System/36 still sleepin' Suggestions?

From: Richard W. Schauer <rws_at_enteract.com>
Date: Sat Nov 4 22:30:59 2000

On Sat, 4 Nov 2000, Dave McGuire wrote:
> On November 4, THETechnoid_at_home.com wrote:

> > So why no power-on? Nothing spins, no lights on the front-panel, nothing
> > but the first-stage of the power supply humming slightly.

OK, that's normal. That's the control supply humming. The whole computer
is full of ferroresonant transformers.

> You mentioned safetey interlocks...Maybe there's a panel interlock
> that got jiggled during the move? Try removing and re-seating every
> outside panel that you can find.

There are no door interlocks. Also, the door latches may seem impossible
to open unless you got the tool, or know how to open them
without. Assuming you didn't get the tool, here's how:

1. Get a *large* paper clip and bend it to form an S.
2. Stick the end of the clip in the hole about 1/2 inch.
3. Move the clip to the left or right, so that the end inside the door
moves toward the *center* of the door panel. You'll need to make the
inside move to the left or right about 1/4 inch.
4. Try to pull the clip out. If you hook something, go to step 5; else go
back to step 2.
5. Pull gently but firmly, wiggling a little (keep in mind that the latch
is plastic and you will break it if you pull too hard, trust me) and at
the same time push and pull on the edge of the door a little. It will
pop open if you've got it right.
6. If you just can't get it, try another door. Some are harder to open
than others, and some have the latches partly broken.

If you get the idea that the latch design on these computers is awful,
you're right :-)

> Have you tried connecting a console terminal to it yet? This may be
> way off (I don't know anything about S36 hardware) but an acquaintance
> of mine once beat his head against a wall for two days trying to power
> up a VAX 8700. As it turns out, you do this by typing a command on
> the console processor (a DEC Pro machine) which he hadn't connected
> yet.

A console is not required to start it, although you can shut down from
there.

The one thing that strikes me right away, partly because you haven't
mentioned it yet, is the Unit Emergency switch. It must be in the Power
Enable position.

When you press the Power button on the front panel, do you get a Power
Check light, or any light for that matter?

Richard Schauer
rws_at_enteract.com
Received on Sat Nov 04 2000 - 22:30:59 GMT