HP 9915A failed 8048

[js at cimmeri.com]

Hi, folks.

    I've a HP 9915A computer with an 
interesting problem.   The motherboard 
utilizes a ceramic Intel D8048 chip.   
The problem is that this 8048 has a 
crack right across the top middle of it, 
and half of the top of the chip has 
begun to separate.

   Powering up the machine as-is 
unsurprisingly results in no activity.   
HOWEVER, if I push firmly on the cracked 
area with my finger the machine starts 
to operate normally.   All appearances 
are that clamping down the separating 
piece of the chip re-establishes any 
broken wire connections within the chip.

    I've obtained a replacement 
P8048AH.   My question is: do these 
chips simply swap like a CPU, or -- as I 
fear -- is the 8048 a pre-programmed 
piece?    More simply put, is this a 
repairable problem?  Or am I SOL?

    Any thoughts welcomed.

- John Singleton