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

From: healyzh_at_aracnet.com <(healyzh_at_aracnet.com)>
Date: Mon Aug 21 18:16:28 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?

Well, You'll have an original config it sounds like, but not the original
config for that particular system. Personally I'm of the opinion that you
do what is the most useful for you! That's why my PDP-11/73 is a mutant
that sits in a MicroVAX II BA123 chassis, and why I'm getting ready to
replace the RQDX3 in my VAXstation II/RC with a ESDI Controller. We won't
even discuss what a mutant my MV3 is :^)

> 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?

You lucky (*!&# I saw that system but didn't think I could afford it at the
minute. It sounds to me like you just got a legal VMS license. Though I'm
not sure of the exact licensing issues. You might have to pay the license
transefer fee, but it doesn't sound like it. I'd say as long as you keep
the sales info, you're legal, however, to get a proper answer you should
contact Compaq and ask this question. If the PAKs had already been used
you'd need to pay to have them transferred (last I heard that cost $300 and
a lot of PAKs aren't transferrable).

BTW, that wasn't much of a hunch, the photo showed the PAK's :^)

                             Zane
Received on Mon Aug 21 2000 - 18:16:28 BST