So I just bought a (new to me) Macintosh 512K for $60 (USD). It came with the 512K (dur), keyboard (original), mouse (IIc mouse) and 400K external floppy drive. Oh, and a non-Apple bag to carry it all in.
The computer has a small crack in the case on the top-right but I think I can eventually fix that or even replace it. It's also VERY yellowed so I got some retro-brighting to do.
I will post some pictures later.
The first thing I do is power it on. The seller showed a picture of it working. I don't have any software for it so all I got is the disk with a flashing ? on it. Which is a great sign! The startup tone was great too. The screen is superb. I cannot believe how great it actually looks. In fact, it's so bright that I have to turn DOWN the brightness to a comfortable level.
The next thing I do is open it all up to see what damage it has. There is a SMALL amount of battery corrosion on the terminal leads. But it's so minimal I think I can literally put vinegar on it and scrape it off. When I opened the case, I was amazed how clean it was! Other than a little dust, there is NOTHING wrong with it. Almost mint. As you know, there are only three electrolytic capacitors on there. I will be replacing those soon. But they show no signs of leakage. I still cannot believe this board is all THT. Oh, even the ports on the board (DE-9, etc.) are super clean with no rust. I swear this board looks new.
On to the analog board. Again, aside a little dust it's pristine. I will certainly want to re-cap it. I should start on that after Christmas. None of the caps look to be bulging. But I'm going to replace them anyway.
So, as you can see, I'm very excited about this find. I think with some hard work I can make this computer almost new and mint with a few dings here and there (just like me...lol).
Now, I have a few questions.
1) I attempted to remove the annode wire (I think that's what it's called) from the CRT. I made sure to properly discharge it first by connecting a long screwdriver to the ground wire of the CRT and slowly sliding it under the suction cup. I never heard any kind of pop. But I'm 100% sure I touched the metal under it. The problem is that I couldn't get it to come off. I didn't want to pry very hard but that wire seems to be bolted on tight or something. Is there a safe way to pry that thing off without cracking the tube? I've pulled them off on other Macs before. Not sure why this one has a death grip like it does. BTW, the suction cup is black and not red/maroon like someone mentioned in a previous thread. I thought they were all red/maroon too until I saw this one.
2) I'm pretty sure I have an 800K floppy as a spare. I have a super drive on a non-working SE/30 that I might be talked into using on this computer. But the fact of the matter is, 400K is going to be a problem. HOWEVER, since I have literally 0 disks/programs for this, is it possible to just buy some 400K software somewhere and use it? I just want to play a few games, mess with a few music programs and type a few letters. Nothing major. And since I have the external drive (also 400K) maybe the disk swapping won't be that hard. What are your suggestions? Do I need to upgrade the ROM if I use >400K drives? If I upgrade that drive, seems then that the external drive would be worthless.
3) Are there any recapping kits for the analog board on this computer? So that I don't have to manually trace down each size?
Thanks!!!!!
The computer has a small crack in the case on the top-right but I think I can eventually fix that or even replace it. It's also VERY yellowed so I got some retro-brighting to do.
I will post some pictures later.
The first thing I do is power it on. The seller showed a picture of it working. I don't have any software for it so all I got is the disk with a flashing ? on it. Which is a great sign! The startup tone was great too. The screen is superb. I cannot believe how great it actually looks. In fact, it's so bright that I have to turn DOWN the brightness to a comfortable level.
The next thing I do is open it all up to see what damage it has. There is a SMALL amount of battery corrosion on the terminal leads. But it's so minimal I think I can literally put vinegar on it and scrape it off. When I opened the case, I was amazed how clean it was! Other than a little dust, there is NOTHING wrong with it. Almost mint. As you know, there are only three electrolytic capacitors on there. I will be replacing those soon. But they show no signs of leakage. I still cannot believe this board is all THT. Oh, even the ports on the board (DE-9, etc.) are super clean with no rust. I swear this board looks new.
On to the analog board. Again, aside a little dust it's pristine. I will certainly want to re-cap it. I should start on that after Christmas. None of the caps look to be bulging. But I'm going to replace them anyway.
So, as you can see, I'm very excited about this find. I think with some hard work I can make this computer almost new and mint with a few dings here and there (just like me...lol).
Now, I have a few questions.
1) I attempted to remove the annode wire (I think that's what it's called) from the CRT. I made sure to properly discharge it first by connecting a long screwdriver to the ground wire of the CRT and slowly sliding it under the suction cup. I never heard any kind of pop. But I'm 100% sure I touched the metal under it. The problem is that I couldn't get it to come off. I didn't want to pry very hard but that wire seems to be bolted on tight or something. Is there a safe way to pry that thing off without cracking the tube? I've pulled them off on other Macs before. Not sure why this one has a death grip like it does. BTW, the suction cup is black and not red/maroon like someone mentioned in a previous thread. I thought they were all red/maroon too until I saw this one.
2) I'm pretty sure I have an 800K floppy as a spare. I have a super drive on a non-working SE/30 that I might be talked into using on this computer. But the fact of the matter is, 400K is going to be a problem. HOWEVER, since I have literally 0 disks/programs for this, is it possible to just buy some 400K software somewhere and use it? I just want to play a few games, mess with a few music programs and type a few letters. Nothing major. And since I have the external drive (also 400K) maybe the disk swapping won't be that hard. What are your suggestions? Do I need to upgrade the ROM if I use >400K drives? If I upgrade that drive, seems then that the external drive would be worthless.
3) Are there any recapping kits for the analog board on this computer? So that I don't have to manually trace down each size?
Thanks!!!!!
