16 Nov
2001
16 Nov
'01
7:01 a.m.
Maxing out the RAM is probably not a bad idea, but
I'd suggest you attempt to
figure out why the non-working ones don't work, and, if that's the only problem
you can't solve, I'll happily send you the necessary DRAMs for the cost of
postage.
These are not complicated machines, so, once you've found the software and once
you've located the defective components, they're probably pretty easy to fix,
aside from the somewhat touchy business of desoldering parts from the rather
low-quality PCB's.
I had a gate array 4P with a dead video. Everything looked good going in to
the video gate array, but nothing was coming out. I tried the video gate array
from my 4 and it worked, so I ordered a new video gate
array from Radio Shack.
That was about 10 years ago. I don't know if they still
have any of the custom
chips in stock any more. If not, then you'll have to look for another dead
system for replacements (if one of the gate arrays is bad; they are socketed).
The standard chips should be easy to find.
--
Eric Dittman
dittman(a)dittman.net
Check out the DEC Enthusiasts Club at http://www.dittman.net/