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From: OC.GARLAND%CU20B@COLUMBIA.EDU (Richard Garland)
Newsgroups: fa.info-vax
Subject: Re: VAX Memory
Message-ID: <8509191947.AA25739@UCB-VAX.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 18-Sep-85 21:01:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: UCB-VAX.8509191947.AA25739
Posted: Wed Sep 18 21:01:16 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Sep-85 04:44:11 EDT
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We have used National Semiconductor memory for years and had good
success.  They have socketed chips with extras on each board.  In about
10 Megabyte-years I've had to swap maybe 3 chips (there is a whole book
on how to do it).  The memory is not on service since the cost of
service for the warantee period (2 years) would buy a new board.  Furthermore
changing chips is about the only service I imagine will ever be needed
and I do that fine.  So consider the service cost "free".  (they promise 24
turn-around on boards returned under warantee.)

Other managers  whom I asked before buying this stuff all had found a different
supplier (about 5 vendors were mentioned) and all were happy.  Some have 
warantee periods of 5 years.

It looks like memory is one area where youcan't go far wrong.

By the way, another site at Columbia just did a 4 Meg/old controller
for 8 Meg /new controller deal with EMC and they are happy with cost
and performance.  Local DEC will service them also (DEC Field service
largesse extends at least from NYU to Columbia).

(If I were they, I would put the controller on contract and the memory
off contract as per above price vs. warantee comparison).

					Rg

PS -- How about a survey on the wonderful world of microVAX-II memory prices.
Now that's an exciting market (for users, pity the vendors). Rg
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