20 Feb
2007
20 Feb
'07
1:25 p.m.
At 12:11 AM +0000 2/20/07, Tony Duell wrote:
I was asking a semi-rhetroical question, OK :-)
How many tims do I have to repeat 'Never
switch on a classic computer
without doing some PSU tests first' ?
Face it Tony, someone is always going to be doing it. Don't tell me that you've *never* done it. :^) Sometimes
it's easy to forget in
I did it _once_, many years ago. That's when I learnt it was a _bad_ idea :-)
the excitement of a new system.
Actually, I don't think I've ever plugged in a newly-acquired classic
computer in the last 10 years, say, without inspecting it inside and
testing the PSU if at all possible.
Actually how about a clarification here. Are you saying *ALWAYS*
test the PS before turning the system? Or just when it's been idle
for a while? I do know when the time comes for me to power my
PDP-11/44 back on, I'll be testing the PS first (I've not been able
to use it for over 6 years).
I don;'t do it _every_ time I turn the machine on, sure...
Basically, the times I do said inspection/test are :
1) When I first get the machine
2) Adter a long time (months/years) of non-use
3) After any other work or repair in the PSU area
4) After moving the machine a significant distance (e.g. taking it to a
computer club meeting or VCF (I wish) for a demostration). Things can
shake loose and short in transit.
-tony