2x 128ks, 1x Classic and Multiple Accessories

[TheMacGuy]

I know, it's been 1, 2, 3, no no, FOREVER since I made a post. But I had to make one about my recent conquest. Today I drove almost 2 hours to pick up a machine I've always wanted: a 128k. I got lucky and found not one, but two from the same seller! He had a lot listed for sale (including a load of floppies and a LaserWriter, but I was limited on space). He even had the original boot disks! We were able to agree on a price for the lot, or more exactly 'what ever I could take'. The Macs are in a bit worse shape then I was hoping, but I've dealt with worse (plus, the damage is more than reasonable for almost 34 year old machines). All three are yellow, the Classic got it the worst (it's almost brown). One of the 128s apparently boots but has no picture. Seller thought it might be the CRT, so we'll see. The Classic might get cannibalized for it's tube depending on it's cap situation. It boots (has HDD and RAM upgrade card), but the yellow is so bad IDK if retrobrite can bring it back. No battery damage, but I didn't get a chance to pull it. Hopefully this coming week I will.

The nonfictional 128 also has, what seems to be, a 25-pin SCSI upgrade, later ROMS (dated '85), and socketed RAM (I'm thinking a 512k upgrade). The working one looks to be fully original. I'm thinking of keeping the upgraded 128 board as-is, having the bad RAM replaced on my NOS 128k board, and using that.

I'll take some pics of the machines tomorrow or next week, I'm going to try and cobble together a discharge kit so I can deep clean everything.

 

[olePigeon]

Oh, you were the one who beat me to the punch.   Congrats.

I must've emailed the seller right after you.  Hah.

Unless it's damage from tar & smoke from cigarettes, you'd be surprised how far Retr0brite can reverse yellowing.  Make sure to give the cases a thorough scrubbing and cleaning before attempting to retr0brite.

If you leave them unplugged for a day or so, you shouldn't need to worry about discharging the CRT.

 

[TheMacGuy]

Hey olePigeon! Long time no talk haha. I didn’t realize you were here in Arizona too. Sorry for beating you to the punch! No tar or smoke reside, luckily (unlike my Cube had). I’m letting the machines sit long enough to make sure the bleeder caps do their job but I’ve never touched a CRT before and want to be extra cautious.

Also, I forgot to put that I got a Plus keyboard with the lot but a key cap is broken off. Looks like the switch is intact but the key is busted. Awaiting further inspection.

 

[BadGoldEagle]

Nice haul you got there!

Early analog boards didn't feature a bleeder type flyback transformer, so unless it was upgraded some time ago you'll have to discharge that thing yourself. It ain't hard. Just remember to put one arm behind your back as you perform this procedure and you should be good. Of course if you let it sit for some time unplugged it won't pack that much of a punch...

Those boards also suffer a lot from cold solder joints. You probably know this already but try to give the mac a good smack on the side. Maybe the picture'll come back temporarily? My 128k had a similar issue, but the screen stayed black whatever amount of force I hit it with. I ended up having to replace the flyback altogether. Dalbani still stocks NOS flybacks IIRC.

Also, 128ks have crappy RAM ICs. Even a NOS board will develop issues at some point in the future. If you're good at soldering, you might want to buy a set of 16 brand new chips.

 

[TheMacGuy]

Also, 128ks have crappy RAM ICs. Even a NOS board will develop issues at some point in the future. If you're good at soldering, you might want to buy a set of 16 brand new chips.

Ahh that’s the kicker about my NOS 128k board, they’re already bad! I’ve never undertaken a solder job that large and tedious before, and never messed with surface mount. That is kinda half the reason I got the Classic too, because I know they’re notorious for bad caps and it’s a good test bed before moving on to 128k anything.

 

[CC_333]

I've been wondering where you went! Your last post was in 2015 or something.

Looks like you went to AZ! Last I knew, you were in the Riverside, CA area?

Also, last I knew, OlePigeon is in the South SF Bay Area. Unless he moved?

c

 

[BadGoldEagle]

Ahh that’s the kicker about my NOS 128k board, they’re already bad! I’ve never undertaken a solder job that large and tedious before, and never messed with surface mount. That is kinda half the reason I got the Classic too, because I know they’re notorious for bad caps and it’s a good test bed before moving on to 128k anything.

Yeah, same thing with the IIc which uses the same RAM chips... I know someone who does 128k RAM replacement, he did mine a couple years ago and did a really nice job. Kinda expensive though.

 

[olePigeon]

I'm in California, but I was interested in the broken 128k and the floppies.  The floppies could've been shipped via USPS Media Mail, which probably would've been around only $10 to $15 to have them all shipped.

 

[TheMacGuy]

Alrighty! Here are some quick images I took on my iPhone. (Left to Right: Classic, Working 128k, Dead 128k with RAM and SCSI upgrades). The laundry basket in the back in full of extras I picked up, like an external diskette drive (looks to be from a IIgs), keyboards (including another ADB Adjustable), and other misc add ons. Also came with an aftermarket bag for the compacts that bears a rainbow Apple. (More pics coming later). The System diskettes are the most exciting for me as I never owned a set. My 512ke and Plus never came with them.

I've been wondering where you went! Your last post was in 2015 or something.

Looks like you went to AZ! Last I knew, you were in the Riverside, CA area?

CC! Good to hear from you too! And yeah, I was near Riverside/San Bernardino. Moved about 6 months ago to Phoenix for school.

I know someone who does 128k RAM replacement, he did mine a couple years ago and did a really nice job. Kinda expensive though.

Where abouts is he located? Would you mind PMing me his info?

The floppies could've been shipped via USPS Media Mail, which probably would've been around only $10 to $15 to have them all shipped.

I only picked up the Apple-branded diskettes because of space limitations at my new place. He might still be interested in selling the remaining disks. Maybe try emailing him again? 

 

[mactjaap]

Nice score. Please keep us posted about your progress in getting them back to work. Hope for you that some resolderin get some live in the one with the black CRT.

 

[CC_333]

Ah, school! What is your major?

MacCaps.com (aka uniserver, banned a year or two ago) can replace the RAM chips. Last I knew, he was in Southfield, MI (near Detroit).

c

 

[TheMacGuy]

Ah, school! What is your major?

Well I’m taking a year off right now, A ) to gather my bearings and B ) to qualify for in-state tuition costs. The plan currently is to get a BS in Computer Science hardware. Plus, Phoenix is sorta becoming a satellite-Silicon Valley. Google, Intel and many other companies now have satellite HQs here. Intel just reopened their chip fab in Chandler, so I have great hopes to get in there. Ultimately, moving back to California is always in the cards, but Phoenix is ever growing business-wise and has way lower cost of living. (Plus the sunsets are second to none)

 

[BadGoldEagle]

That's the guy! He did a great job. He also sells RAM kits if you fancy doing some soldering yourself.

MacCaps.com (aka uniserver, banned a year or two ago) can replace the RAM chips. Last I knew, he was in Southfield, MI (near Detroit).

 

[CC_333]

TheMacGuy: Really?! Huh! What's the weather like there? Is it too much different than CA?

c

 

[youjuoufudtgd]

Ah, school! What is your major?

MacCaps.com (aka uniserver, banned a year or two ago) can replace the RAM chips. Last I knew, he was in Southfield, MI (near Detroit).

c

Why was he banned?

 

[TheMacGuy]

What's the weather like there? Is it too much different than CA?

It’s hotter and dryer, but not terrible. It depends on what part of CA. Coming from the Inland Empire, it’s a little hotter in the summer, but a little colder in the winter. It got up to 122 in June, while I think San Bernardino area reached a high of... like 110 in that time? Once you get above 110 it’s hard to notice the difference. There are more days above 100, but the humidity (or lack thereof) makes it more tolerable. The sun is more intense.

Really the only exposure you get is running from the car into the AC. Also, during the summer, it never cools down at night by more than 10-15 degrees, but it can drop 30 degrees in the winter and freeze! Oddly enough, most of the plants that grew in the SB area grow here too, so ragweed is still an allergy killer!

 

[CC_333]

Yeah, NorCal is much milder, but it can get hot (even during summer, if it's like 110 during the day, it cools down to a balmy 70 after dark). It is a bit more humid here, but in general, it tends to be somewhere between 25-35% (it can get down into the single digits, and that's when the killer firestorms happen).
 
Winters are generally mild and relatively wet (though much drier than normal for the last 7 years or so (not including winter 2016-2017, which was *very* wet), hence the drought), but the average low is somewhere between the mid 20s to upper 30s (daytime is anywhere from 40s to low 60s), so it's not exceedingly warm.

 

 

[olePigeon]

Well I’m taking a year off right now, A ) to gather my bearings and B ) to qualify for in-state tuition costs. The plan currently is to get a BS in Computer Science hardware. Plus, Phoenix is sorta becoming a satellite-Silicon Valley. Google, Intel and many other companies now have satellite HQs here. Intel just reopened their chip fab in Chandler, so I have great hopes to get in there. Ultimately, moving back to California is always in the cards, but Phoenix is ever growing business-wise and has way lower cost of living. (Plus the sunsets are second to none)

Revenge of the Nerds was filmed at U of A.  Go Adam's Atoms!

 

[Gorgonops]

Why was he banned?

Generally speaking this isn't an appropriate topic of conversation. The forum has rules and the individual habitually broke several of them, culminating in his being banned after multiple warnings and opportunities to moderate the offending behavior.

The reasons had nothing directly to do with the products and services he offers so if that's the reason you're asking, well, that is the answer.