I recently inherited a couple of Ultra 2 systems, which I'd like to use
as home workstations.

They came loaded with I/O I don't need (qfes and ethernet/scsi combos),
but are a bit short of CPU and memory - 1 x 300Mhz and 256MB.

I'm thinking I should sell the extra I/O cards, add second CPUs, and at
least double the memory. Is this a reasonable approach?

Is there a better way than eBay to buy U2 CPUs and RAM in Canada? What
do I need to know in order to be sure I buy compatible parts at fair prices?

TIA

Triffid

On Fri, 5 Nov 2004, Triffid wrote:

> I'm thinking I should sell the extra I/O cards, add second CPUs, and at
> least double the memory. Is this a reasonable approach?

Sounds good to me. The more memory, the better.

> Is there a better way than eBay to buy U2 CPUs and RAM in Canada? What
> do I need to know in order to be sure I buy compatible parts at fair prices?

Check out the SUn HW Handbook. But yes, Ebay is a good place,
provided you know what you want, and are aware of what a given
item's fair market value is.

You could try Afternet System in Toronto. I bought an E220R form
them recently (I live in Kelowna, BC), and they were very fair to
deal with, promptly replacing a damaged rear panel.

--
Rich Teer, SCNA, SCSA, author of "Solaris Systems Programming"

President,
Rite Online Inc.

Voice: +1 (250) 979-1638
URL: http://www.rite-group.com/rich

> least double the memory. Is this a reasonable approach?

I have a dual 400MHz 2GB U2 and it is still a good machine (as
long as you can live without PCI).

I'd buy the maximum sized 128MB DIMMs (Sun Part no X7004A for
a kit consisting of 2 DIMMs).

There are four banks of four DIMMs and the memory must be installed
a bank at a time (i.e. two kits at a time). You should be able to buy the
kits
for under $100 US.

I upgraded my machine from dual 300MHz to dual 400MHz ( Sun part no
X1193A) and I think that it's worthwhile to do this. You just need to make
sure that you MOBO can support the highest spec CPUs;

http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub...z_UltraII.html

I paid $225 US per 400MHz CPU 18 months ago so you should probably be able
to source them for significantly less now.

In summary I would recommend loading one, or both of the machines up and
they should
serve you well.

HTH,
AT

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 00:39:22 -0500, Triffid <triffid@nebula.net>
wrote:

>I recently inherited a couple of Ultra 2 systems, which I'd like to use
>as home workstations.
>
>They came loaded with I/O I don't need (qfes and ethernet/scsi combos),
>but are a bit short of CPU and memory - 1 x 300Mhz and 256MB.
>
>I'm thinking I should sell the extra I/O cards, add second CPUs, and at
>least double the memory. Is this a reasonable approach?

That would depend on what you're going to be using this system for.

Josh