MicroVAX I

From: Joe <rigdonj_at_cfl.rr.com>
Date: Wed Jan 7 14:51:33 2004

At 08:29 PM 1/7/04 +0000, you wrote:
>On Wed, Jan 07, 2004 at 08:11:21PM -0000, Witchy wrote:
>> > another one that they did pay $17,000 to upgrade to a uVAX-II. Both of
>> > these have had the older, defective wiring harnesses replaced, one after
>> > stinking up the manufacturing area. It was quite charred when removed.
>>
>> What was defective about them? Having said that apparently this one was in
>> use until retired a year or so ago. It says 'MicroVAX I' on the front but
>> given that it's coming with a Tek screen I'm wondering if it's actually a
>> VAXstation I....Hmm.....I'll find out next week :)
>
>There's one of two harnesses under the air diverter in the drive-bay area...
>The old ones have press-to-fit contacts and the body of the connectors are
>made from an amber resin. The newer ones are crimp-ons and are in a white
>nylon-like shell. The older ones can't take the current the uVAX draws,
>and begin to oxidize. Oxidation causes resistance which causes heat...
>
>You _will_ want to replace that harness if it's the older type. It's a
>fire hazard. This goes for _all_ BA-23 cabs, BTW, not just uVAX-Is.
>Those are just the right era, thus, a concern.

   In the old days, the factory would almost certainly pay for the
replacement harness and installation since it's a fire hazard. AND it's
likely they will STILL pay for it . I helped a friend of mine pick up an
old SGI Reality Engine II a couple of years ago. After checking it he found
that it had five original style PSUs in it and that they were prone to
catching fire. Even though it was an old machine SGI came to his house and
replaced the PSUs with five brand new ones at no charge. It turns out that
the PSUs (especially NEW ones) are worth CONSIDERABLY more than what he
paid for the entire machine.

    Joe
Received on Wed Jan 07 2004 - 14:51:33 GMT