These are my thought exactly; in fact the game should be 100% operations with the original RAM you removed installed in the socket you added to the board...if you can't achieve this than maybe you should consider sending it out.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/sttng-owners-club/page/55#post-4860527

That's unfortunate...I also had ordered several dozen of the 256Kbit chips a few years back and they all worked perfectly.

It defines a level of board repair skill that most people just don't have anymore. There is more to board repair than just removing the IC, you also have to not overheat the board which can cause damage to the board itself. Having the RAM still function after its removed means you did not exceed any temperature thresholds when removing the part.

I actually disagree that lead clipping is easier than removing the part intact. If you have professional level desolating skills and equipment, its actually easier to remove the part intact and you will also never accidentally sever a trace with your clippers.