DECSystem 3100 (broken) for free

[Maciej W. Rozycki]

On Mon, 15 May 2017, Lukas Kaminski via cctalk wrote:

> does anybody need a broken MIPS-Server? The battery leaked and corroded the
> mainboard. I already cleaned it up, but it still didn't work... Maybe somebody
> can fix it or use it for spare parts.

 Check the PSU for electrolyte leaks.  The H7821 suffers from the dreaded 
Chemi-Con SXF capacitors, which it has a number of.  Fortunately they're 
mounted leads up, which normally prevents leaks from happening, however if 
a system was stored in the wrong orientation, such as on its side, leaks 
are by now virtually inevitable.  Consequently you may end up with a PSU 
that is still apparently giving power, however it is out of spec and the 
power good line (brown) remains low.  The 3100 won't start then and will 
keep itself in the reset state, with all the diagnostic LEDs steadily lit.

 I've been through this.  Giving a supposedly dead 2100 system a good PSU 
gave it a second life.

 HTH,

  Maciej