Apple Monitor Found in Landfill - Restored - Part 1
The 8-Bit Guy・2 minutes read
A group of volunteers found a collection of Apple II color monitors that had been exposed to weather for years, successfully restoring one monitor through cleaning and repair. Restoring this monitor could potentially lead to the revival of numerous buried computers worldwide, with the challenge lying in locating and salvaging them.
Insights
- Despite being exposed to harsh weather conditions for 15-20 years, a palette of Apple II color monitors was found to be surprisingly resilient, with all units still functioning to some extent.
- The restoration process of a selected monitor involved meticulous cleaning, testing of components like potentiometers and circuit boards, and troubleshooting for issues like arcing due to corroded diodes, showcasing the intricate steps required to revive vintage technology and the potential for wider implications in salvaging similar devices globally.
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Recent questions
How were the Apple II color monitors discovered?
They were found behind a building, exposed to elements.
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Summary
00:00
Restoring Apple II Color Monitor: A Success
- A palette of Apple II color monitors was found behind a building, exposed to rain, humidity, and heat for 15-20 years.
- Volunteers brought the monitors inside and found that all of them worked to some extent.
- One monitor was selected for restoration due to missing bottom covers on many others.
- The monitor was taken home, and initial testing showed a picture but needed cleaning.
- The monitor was cleaned with Windex and baking soda, revealing the glass in perfect condition.
- Disassembly revealed a dirty interior, with most debris collected in the front bezel.
- Potentiometers were tested and found to be working smoothly.
- The circuit board was cleaned with a brush and vacuum, with no bad capacitors detected.
- Corrosion on the front panel board was cleaned with alcohol and DeoxIT.
- Troubleshooting revealed arcing due to a corroded diode, which disintegrated during removal attempts.
14:28
"Diode needed to revive buried computers"
- The diode from Mauser is needed to potentially fix the monitor, with the exact part number to be confirmed in part two; ordering from Mouser is the next step, but if anyone knows the correct part number, they can email it for a quicker solution. Restoring the monitor could pave the way for reviving millions of buried computers, hinting at the possibility of salvaging them from landfills worldwide, although the challenge lies in locating them. Additionally, the Apple version of Pesky Robots is now available for purchase.
