How is the TIP122 the soldered to the board?
Why would removing it destroy the board?
Well, it is mounted on a heat sink which is soldered to the board. Plus, the three legs soldered to the board. I could desolder the transistor easily enough but...it is called a heat sink for a reason...
Yes, I could get it off without destroying the board if I had the desire and the patience.
At any rate, since I have kicked up so much dust with this simple question, and knowing that everyone is on pins and needles wrt the transistor, I powered it up and took a look at it with a scope--it is a MOSFET.