Picture of front and back of boards. Did you desolder the original chip and add socket.?

Did you triple check ribbon cables? That MPU one is always hard to put on exactly right.

I have been afraid to do NVRAM because I have read that it is very easy to blow traces on WPC boards. What type of tools did you use? Do you have temp controlled soldering station or desoldering gun? Just curious, because I have all those and a decent amount of experience soldering but I am still afraid to do this job.

IMO if you lack the confidence in your own ability to successfully perform this task then you shouldn't do it.

On the other hand; you know for a fact that you can remove the original RAM chip from the board without damage to the board or the RAM chip then you have nothing to worry about.

Exactly. These CPU’s are pretty hard to replace. Damaging them is very easy. I would send out to experts.

But many people are the opposite of me - over confident or lacking the right tools and end up hacking up their boards.

That’s why I’m curious what tools he used

I understand, and its a valid question.