Compaq

From: Lawrence Walker <lwalker_at_mail.interlog.com>
Date: Mon Jul 20 23:02:44 1998

> > >>
>
> > Generally I'd agree, but in the case of the DEC VR201 I was challenged.
> > It took me some 2 hrs. and I was ready to rip the case off before I finally
> > figured out that "that interesting little button on the rear" concealed THE
> > screw that held it all together. I think some fine art students on peyote
> > must have designed that case. It is unique I will admit.
>
> Don't forget to extend the 'leg' fully as well.
>
 That and the folding handle, as well as the shape are really "cool".

> Similar screw covers are used on the VT220 IIRC.
>
> Ever done an IBM 5151 monitor? It's painful, and the details are not in
> any IBM manual (for all there's a schematic given). What you have to do
> is prise (pry) the 2 covers off the top and undo the screws under them,
> then put it face down, undo the 2 screws near the front, and the 4 screws
> in the block of 6 that are nearest the rear of the monitor. The cover
> then pulls off. But whatever you do, don't undo all 6 screws. If you do,
> the mains transformer (read : heavy weight) falls off onto the back of
> the CRT (read : glass thing waiting to implode).
>
> -tony
>
 I ran across that with an IBM terminal that I finally tossed (NOT the 3270
one). I did keep the 15 pin cable tho, thinking I could use it to build a cable
for my Dec Rainbow, if necessary. While puzzling, the two tabs on top, so
neatly set into the case, were somewhat intuitive if you've worked on
electronic equipment before. Case screws hidden in the strangest places. I
like Sony's method of the arrow indicating the case screws , a real
no-brainer.as compared to the VR201.
  I just checked my 5151 and 5153. They both have the tabs. I guess that was an
IBM standard for the time.
  I'm always carefull when I see an odd number or more than 4 screws on the
back. I've seen that with other devices as well. And then you find you've
unscrewed some _at_#$%@$^ thing that's virtually impossible to reattach without a
special jig. BTW that 404 had something like 8 1/2" # 8(?) screws holding the
PCB to the K-b case. They don't make things like that anymore !

ciao larry

lwalker_at_interlog.com
Received on Mon Jul 20 1998 - 23:02:44 BST