> Hate to differ...the LM324 chips on that board are linear chips using PNP
> and NPN transistors -- not static-sensitive in ordinary terms.

I hope you're right! I'm no electronics wizard (to say the least), but I got
the static sensitivity information from a guy who is. Perhaps there is a
difference in the panels for different years???

In any case, it's a simple matter to just touch some metal just before
touching the panel to discharge any body static just to be safe....

 >if you *should* manage to break a chip, they cost
> about $1.25 each at Radio Shack.
>
> david

Well, that may be for the electronics wizards like you...
but there's no way most of us would be well advised to take a soldering iron
to the circuit board.... sure you can find people who can do it safely...
but it's still easier to be safe and discharge the static from your body
first...

Later...

Bill