Project Dandelion

Project Dandelion is the restoration of a Xerox Star 8010 (Dandelion) machine I have into working condition.

Project Status

• A detailed Work Log is being kept as I work on this project.
• Next steps: Finish tracing/documenting/removing all wiring from the system.
• Cosmetic: Basic cleanup work done, loose foam vacuumed out. Much work still to be done.
• Documentation: Initial internal photos of chassis taken, cable routing photos taken. Wiring harness schematic is being put together as cables are being disconnected.
• Power Supply/Distribution: Power distribution board reversed into a schematic. Lots more wire tracing needs to be done.
• Fans: Not started.
• Backplane/Cabling: Not started.
• ✓ Maintenance Panel/RTC/etc.: Checks out, all functions work as documented.
• Central Processor Card (CP): Not started.
• Memory Storage Card (MSC): Not started.
• Memory Control Card (MCC): Not started.
• High Speed I/O Card (HSIO): Not started.
• Low Speed I/O Processor Card (IOP): Not started.
• Raven/Ethernet Option Card (OPT): Not started.
• Monitor: Not started.
• Keyboard: Not started.
• Flexible Disk: Not started.
• Rigid Disk: Not started.
• Full bootup: Not started.

Cosmetic

• Exterior case in good condition, interior has some rust damage and mice have stolen bits of foam/paper to make a nest elsewhere.
• Loose/crumbling foam vacuumed out.
• All loose paper/foam/etc. that could be removed without removing any parts has been removed.
• Fan retention bracket has been removed and wire brushed to remove all rust.

Documentation

• Initial photos of chassis taken with panels taken off, no parts removed/disconnected yet.
• Power System documentation

Power Supply/Distribution

• Schematic created of power distribution board, will be put into Hackstrich SVN shortly.

Resources

• Internal documentation on the Dandelion: BitSavers Xerox Dandelion Archive