[Info-vax] Modding a DS10-L

[Rich Jordan]

On Mar 15, 5:31 pm, VAXman-  @SendSpamHere.ORG wrote:
> In article <c9081d4e-59d1-4ab7-9c78-c62e1ab03... at i5g2000yqo.googlegroups.com>, Rich Jordan <jor... at ccs4vms.com> writes:
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> >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
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> >> >The biggest concern with modding the cabinet is air flow. As long as the=
> > "b=3D
> >> >ox" remains sealed, you should be OK.
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> >> >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...
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> >> 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.
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> >> --
> >> VAXman- A Bored Certified VMS Kernel Mode Hacker =A0 =A0VAXman(at)TMESIS(=
> >dot)ORG
>
> >> Well I speak to machines with the voice of humanity.
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> >I'm definitely not touching the sockets; I only have one working
> >system right now.
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> >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 ;)
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> 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.
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> 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.

I wish I could find those mythical DataRam modules that were short
enough to run in a DS10L without the adapters!  2GB would be very nice
to have.  But at this point a DS15 is the dream machine (anything else
is too noisy or too big).  But they sure still attract a lot of money
in the aftermarket... too much for a hobby box.