Computer Storage

From: Geoff Roberts <geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au>
Date: Mon Apr 12 22:58:35 1999

----- Original Message -----
From: Huw Davies <H.Davies_at_latrobe.edu.au>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 1999 9:40 PM
Subject: Re: Computer Storage


> At 18:31 13/04/99 +0930, Geoff Roberts wrote:
>
> >Some stuff is more tolerant, our Vax 6310 kept right on going despite the
> >a/c failing last summer during a long weekend. It was 44C in the
computer
> >room on the Monday morning. The netware server in the same room died
when
> >it's power supply failed, presumably due to overheating!
>
> Well I can attest that

<much snipped>


> At the next job you discover that uVAX-IIs are game to run in about 12" of
> very cold water (that really belonged in the heat exchanger in the room
but
> managed to escape).

The problem with the air conditioner concerned was that it had some kind of
problem that made it freeze solid, (brand new spilt system too!) to the
point where the fan wouldn't run. At some time after that, the whole thing
died, and the huge block of ice melted all over the Netware server and it's
UPS which were directly underneath the wallmounted air conditioner. As
near as we can figure, both kept working despite the resultant miniflood.
However, the loss of the A/C resulted in a drastic increase in temperature,
which evaporated the water, creating a super saturated environment at the
stated 44c or so, since the room was effectively sealed. This was too much
for the power supply in the server and it died. The server has since been
replaced, (It's now my workstation) the Vax is still going.
They don't make 'em like they used to.

<more snipped>

> cost of all the mice that had to be
> destroyed was nearly an order of magnitude more than the replacement cost
> of two uVAX-IIs at 1986 prices (ie lots).

The mice had to be built to government specifications I suppose?
 ROFL.

Cheers

Geoff Roberts
VK5KDR
Computer Systems Manager
Saint Marks College
Port Pirie, South Australia
geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au
Received on Mon Apr 12 1999 - 22:58:35 BST