"Real Computers" (was Re: Trivia Question)

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
Date: Sun Feb 23 13:56:01 2003

> I think it is totally unrealistic to expect to find a
> schematic for any of the newer machines. I am

Alas I agree with you. However, the claim was that the machine was
completely documented and could be repaired (or soemthing like that). To
me complete repair documentation includes (but is not limited to) a
schematic.

> thankful when I can even find a user guide for them.
>
> I In that respect Compaq isn't bad compared to most.
> II was delighted to find an exploded parts diagram
> for my Compaq LTE lite 4/33c. The whole thrust
> of even the Compaq techs is simply component
> replacement-board or part switching. It may not be
> to our liking but that is the reality in this era.

This doesm't mean I have to like it :-). In fact considering the number
of expensive devices that were beyond economic reapir (the spare
subassembly was rediculously expensive) but which I've fixed with one
cheap component and perhaps half an hour of my time, I have good reason
to dislike board-swapping.

This is secondary, of course, to the number of problems that
boardswapping causes, and the even greater number it fails to fix. I like
to know what the problem really was, and know it's corrected.

> Schematics are for the specialised field of computer
> design and not necessary from their point of view.

So don't give the failed servoids sechematics. But do make them available
for those of us who know how to use one...

> "You want to replace a capacitor ? You must be joking.
> That is a job for small-fingered oriental women"

Odd.... I handle parts a lot smaller than the capacitors on PC cards just
about every day without problems...

-tony
Received on Sun Feb 23 2003 - 13:56:01 GMT

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