gk06@umd5.umd.edu (David O. Dodge) (12/09/90)
Okay, so here's the deal...
In a few days I will be acquiring three DN300's (with three disk units). I
intend to make a few "modifications" to these units and would appreciate
any comments (besides "Throw them out" :-) or advice on the following
matters:
1) I know these things draw a great deal of power. I am intending to
do two things to "help" in this regard:
- I have access to 220V lines in my house. I should be able to get some
improvement by raising the nodes (and possibly disk units) up to 220
power. I have a copy of the "troubleshooter's" manual, and what I need
to know is if there is any additional hardware required to make this
transition. Is re-jumpering the power supply connectors and rewiring the
fan connecter all that needs to be done? How does the power cord need
to be wired? What about the disk unit? Different fuses needed?
- I intend to install a separate power switch for the monitor. I will
either install a second switch between the existing power switch and
the monitor fuse, or cut the existing line from the power switch to the
monitor fuse and install a new one connecting the fuse directly to the
power cord. Is there any problem in doing this? Has anyone else ever
done this? Which way do you think would be "better" (I'll probably use
the first)?
2) These units use 8-inch floppy drives (yuck!). Is there a *simple* way to
replace the 8-inch drive with either a 5.25 or 3.5 drive? I don't care if
it can't access the entire disk due to track/sector count problems, I am
just looking for something that doesn't require me to dig up 8-inch floppy
disks for backup purposes.
3) These units use big, noisy, low-capacity power-sucking hard drives. How
about replacements for these?
Before you either help or ridicule me, I want to let you know the following:
- I realize that these nodes are WAY outdated. I just like Apollos a great
deal and can't pass up the chance to have some for home use (I certainly
can't afford any new ones)
- I realize that running any version SR10 or above is virtually impossible
(and impractical) on these nodes.
- I realize that hardware/software support is pretty much out of the question.
That's okay anyway because I couldn't possibly afford it if it is available.
- I have not yet actually seen the units in question (although I have looked
over some DN330's at work). All of my technical information comes from
the troubleshooting guide.
- I am not a hardware engineer, so if I made any stupid assumptions in the
above modification plan, please let me know.
If you have any other ideas for improvements to these machines (are upgrade
kits available anywhere?), PLEASE let me know. Any advice or ideas greatly
appreciated.
Dave Dodge
gk06@umd5.umd.edu
(University of Maryland, College Park)nazgul@alphalpha.com (Kee Hinckley) (12/10/90)
In article <7692@umd5.umd.edu> gk06@umd5.umd.edu (David O. Dodge) writes: > - I realize that running any version SR10 or above is virtually impossible > (and impractical) on these nodes. I once considered doing this at home with the same configuration (3 300s). With judicious use of links you probably have enough space to spread the OS across all three machines. I don't think it would be very fun though. Good luck. -- Alphalpha Software, Inc. | motif-request@alphalpha.com nazgul@alphalpha.com |----------------------------------- 617/646-7703 (voice/fax) | Proline BBS: 617/641-3722 I'm not sure which upsets me more; that people are so unwilling to accept responsibility for their own actions, or that they are so eager to regulate everyone else's.