A few classic computer photos

[Tony Duell]

> 
> Tony Duell wrote:
> >  They can follow the
> > procedures in the servicce manual, but that's about all. Note I said 'by 
> > no means all' -- I've met some repairers who really understand the 
> > devices they work on.
> 
> Sounds like the guy we had out to deal with a startup error on our 

Well, it's partly based on the number of timrs I've received a panicing 
'phone call from somebody who lives enarby. They've called in an official 
repairrer who is makign a right mess of things, so I get to go roudn 
there -- while the repairer is still present ! -- to sort it out. 
Teaching a Britixh Gas boiler reparier how the flame failure device was 
supposed to work and how to test it is something i will never forget...

And of course the number of field servoids I've observed...

And the number of garage mechanics (from main dealers) who do things that 
are expressly forbidden by the workshop manual (and forbidden for a good 
reason). 

> digital printer (Fuji Frontier 570). Basically, the machine is a 
> combination of a modified laser printer and a normal 'wet' minilab print 
> processor -- RGB lasers "print" on the paper, then it's developed as 
> normal (develop, bleachfix, then a couple of wash tanks). We've been 
> having a few problems with it -- missing lines on the back-print, and 
> (more seriously) the machine not warming the tanks up on a morning. That 
> last one is pretty terminal -- it takes two hours to bring the tanks up 
> to ~45C (working temperature) from room temperature (!)
> 
> Anyway, the guy arrives and the first thing he asks:
>    "Have you got a copy of the service manual?"

Eek!!. I suspect my reply would be something along the lines of 'Your company
refused to sell me a proper service manaul. If you can get me one, then 
I'll let you borrrow when you come to repair my printer'

> As I see it, he had a laptop with him, and had no valid excuse for not 
> having a PDF of the S/M with him...

 
> So he digs through our heavily annotated "operator-level service manual" 
> (which for >80% of the error messages lists "contact your technical 
> representative" as the only solution), umms and aahs a little, then asks 
> to borrow a screwdriver....

What is the point of a service engineer who doesn't carry even basic tools?

> 
> After about 45 minutes he's finally gained access to the machine, after 
> stripping one of the screws and losing another, and re-seats the loose 
> connector that's causing the error. The printer is duly powered up, and 
> it doesn't flag an error with the wiring.
> 
> I then pose a question.
> 
> "At the end of last week, we did the 6-monthly maintenance and scrubbed 
> the wash tanks out. It took three times the amount of stabiliser before 
> the level sensor picked up that there was actually something in the wash 
> tanks. Is that normal?"
> 
> I pointed out the bit in the maintenance manual regarding the wash tank 
> level sensors -- "If the concentration level is insufficient, then the 
> tank level sensors will not detect the wash fluid".
> 
> His response:
> "Huh. I didn't know the level sensors depended on the concentration level."

Ouch!

> 
> I'm not complaining (because the machine is working to spec now, after 
> three engineer visits) but I seriously wondered if we'd been sent the 
> trainee, sans his mentor. I have no problem with his lack of experience 
> (everyone has to start somewhere) but not bringing even a basic toolkit 
> is pretty silly IMO. Even my rather hefty CK ratchet screwdriver is 
> small enough to put in even a small briefcase or backpack...

My _complete_ tool kit is not portable, mainly because a lathe needs to 
be set up in the position it is going to be used (seriously the cast iron 
bed will twist slightly, and you have to level it). On the other hand 
most of my tookit will fit in a sensibly-sized back ('most' includes 
things like a Weller TCP soldering iron, FLuck multiumeter, LogicDart, 
screwdrivers, nutdrivers, hex keys, torx keys, and so on. I'll include 
other more speicalised tools (camera lense ring wrench, 'Jaxa' watch case 
opening tool, etc) if I think I could need them 

> 
> 
> > Anyway, I then feel that if they can do it, so can I. 
> 
> Here, here!
> 
> 
> > In general older cameras are easier to work on then new ones (electronic 
> > control is right pain to repair!), and the better cameras are also much 
> > easier to work on. I'd much rather strip a Leica than a Kodak -- parts 
> > are better made, they fit easily, and so on.
> 
> Too true. There are a lot of Olympus OM4s that are starting to suffer 
> from ciruitry failure (read: metering and shutter times go badly out of


I seem to remeebr you should stick to odd-numbered OM's  as they're 
mechanical.

 
> spec, or the camera just up and dies) and you just can't get new parts 
> for them any more.
> 
> There's something to be said for simple, all-mechanical designs.


Indeed there is...

> 
> 
> > The only Minoltas I've seriously been inside are 16mm sub-miniature ones. 
> > And they seem pretty well put together.
> 
>  From what I've been told, the quality took a nosedive in the 
> mid-90s/'00s span... same as most things, really.

Alas...

-tony