> > > Mask ROMs do go bad - a non-trivial percentage of bad dumps in MAME are masks. > > > > They can go bad (under extreme circumstances), but something tells me that an even > > less trivial percentage of that non trivial percentage are caused by pins issues > > No, chips actually do go bad even if they don't rely on trapped charge. Oxide layers > in any kind of MOS will eventually degrade, doped silicon isn't perfectly stable so > semiconductor junction transistors will go bad one day, Schottky barriers will > eventually contaminate. Chips built on larger processes and with thicker oxide layers > will last longer, but none of them will last forever.
And why do you start your post with "No" only to repeat what I said?