Looking 4...

From: Tothwolf <tothwolf_at_concentric.net>
Date: Sat Jan 4 03:20:00 2003

On Sat, 4 Jan 2003, Philip Pemberton wrote:
> Ethan Dicks wrote:
>
> > Nope... I'm using my Compaq SLT/286 to host my ancient ISA-based
> > device programmer. For those not following my ongoing issues blow by
> > blow, I just got it all working last night. Now all I need is that
> > replacement DS12887 to show up and I can button the whole shebang up,
> > nice and tidy.
>
> Feh. Just take a Dremel to the casing of the old one, pray you don't hit
> the Li battery and then replace the battery and put some PVC tape over
> it. Simple, yet effective. I've seen a website about doing exactly this.
> Or you could just dunk it in MEK to dissolve the potting compound
> Dalsemi used, then remove the plastic cover and replace the battery.
> Again, replace the cover and tape it down. IIRC, Dalsemi used a CR2032
> battery in the 1287.

Supposedly, the 1287 has issues with y2k and beyond, which were fixed in
the updated DS12887. I haven't yet had to replace any 1287s with a 12887
yet, so I don't know how much truth there is to this. I do know that some
of those 386s/20 systems with DS1287s seem to randomly get their clocks
scrambled, and it isn't due to software.

MEK = Methyl Ethyl Ketone (C4H8O)? Is it actually obtainable for most
folks? I thought it was regulated since it is so toxic and dangerous?
Personally, I think I'd take safety precautions while working with the
stuff...

-Toth
Received on Sat Jan 04 2003 - 03:20:00 GMT