[Info-vax] Modding a DS10-L

[VAXman- at SendSpamHere.ORG]

In article <c9081d4e-59d1-4ab7-9c78-c62e1ab03874 at i5g2000yqo.googlegroups.com>, Rich Jordan <jordan at ccs4vms.com> writes:
>On Mar 15, 2:20=A0pm, VAXman-  @SendSpamHere.ORG wrote:
>> In article <10808166.1468.1331834038332.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums at vb=
>bfy7>, abrsvc <dansabrservi... 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. =A0And I have some tools (and access to
>> >> others) and I'm not afraid to use them. especially on spare parts.
>> >>=3D20
>> >> I was thinking about cutting a nice rectangle in the lid right over
>> >> the memory slots. =A0Then 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. =A0That would allow me to take my worki=
>ng
>> >> DS10L up to 2GB. =A0The 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).
>> >>=3D20
>> >> 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. =A0Given 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).
>> >>=3D20
>> >> Fun to think about while I wish =A0(and keep an eye out for) a free/
>> >> cheap DS15 or free/dirt cheap DS10...
>> >>=3D20
>> >> Rich
>>
>> >The biggest concern with modding the cabinet is air flow. As long as the=
> "b=3D
>> >ox" remains sealed, you should be OK.
>>
>> >On another note: =A0What appears to be the problem with the MB? =A0It is=
> rare f=3D
>> >or these to fail. =A0If you are in the US, perhaps I can repair for a re=
>asona=3D
>> >ble fee. =A0Contact me offline. =A0I may also have a few spares around. =
>=A0Shoot =3D
>> >me some details. =A0Let me know also if you find a cheap/free DS15 as I =
>could=3D
>> > use one too...
>>
>> I did it with mine. =A0First, I "nibbled" just enough space to allow the =
>memory
>> to poke through. =A0Then, 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. =A0I toyed =
>with
>> the idea of modifying the sockets but decided against that.
>>
>> --
>> VAXman- A Bored Certified VMS Kernel Mode Hacker =A0 =A0VAXman(at)TMESIS(=
>dot)ORG
>>
>> Well I speak to machines with the voice of humanity.
>
>I'm definitely not touching the sockets; I only have one working
>system right now.
>
>Plexi or plastic would be easier to work with, I just don't want to
>create RF interference to my neighbors (or my clock radio, which I
>tragically still use ;)

No more radio noise than your neighbor is causing you by running that 
PeeCee of theirs in the plastic box or with the cover off.

FWIW, and I 'm sure I mentioned this here before, the DS10s will NOT
run with the 1GB DIMMs that work in their bigger bretheren DS20/ES4x.
I wish it would have worked as then I could have 2 GB without having
to modify the case.
-- 
VAXman- A Bored Certified VMS Kernel Mode Hacker    VAXman(at)TMESIS(dot)ORG

Well I speak to machines with the voice of humanity.