Osgeld, apologies. Tone is difficult to read on the internet and I misread you as being somewhat snarky.

I do remember some time ago being taught about measuring capacitance using a resistor and stop-clock, in fact this explains why there are now kits that basically just do LC measurement with an oscillator and microcontroller :\ I don't suppose you'd be kind enough to elaborate? I think I might be able to rig something suitable up if only I know what i'm actually meant to be doing :I

(Also, does the resistor need to be made of a mule, or will carbonfilm / wirewound work just as well? )

Mac128, ... the plating burned off? OK, i'm accepting that fix as being A Good Idea™ but ... what? How does that happen? (As I've asked...) What is the cause of the burning?

When I reflow I tend to desolder and resolder anyway - makes things a lot cleaner when you have 440°C in your fingertips, thankfully I tried the slapping technique, no dice.

Might have to "borrow" known good C15, L2, L3, and P1 from the good board I have, figure out which of the taken parts is dicky, and replace accordingly - it's still virgin as long as the same spec parts are used, right? *grin*