11 Aug
2010
11 Aug
'10
3:43 p.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-
bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of dwight elvey
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 3:39 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: RE: SparcBook Tadpole
But that describes everything we talk about here that uses magtape, disk packs,
7400-series TTL, ASICs, (god help us) ECL, et tedious cetera. Yes, in another few years
my Voyager will have a dead NVRAM again and I may or may not be able to get another chip.
I might not even be able to get a new battery: that's a problem with my Minolta SRT
series SLRs, where the excellent TTL metering doesn't work anymore because it was
designed to be powered by mercury cells that I can't buy anymore.
If you want an appliance, yes, it's important to not let yourself fall too far behind
the curve. But if you're a manly man (or a womanly woman) and seek great adventure
and even greater glory (and perhaps even an advantage with members of the gender of your
choice), you'll geek-up and do what it takes to keep your Olde Beaste running.
BTW, I suspect the reason they said, "If the clock doesn't work, change the
chip" is just because that's the simplest symptom to identify. And there's
lots of info around about how to bring up a new NVRAM. -- Ian
From: IanK at vulcan.com
The part from
DigiKey was only about USD $20, which I figured was a
better deal than my time spent grinding and cutting and splicing.... --
Ian
Hi
My problem is that I don't know if I can restore the information in
it.
The early Sparcbooks didn't have openboot. I'm a little worried
about such bringup. There is a fellow on ebay that has these and claims
that the batteries are unused( about $20 plus tax and shipping ).
I have some empty space in the machine. I'd rather use that for
a battery bracket with a standard button cell.
If I had two brackets with small resistors, I could even change
batteries
on the fly.
If the case can be poped off, that would be great. If not, I may
revert
to the dremel. I can put it in an external socket and power it from
a supply to keep it alive while operating.
I've written down the hostname and ethernet address so it is minimum
risk.
The web page says if the clock doesn't work, replace the chip. I'm
not sure if that is whats wrong. I've not tried to reset the clock yet
to see if it continues to run. I do know that the clock uses more
power than the RAM and may just be the straw that breaks the
NVRAMs back.
Using an old battery device from digikey is just prolonging the
eventual death. If it isn't a current manufacture it is already part
dead
when you get it.
Dwight
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-
bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Alexandre Souza - Listas
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 7:51 AM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: SparcBook Tadpole
I recently replaced one of those parts in my Sparcstation Voyager. I tried doing a search on google for anyone
hacking these chips
to replace the battery but all I got were chip sales.
Easy for us :)
The chip is a plastic box. In this box there is a common chip, and
some
batteries on top. Cut the box with a plier and you'll see the
batteries, it
is that simple. Change the batteries, and be happy :)