My ren64's are dieing

[smartalec]

Well guys swapping chips with a working board was the second thing i did.

Ive just received the 485 chips, so now i just have to solder them into the board, thinking of sockets for them chips since Matt reckons they can die easily.

i don't think it would of been static, since i got the pic's pre programmed off the person that makes the boards wjohn himself.
An i also wore a static strap when i installed the chips.

i'll keep everyone posted on what fix's it in the end.

[mschell]

I would highly recommend that you put sockets in for the 485 chips. If there's anything that could go wrong, from an external perspective, it's these chips. If you happen to have a short in your wiring between controllers or plug in the wrong thing to the inputs, then these chips could be effected.

Between the PICs and the RS485 chips, those are the ones that, I believe, need the sockets the most.

[smartalec]

Pitty i did'nt have any 8pin sockets around the place, cause this was the fault, i replaced the chip an it sprung back into life.

So Point learned, put sockets on them 485 chips thats U4 an U5.

thanks everyone for the help.
Alec

Originally Posted by mschell

I would highly recommend that you put sockets in for the 485 chips. If there's anything that could go wrong, from an external perspective, it's these chips. If you happen to have a short in your wiring between controllers or plug in the wrong thing to the inputs, then these chips could be effected.

Between the PICs and the RS485 chips, those are the ones that, I believe, need the sockets the most.