Thinking back, Here is a method I would have used that would have made this install easier:

Before putting on the memory board, I would have made a bunch of small, flat coils with a head using very small wire. Kind of like small dancng cobra snakes where the head would stick up just high enough to poke through the holes of the memory board. This way, I could be sure that my connection is good without having to get the heat down to the test pad post board placement.

My problem what not being able to see below the board to know if the connection was being made. If I could see that pin (the cobra head) I would be almost certain that the connection was being made.

If I can fix that inner layer trace, than I may proceed with that strategy (I beliieve to be my only choice other than to abandon the upgrade alltogether). Of course, the salvation of the empeg relies on finding where that broken inner trace needs to be shorted.