Reading a chip in situ

[selfsilent1]

I have an 8 pin chip (555 size) already soldered to a PCB and I want to read and write back to the chip. I have seen a sprung clip (like a clothes peg) that fits over the chip so the info can be read. I saw them ages ago and can't find them again.

Any ideas what I am looking for and if the software automatically recognises the type of chip and what pin does what?

cheers.

 

[audioguru2]

There are many different kinds of ICs that have 8 pins. Most are opamps and dual opamps.
The ICs don't "itentify" themselves so software can tell one from another.

The clips are to allow you to connect a 'scope or a voltmeter to a working IC.