allow you to simply use a pencil. you have to either fill in the trench, then pencil it in, or, use a conductive material to fill in the trench, AND connect contatcs.

here is a CRUDE pic.

contact 1--> __ __ <-- contact 2
\__/

[cowanrg]

oops, they didnt come out right, well, maybe someone will post a pic.

[Über~PhLuBB]

No, I see what you guys are saying.

Wouldn't it make sense to use an ultra-fine tip soldering iron to solder over the gaps, or even a thick conductive paint? It would come out something like this:

[Angry]

The problem with soldering is Frying the chips...some have done it sucsefuly..others have not...

[Über~PhLuBB]

Originally posted by Angry
The problem with soldering is Frying the chips...some have done it sucsefuly..others have not...

Then window-defogger repair paste. Use masking tape to isolate a single bridge, and slother between the tape edges. Repeat 3 more times. Boom, bang. Done.

[cowanrg]

yeah, that works.

many people have been using a high heat tolerant compound to fill the gaps first. then, you are pretty much a the same point you would be with an old tbird or duron...

either way, you will have to viod the warranty.

[Über~PhLuBB]

I don't see why those little tape things wouldn't work either... Y'know, they go for about $20 for 2 of 'em. It's a piece of sticky plastic with 4 little strips of adhesive metal that you just kind of "tape" to the bridges.