ANS 700

[belgaonkar]

Thanks to nuvision I was lucky enough to purchase an ANS 700. Its been a dream computer of mine for a while now, but its got a few issues. 

First off it's missing the SCSI CD ROM Drive- if any one has a spare please let me know.

Secondly it is missing the key and thus I cant open it up to look inside.

It also has the wrong CPU, its got the 132MHZ from an ANS 500 instead of the 200MHZ. Also the power supply is dead. I definitely need to look into the power supply issue first. I have a feeling replacing the caps might solve that issue but I cant confirm until I get a key cut to open up the server.

On the bright side its an ANS 700 and is pretty rare. It also has virtually zero yellowing and the 103lb beast survived UPS shipping from GA to MA. The sale also included a bunch of the ANS software, but it looks like MacGarden has most of it. One of the floppy drives included is not on MacGarden

Its definitely a project but for the amount I payed I know it will be worth it. If you have any of the parts listed above please contact me as I am eager to get this restoration started.

 

[Carboy7]

You know how people say that the Molar Mac is the heaviest thing Apple ever created? Wrong. It was THIS!

 

[omidimo]

Congrats on your almost 100lbs beauty! I always wanted one as a side table... but that is just absurd. 

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

You know how people say that the Molar Mac is the heaviest thing Apple ever created? Wrong. It was THIS!

Second heaviest. The AppleVision ColorSync 850AV monitor weighs 8 pounds more (92 total).

 

[belgaonkar]

I always wanted one as a side table

It's currently next to my bed  

 

[omidimo]

HA! Excellent! Once it's working it will make a very... umm... unique noise generator. 

Oh and note on the heaviest... Xserve Raids were 100lbs.

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

HA! Excellent! Once it's working it will make a very... umm... unique noise generator.

Oh and note on the heaviest... Xserve Raids were 100lbs.

Base weight is 60 but loaded with disks it looks like they are indeed 100. Ouch.

 

[Juror22]

Yeah, if you have a computer this big, it pretty much winds up as a working piece of furniture, in all but the largest homes.  My Q900 does part time duty as an end-table.

 

[Carboy7]

It's like a hip geeky thing for your table...

 

[EvieSigma]

I'd love to have a Quadra 950 shelf.

 

[CelGen]

First off it's missing the SCSI CD ROM Drive- if any one has a spare please let me know.

It will take any regular Apple SCSI optical drive, though being AIX I'd almost consider just getting any Toshiba SCSI CD drive and calling it good.

Secondly it is missing the key and thus I cant open it up to look inside.

This is a problem. The key mechanism IS the same as the quadr 9x0 but there's latches that as you've seen lock the PSU bay and the drive bays. It's also electromechanical. Depending on the position of the key certain modes are enabled or disabled. One of my ANS's came with the tumbler completely drilled out so the lock could be turned with a screwdriver.

It also has the wrong CPU, its got the 132MHZ from an ANS 500 instead of the 200MHZ.

That I can recall this shouldn't be a problem. It will just run a little slower.

Also the power supply is dead. I definitely need to look into the power supply issue first. I have a feeling replacing the caps might solve that issue but I cant confirm until I get a key cut to open up the server.

One of the PSU's in my machines is also dead but that's because it was left in the rain. If a recap doesn't fix it try having the FET's inspected.

The sale also included a bunch of the ANS software, but it looks like MacGarden has most of it.

I'm pretty sure most of what Mac Garden has was swiped from another download I can't talk about, but I know that when bad comes to worse a full software and documentation set exists somewhere online.

 

[ScutBoy]

I have the full set of ANS software, and can help in a pinch.

 

[belgaonkar]

This is a problem. The key mechanism IS the same as the quadr 9x0 but there's latches that as you've seen lock the PSU bay and the drive bays. It's also electromechanical. Depending on the position of the key certain modes are enabled or disabled. One of my ANS's came with the tumbler completely drilled out so the lock could be turned with a screwdriver.

Yeah I plan to get a lock smith to cut me a new key. I have heard that the rear key is the same on every ANS, can anyone confirm this? If so I could probably find a picture and get a key cut just from the picture of the key.

It will take any regular Apple SCSI optical drive, though being AIX I'd almost consider just getting any Toshiba SCSI CD drive and calling it good.

As per the optical drive I would prefer if it was an Apple original, but for now Ive just stuffed another SCSCI hard drive in it.

This ANS comes at a good and bad time in my life. I am a senior in high school (Lexington High) and I have finished my college apps, so I have lots of time to mess with the system, but it also means that I am going to have to sell of the ANS within the next 6-8months. The iBooks plus this ANS should easily keep me busy for the next few months!

 

[CelGen]

So let me get this straight. You're going to put that kind of an investment (forget keys, the Apple 12x CD drives alone are oddly hard to find) into the machine and then sell it again in less than a year?

Bro, one word: Furniture.

Actually make that two: Furniture AND a space heater.

 

[wthww]

Call me smuckers because I'm

 

[haplain]

I thought my PSU was dead but it turns out the safety switch wasn't be triggered to tell it to start. Also, the key on the back has to be set to a certain position, if I recall, for it to turn on. Nice find!

 

[CompuNurd]

Yeah I plan to get a lock smith to cut me a new key. I have heard that the rear key is the same on every ANS, can anyone confirm this? If so I could probably find a picture and get a key cut just from the picture of the key.

Couldn't you just pick it? I mean, I have a Q950 and the lock doesn't look any more complicated than a cheap Master lock. Probably 5 minutes with a paperclip and you're good to go.

You're going to need a tension wrench and pick, which can be made with a paperclip or hairpin. There are plenty of videos teaching basic lock picking and how to make the tools on YouTube.

Once you get it open you can either leave it unlocked or buy another lock assembly for it. This is probably going to be a lot cheaper than a locksmith making a house call and cutting a new key.

 

[belgaonkar]

If the back lock is in the unlocked position, the machine will not boot.

 

[belgaonkar]

there is a site called key.me that can print a copy of a key by sending them a photo. Im gonna stick to that and not mess up the barrel. The seller had used the key from another ANS to open up the back door so replicating it is my best chance. Once inside I will be able to find a way to disable the front lock.