IBM 5155 analogue display fault

[Vintage Computer Festival]

On Wed, 1 Jun 2005, Tony Duell wrote:

> > > Provided the screws have not been lost, the bit of paper is still
> > > around/readable, etc. The 'safest' place for those screws is in the
> > > original holes.
> >
> > What about all the notes you've made of the modifications you've effected
>
> They are, of course, in the appropriate service manuals, etc.

Ok, are those service manuals inside the machines you modified?  How can
you be sure they never be separated from the machines?

> > on various machines you own?  Are they with the machine?  Are they secured
> > to it so that it won't get separated?  Will the ink remain readable
> > forever?  Will the paper remain intact forever?  If not then wouldn't it
> > have been safer for you to have never made those modifications in the
> > first place?
>
> Yes it would. But you're forgetting something. I _use_ my classic
> computers, and therefore make modifications to make them more useable
> while preserving the basic design of the machine (what I  mean my that is
> that I will hack a memory board to use larger-capacity ICs, I will make a
> mod to use a more modern replacement chip [1], etc. What I won't do is

So, if Jules decides they want to exhibit the 5155 (i.e. USE it) he can't
make modifications to it that he considers making it more "useable"
because you disagree with his methods?  Who's to say your methods are any
better?

> totally change the architecture of the machine, e.g. by replacing the
> guts with a PC running an emulator).

Yeah, no one is suggesting that here.  I have no idea why this is being
brought up (again).

> However, as I keep on saying, I still want to do as few modifications as
> possible. Yes, I will happilly do the 640K mod to a PC/XT, including a
> 5155 portable. In fact I did this mod to my 5155 (expansion slots are
> tight, not much software will run in the standard 256K). That's a useful
> mod. But there is no good reason to change those damn screws!

No "good" reason that you can fathom at least.  And let's compare bananas
to bananas here: Jules is not doing a 640K mod on the 5155 (if he was,
would you object?  After all, he is making what you would consider a
"useful" modification) he's swapping screws: a completely non-permanent,
easily reversible, and (if reversed) non-detectable alteration.  You're a
hobbyist hacker making practical (extensive) alterations.  He's an
archivist making practical (minimal, non-permanent, easily reversible)
alterations.  BIG DIFFERENCE.

You've turned an anthill into Mount Everest.

-- 

Sellam Ismail                                        Vintage Computer Festival
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International Man of Intrigue and Danger                http://www.vintage.org

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