If you are going to use ink, measure the resistance between the 2 contacts you bridge with ink - when the ink is wet the resistance is high, and it falls as it dries. Once it's close to a dead short (the value you get on the DMM when you touch the 2 probes together) you can install & power on.

Also make sure you don't bridge anything you are not supposed to, just the 2 small contacts at each VID position.