[Info-vax] Modding a DS10-L

[Jan-Erik Soderholm]

Rich Jordan wrote 2012-03-15 22:43:
> 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
>>
>>>>> 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.
>
> 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.
>

Correct. I asked my local used DEC/CPQ/HP gear brooker for a DS15,
but he could not fix one at a "hobbyist-price", the demand was
(and still seems to be) to high for them. Got a dual-CPU DS25 in
cabinet package instead (since everyone wants rack mounting). :-)