dplatt@ntg.com (Dave Platt) (06/08/91)
In article <ALANR.91May26153156@media-lab.media-lab.media.mit.edu> alanr@media-lab.media-lab.media.mit.edu (Alan Ruttenberg) writes: >This is probably not a generally preferred solution, but it works for me... > >I am a bit of a fanatic about noise, so I have wrestled with this for >some time. My choice has been to run external hard disks, and >completely disconnect the fan, leaving the mac on it's side, with the >back propped open at about a 20 degree angle. This is one of those fixes that should be in the "Don't try this at home, kids." Literally. Leaving the lid open on the II defeats the EMI/RFI shielding measures... it could allow the Mac to radiate enough RFI from its digital circuitry to interfere with radios and televisions in the area. It almost certainly voids the FCC Class B (residential area) status of the machine. It might even violate Class A standards (business use), although I tend to doubt it... those standards are much looser. If it does interfere with a neighbor's radio or television, the neighbor would be entirely within their rights to insist that _you_ fix the problem (i.e. put the cover back on). >I have used this setup with a macII with fx upgrade, rasterops 224 24 >bit color card and ethernet card for some time, without trouble. You >may need to adjust the opening if the mac to get enough circulation - >the mac will shut off it the power supply gets too hot. If you're running your machine hot enough that this happens... even occasionally... then you may be shortening the lifetime of your hardware by a significant amount. Depending on the overtemperature-shutdown as a way to warn you of insufficient cooling is living life a bit too close to the edge for comfort. As they say, "Death is nature's way of telling you to slow down a bit." ;-} >Alternately, you could purchase a fan regulator - sorry can't remember >the brand now... Nova. Soft Solutions sells 'em. > This work by attaching a thermostat to the internal >drive and regulating the fan speed to give just enough cooling for the >situation (macc II fan was designed conservatively - assumption all >slots filled). A pretty simple installation which has worked for >several colleagues. Cost ~$75. And well worth it... it makes a _big_ difference. -- Dave Platt VOICE: (415) 813-8917 Domain: dplatt@ntg.com UUCP: ...apple!ntg!dplatt USNAIL: New Technologies Group Inc. 2468 Embarcardero Way, Palo Alto CA 94303
berger@clio.sts.uiuc.edu (Mike Berger) (06/08/91)
alanr@media-lab.media-lab.media.mit.edu (Alan Ruttenberg) writes: >Alternately, you could purchase a fan regulator - sorry can't remember >the brand now... This work by attaching a thermostat to the internal >drive and regulating the fan speed to give just enough cooling for the >situation (macc II fan was designed conservatively - assumption all >slots filled). A pretty simple installation which has worked for >several colleagues. Cost ~$75. *---- Wouldn't it be cheaper (and more reliable) to replace the fan? -- Mike Berger Department of Statistics, University of Illinois AT&TNET 217-244-6067 Internet berger@atropa.stat.uiuc.edu