Subtle question, only a true collector can answer :-)

From: Chuck McManis <cmcmanis_at_mcmanis.com>
Date: Mon Aug 21 17:45:11 2000

Ok, so over the weekend I picked up a couple of VAXen. They were both in
DEC "BA213" enclosures that were mounted to 19" DEC racks. Neither uses
disks that are in the racks, although one used a tape drive that is in its
rack.

Here's the question, lets say I take all of the cards and move them from
the BA213 in the rack, into a BA213 that is in one of the roll around
pedestals. Is the system still "original" ? Clearly the only way to tell it
isn't the same is that the serial number on the chassis has changed, even
though the sticker is the same system type. My take on it is that its still
the same if it is the same set of parts in the same configuration as I got
them, other views?

On a semi-related note, I paid $100 for a 4000/VLC on Ebay (I know, over
market, but the thing was "new" in the box. I bid on it on a hunch, and my
hunch proved to be accurate, in the original documentation are the license
PAKs that go with the system, un-opened, never been used, waiting for the
system "buyer" to activate/use. Clearly I can use these (LMF will accept
them as valid) but what is the legality question here? DEC sold the system
with these licenses to be used on it, and I'm planning on doing so. Further
the licenses appear to be "generic" in the sense that they aren't addressed
to a particular owner. Comments?

--Chuck
Received on Mon Aug 21 2000 - 17:45:11 BST