how to clean a PDP8/A, dishwasher?

From: Gunther Schadow <gunther_at_aurora.regenstrief.org>
Date: Fri Dec 14 22:47:15 2001

Hi,

I have that itching to start up my new PDP8/A even without
disks attached. Have a programmers console, so that's enough
to enter a few programs. It's intriguing to see a machine
with a simple input method and convenient IO programming
abstractions, it is possible to bootstrap this system entirely
from scratch with only a manual.

But first I need to give this thing a good cleaning. A friend
has assured me that there's nothing better than the dishwasher,
with the exception of big capacitors and, what about magnetic
core memory? So, how should I clean the RAM cards? How the
DC power supply units?

If I put the other stuff in the dishwasher, I know there should
be no detergent and no heat dry. But what about the rinsing
aid, do I have to pump this out of the reservoir?

I heard of another method using hand-washing first, then drying
and finally a bath in Isopropanol. Is that what I should do
with the core memory cards?

Finally, finally, I noticed that the cards are all slightly
bent from being kept in a horizontal position. They are sagging
a little, like a hammock. Would that be a cause of concern
in the long run? Should I mount the chassis in an upright
position in the future?

any other things I should know?
-Gunther

PS: I am probably going to make one "portable" PDP-8, where
the console is mounted on the chassis and the rest of the
opening covered plus a handle on the top. That would be neat
for bringing into the classroom to teach fundamentals of
computer programming, wouldn't it?


-- 
Gunther Schadow, M.D., Ph.D.                    gschadow_at_regenstrief.org
Medical Information Scientist      Regenstrief Institute for Health Care
Adjunct Assistant Professor        Indiana University School of Medicine
tel:1(317)630-7960                         http://aurora.regenstrief.org
Received on Fri Dec 14 2001 - 22:47:15 GMT

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