Some Survivors from a Computer Graveyard

[Strimkind]

Yesterday I received an email regarding a large amount of macs free. Today I went out to see what I could pick up.

Well this place was quite a sight. Front of the house loaded with stereo equipment and computer bits and a tarp shed with computers stacked...well more thrown. Apparently the guy used to take unwanted machines before there was a province wide initiative to recycle electronics without a cost.

There were so many rusting PCs and Macs in various states of disrepair it was insane. Busted classics sitting in grass, rusting plus, busted plus, dirt covered SE, gutted AllinOne G3, busted iMac, and that was just what was in the front. The boat load was in the back of the shed that I could not get to unless we wanted to move wood for an hour.

I did save some items from this mess which include:

4 LC 475s (3 have RAM 32MB each, 2 Had HDs, and 2 had ethernet cards. 1 apparently had bad video but I suspect it to be the 475 with no RAM, HD or Floppy.

1 SE30 with some rust (it was outside) with a video/10baseT card in it. It was worth picking up for that.

1 G3 Powermac Desktop

1 Powerbook 190 (this works as I tested it a few hours ago and it booted right to 7.6.1 after a PRAM reset)

That was it. Nothing else even looked worth attempting to restore sadly. The rest of the stuff I could not get to and he said he had some items in totes...so we will see what they may be if he calls back.

 

[JRL]

8-o

Just try to take everything you can.

Also, the Macintosh LC 475 with no video most likely has a dead PRAM battery. Just turn it on, then quickly flip it off and on again.

btw, the ethernet card "video" port is AUI, unfortunately.

 

[Strimkind]

8-o
Just try to take everything you can.

Also, the Macintosh LC 475 with no video most likely has a dead PRAM battery. Just turn it on, then quickly flip it off and on again.

btw, the ethernet card "video" port is AUI, unfortunately.

What is AUI? I don't generally deal with compacts so I'm a little limited in knowledge for available expansions.

 

[JRL]

8-o
Just try to take everything you can.

Also, the Macintosh LC 475 with no video most likely has a dead PRAM battery. Just turn it on, then quickly flip it off and on again.

btw, the ethernet card "video" port is AUI, unfortunately.

What is AUI? I don't generally deal with compacts so I'm a little limited in knowledge for available expansions.

AUI is just a different Ethernet standard.

 

[tmtomh]

The SE's ethernet card probably has the AUI connector and the regular rj45 connecter. Either connector will work to provide the same 10Mb/sec ethernet connectivity, so you won't even need to fool with the AUI connection.

 

[Mike Richardson]

Definitely go back and move some wood. I would scavenge around in the the rusted Macs for parts, although if they got moist, then don't bother.

 

[Strimkind]

Definitely go back and move some wood. I would scavenge around in the the rusted Macs for parts, although if they got moist, then don't bother.

They look like they have been outside for at least a year or two of rain under a tarp. Not worth it considering the amount of moisture we get here being near the ocean.

If he calls again I will have a second look to see what might still be good if I can get to it.

 

[iMac600]

I'd have a field day at that place... it's like the battleground of the 68k Macintosh Liberation Army troops, those that could be saved have been air lifted to safety and are now in the hands of the medics, those seriously injured try to be saved and the dead go down in history as the bravest soldiers of all, and their remains we commend to the ages.

R.I.P.

Seriously though, wood must be moved. Who knows what's trapped behind there, some potential gems. The Macs damaged by moisture, well it's surprising just how much they can withstand, especially in sealed units. My 512k sat out in a shed for years hit by the harsh elements and now it's working again, so you never know. I'd be interested to see what you mean by "rusting" though. Must refer to the ports and connectors on the back, since I can't see plastics rusting.

 

[Strimkind]

eriously though, wood must be moved. Who knows what's trapped behind there, some potential gems. The Macs damaged by moisture, well it's surprising just how much they can withstand, especially in sealed units. My 512k sat out in a shed for years hit by the harsh elements and now it's working again, so you never know. I'd be interested to see what you mean by "rusting" though. Must refer to the ports and connectors on the back, since I can't see plastics rusting.

Well thats true. If there was something on the top of the pile or close it may be worth it however I have not the time to do that and that whole place is a disaster zone and borderline dangerous. Anything close to the bottom will be rusty and dirt/plant covered (I saw some near the area I could get to and it was not pretty). If he'd clean it out or move things around I'd go back for a second look but its not worth it at this point considering the lack of care he took in taking care of what is there.

 

[Mars478]

Pictures, Pictures, PICTURES!