[Info-vax] Modding a DS10-L

[VAXman- at SendSpamHere.ORG]

In article <10808166.1468.1331834038332.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums at vbbfy7>, abrsvc <dansabrservices at yahoo.com> writes:
>On Thursday, March 15, 2012 1:09:03 PM UTC-4, Rich Jordan wrote:
>> 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.
>>=20
>> 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).
>>=20
>> 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).
>>=20
>> Fun to think about while I wish  (and keep an eye out for) a free/
>> cheap DS15 or free/dirt cheap DS10...
>>=20
>> Rich
>
>The biggest concern with modding the cabinet is air flow. As long as the "b=
>ox" remains sealed, you should be OK.
>
>On another note:  What appears to be the problem with the MB?  It is rare f=
>or these to fail.  If you are in the US, perhaps I can repair for a reasona=
>ble fee.  Contact me offline.  I may also have a few spares around.  Shoot =
>me some details.  Let me know also if you find a cheap/free DS15 as I could=
> use one too...

I did it with mine.  First, I "nibbled" just enough space to allow the memory
to poke through.  Then, I built a cap for it out of two pieces of clear plex-
iglass. One piece serves as a spacer, the other as the cover.  I toyed with
the idea of modifying the sockets but decided against that.  

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