Even if you got those going, you are always going to remain at the mercy of the CPU and the unavailable spider chip. If that goes, no CPU and back to needing a replacement. I have used Pascal's board many times, and the reliability they add (if pins redone) is sensational, not to mention the additional feature you can add, like skill shots, ball save timer etc. I think you made a wise choice.
+1
You could always protect the CPU with a diode at each of the inputs... this is why the spider chips blow, they are not diode protected for current backwash. CPU would be just as solid as the Pascal then
