[Info-vax] Modding a DS10-L

[Rich Jordan]

One of my two hobbyist DS10L systems has bit it; the main logic board
is dead and it just isn't cost feasible to repair/replace right now.
So I have a full set of working spares (less the MLB, all tested in
the second DS10L) including two extra 512MB DIMMs, sadly not the rare
low profile DataRAM models.  And I have some tools (and access to
others) and I'm not afraid to use them. especially on spare parts.

I was thinking about cutting a nice rectangle in the lid right over
the memory slots.  Then making a sheet metal cap that would provide
enough clearance so that I could use the DIMMs vertically instead of
with the right-angle adapters.  That would allow me to take my working
DS10L up to 2GB.  The cap would get riveted to the case lid (I don't
have access to a welder, nor the skills to non-destructively weld
sheet metal).

I don't expect any problems except for possibly the frontmost case
screw mount, which might partially overlap with the area needing to be
cut.  Given continuous metal still shielding the system/RAM, am I
likely to run into any EMI problems caused by the system? I don't
think cooling will be affected enough to matter (as long as there is
some turbulence to prevent the metal cap from becoming a dead-air
hotspot).

Fun to think about while I wish  (and keep an eye out for) a free/
cheap DS15 or free/dirt cheap DS10...

Rich