Repairing a Very Slow FIC 486-VC-HD Motherboard

About this video

Why does a FIC 486-VC-HD motherboard refuse to boot? A dead RTC module is the cause, and vswitchzero replaces it before examining a caching problem that hurts memory latency on many 486 boards.

Good to know: Desoldering the RTC module means burns, fumes and lead. Old RTC modules hold a lithium cell: never heat, short or charge it.

Why watch it

Two faults share this board, and the slow memory is the one the maker calls surprising. Worth opening if a 486 boots but feels sluggish.