[cctalk] IBM backplane story was Re: Another 780 backplane story

I worked part time at a computer center for a large bank while getting my undergraduate degree. The center was getting one of the first IBM 3081 machines to replace the existing 3033 MP. Because of the helium filled modules, getting the machine from the climate controlled truck to the center, which was on the 7th floor of the bank building was crazy; the move had to be accomplished in 30 minutes. As a dry run, IBM supplied a size and weight dummy 3081 in advance to make sure the delivery went smoothly. As you might imagine, the install and switch over to the 3081 was high profile. The VP in charge of the center was under pressure to get it done on schedule. The delivery and initial install went according to plan. The data was migrated to the new disks and the various application software was run through its paces. Unfortunately, the 3081 would occasionally throw a power fault. The local FE’s could not determine the cause, so after a week or so second level support was called in. They could not figure it out, so IBM brought in Ivan (I think that was his name). You know when you get the hot shot from IBM when he arrives in bib overalls and tennis shoes, not a suit and 5 pound wingtips. After the second day, Ivan got tired of the stream of managers asking him when the 3081 would be available, so he went down the the main bank floor and grabbed the thing (I cannot remember the proper name) banks used to use to create teller lines (posts and satin “ropes”), and formed a cordoned area around the 3081’s console. Note that each computer console had a telephone (1 for each 3033 and one for the new 3081) for communicating with the computer operator. On the third day, the VP bypassed the cordon and asked Ivan when the 3081 would be operational and Ivan replied he was’t sure. The VP said he had already told the president it would be up by the end of the day, and Ivan handed the VP the phone on the console and said, and I quote, “Call someone who cares”. I kid you not, I still remember verbatim. Early afternoon of the third day, Ivan asked the Lead FE to get a torch. There was an awesome hardware store about 6 blocks away, so in about 20 minutes the torch was delivered. The power bus on the 3081 had enormous cables composed stranded 4-6 large gauge wires that were soldered to large metal plates. Ivan had determined that the wires were improperly soldered and used the torch to resolder them. You can imagine the horror on the faces of the staff as Ivan opened the power bay, lit the torch, and started melting the solder. And it worked! No more power faults. — Todd