IBM 1620

[Jules Richardson]

On 08/29/2015 03:32 PM, Paul Koning wrote:
>
>> On Aug 29, 2015, at 12:36 AM, Lyle Bickley <lbickley at bickleywest.com> wrote:
>>
>>> ...
>>
>> I was not on the Team that did the memory analysis and the ultimate
>> "modern" replacement memory. However, when I joined the Team, I asked
>> similar questions and was told that the core memory was literally
>> "falling apart" and was not repairable.
>
> I sure have a hard time fathoming any of this.

Why? Maybe attaching new bits of wire to the dissolved ends wasn't possible 
- i.e. the existing memory couldn't be repaired - and there simply wasn't 
the time/resources/money/expertise to rebuild it from scratch. Much better 
to replace it *for now* with a more modern part, such that the rest of the 
machine could be shown working, and it doesn't rule out the possibility of 
a period fix at a later date.

cheers

Jules