797 overheating (solved--two bad 797s, just my luck)

[tpryan]

It's possible they were done in by static discharge during handling. It's easy to build up several thousand volts on your body without even knowing it, especially in winter when the air is dry. It's a good habit to touch a grounded object before handling the ICs, and to keep all semiconductors in their static safe packaging until you're ready to use them.

[paavo]

Good advice for everyone right down the line; I keep a standup metal ashtray next to me for just this purpose (and, sadly, no other reason when I'm at the workbench, even when things get hairy).