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# Remarking
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For various reasons, sellers of obsolete parts will remark chips. This is done by sanding the surface of the chip down slightly, applying a "blacktop" coating, and printing or laser etching new markings. Ostensibly, this is done to either "clean up" the chips by making them appear new by removing dirt and scratches, or to falsify the chip's markings - either to modify the date code to appear newer, or to make the chip appear to be a completely different part number.
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Evidence of illicit IC remarking is normally considered unequivocal proof that the chip is counterfeit and cannot be trusted, especially in industries where a failed part can mean life or death, such as military and aerospace. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly common for Chinese sellers of YM2612s to remark parts, even if they're good, and in the coming years it may become difficult to obtain non-remarked chips. For the purposes of this article, I only consider a chip counterfeit if it is not actually a YM2612, but has been made to look like one, as in the very first counterfeit image on this page.
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Evidence of illicit IC remarking is normally considered unequivocal proof that the chip is counterfeit and cannot be trusted, especially in industries where a failed part can mean life or death, such as military and aerospace. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly common for Chinese sellers of YM2612s to remark parts, even if they're good, and in the coming years it may become difficult to obtain non-remarked chips. **For the purposes of this article, I only consider a chip counterfeit if it is not actually a YM2612, but has been made to look like one**, as in the very first counterfeit image on this page.
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Remarked ICs can usually have their surface scrubbed away using acetone and a cotton swab. This should not happen on a non-remarked chip. Remarked chips also have a unique "rubbery" feel to the surface if you rub your finger along it - hard to convey via text, but obvious if you have a few examples of good and fake chips. Keep in mind, however, that just because the chip was remarked, does not mean it's not a real YM2612!
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