Apple Archeology: Four barn found Apple IIc computers
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 พ.ย. 2024
- I'm always amazed at how resilient old computers can be. Even if they're left outside in the field for 20 years, sometimes they can still work. What about four barn found Apple IIc computers? Could these left for dead machines still work?
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Deox-it really needs to sponsor some digital basement episodes, I can't imagine how many bottles have been sold just based on Adrian's promoting it!
Or how many shots have been taken... not sure if there is an ADB drinking game but surely one of the times you take a shot is when Deoxit is mentioned.
Great
He needs a 50 gallon drum of the stuff
Deoxit is amazing, and yes I’m glad for Adrian, because he’s the reason I have several bottles of the stuff.
I've bought two cans and literally learned about it from him.
You should frame that striped paper. Looks like a work of art.
Hoping you do a cleaning / restoration video on these!
Agreed
Incredible how some systems are so fragile, yet some like these are virtually immortal. Congrats on the nice machines!
The secret: don't use any MOS Technology, Inc. (Commodore Semiconductor Group) custom ICs.
@@winstonsmith478 That and the power supply that actually regulates the voltage and does not try to kill the machine -if- when capacitors dry up.
The zebra rust is a surprisingly good work of art!
Yeah I was actually thinking he should frame it and put it on the wall as a conversation starter. :)
I was going to say that. Frame it!
But before that, scan it and share the image. Might make a cool wallpaper. 😂
That is what i was thinking, Adrian should take a nice high res photo and use it as a desktop image lol
+1, frame it.
I also came to the comments to say he should frame the zebra art.
You won the "parts machine" lottery!
My rule of thumb is that if you buy a batch of anything untested or "for parts", and more than half of it works, you won. So this is an epic win. I thought it was a pretty big win when Techmoan bought a huge lot of MiniDisc players and recorders, and about 2/3 of them worked, including a couple really nice ones.
The roulette is still spinning! 😅
I'm at 43 minutes and I'm totally invested in seeing the cleanup. That's gotta be a huge pile of rust and dust and random crap.
27:43 wasn't expecting the screenshot from my dear friend Esteban's game. He coded that when he was a teen. He's since passed - RIP Esteban.
IIe and IIc were what my elementary school used long into the 90s, with a few Macs in the library. Best of times, especially when you died of dysentery.
That piece of paper thing known as the zebra paper, between the shield and the back of the motherboard on the third system definitely 100% saved that board from being destroyed by the rust. Amazing.
I was wondering when we would get another "pc left to rust on the bottom of the ocean" videos. Love 'em. ❤
I was never into computers or anything tech. But ever since I found your channel with the field found system, it’s very quickly becoming not only one of my favorite channels, but a subject I’m finding more and more interesting.
Before you know, you will be collecting retro systems you never had! 😊
I guess that's why I was always kinda into them - I grew up around a lot of old systems just shoved in garages or sheds. Even 20 years ago most of them just worked, which I could _not_ say about tape decks or turntables of the same vintage! Haha
I'd frame one of those rusted papers, I enjoy weird organic art like that!
Hopefully none of them will stop working after cleaning. Tough old units!
The board on #3 was very old. Apple figured out that they needed a crystal oscillator for the serial ports and this one didn't have it (near the middle of the board). They had a TSB (or whatever they called them) that allowed a warranty extension for anyone that had troubles with either a printer or modem to have the board replaced at Apple's expense.
Torque Test Channel is a great channel. I've been very happy with choosing tools that they have tested.
Incredible that they refuse to bite the dust, despite all they've been through. Great stuff!
They swollowed a lot of the dust though. LOL
C64 videos: "Is it actually possible that one of these computers isn't broken?"
Apple II videos: "Is it even possible to kill these things?"
Except that when Adrian or other people extract a C64 from a pile of mud, it usually works.
(there was an issue with the cursor not blinking that turned out to be a corroded CIA socket - the chip was still fine)
So - C64s *must* be stored in dirt and mud if you want them to still work. If they're sitting in a controlled environment, they just die for no freaking reason.
Ahhh. Sunday morning, a rainstorm outside, youtube running a new episode of Adrians Digital basement and coffe is ready. Life is good...
My first computer was an Apple //c back in 1984 and have a TON of good memories. Really enjoyed this video.
Amazing! But we want to see the cleaning too!
As a Laser 128 user "back in the day" (i.e. when I was a kid), I looked down on the //c. Now the Laser is gone and I have a //c and //c+. Interesting machines.
The //c was my home computer as a kid too and this video was totally nostalgic. Brings back memories of learning assembly language and BASIC, calling BBSes, and even learning Unix with a dialup account I was given at the local university. Hello from Eugene!
This brings a whole new meaning to the old saying, "They don't make 'em like they used to".
Apple II systems are survivors ... for sure. My "barn find" apple IIe system was quite dirty, and ports fairly rusty, but eventually came right back to life. It needed a couple of capacitor replacements in the PSU and new memory chips. Keyboard came right back after a clean.
Tough machines for sure!
I was totally surprised they all worked fine. That is very cool they did.
Would be awesome to see an episode seeing these getting cleaned up and running like new.
This is an amazing episode. Can't believe there was not a broken chip or corroded pcb trace in that pile of poor little IIcs
Nice find. For myself, TRS-80 programming to Apple 2e. My buddy's dad was upgrading and back in the mid 80s for a few hundred dollars had a complete system, 2 drives, color monitor, modem, parallel card etc. Lots of slots. Easy access, just lift the lid.
Bard's Tale was a great game series.
I just upgraded the ROM in my Apple IIC last week. It still had the original version -1 ROM which lacked support for SmartPort disks. Better late than never!
@19:23 - Adrian connects machine #1 up to a monitor for test
@33:52 - Machine #2
@44:10 - Machine #3 connected to monitor for test
@52:48 - Machine #4 test
I got a parts 800xl off ebay and it had rust all on the shielding to the edge of the motherboard. The top and bottom of the shield was rust orange along with the parts of the motherboard. I had to de-oxit the sockets, but it still worked! The keyboard membrane was rust orange, but once cleaned it worked too!!! Those 80's machines are great.
Unbelievable robustness in those old Apple IIs! I have quite a few newer computers that just gave up the ghost. A golden age in some ways.
I'm a IIc enthusiast, love that you found and rescue these beauties!
I always loved the keyboards on these Apple IIc computers. They had such a satisfying click and key travel.
Very cool video and story around these old computer. Thanks
Adrian's Dirty Basement
So nostalgic! I miss our family's //c which I still had setup and connected until it was lost in August of last year.
Well done No.3 you earned your stripes
It's amazing what a quality-built product can withstand! Thanks for another fun video
Great comment, so true.
Like you, my first computer that was mine alone was a //c, so I share your soft spot for them. I'm fortunate to still have mine.
I wish i still had mine, nostalgia here. Also, how reliable they are, Woz if you are reading, you are the man. The headbanging drives is your signature. Mine had the Alps keyb, from 87.
My first Apple was a //c, still have it! Thanks love seeing the inside of all those dirty computers.
As an Atari household, I only used one of these in elementary school, but I’ve got vivid memories of using them for Oregon Trail.
You have basically shown us all again that there is no such thing as trash retro computers based on appearance alone, and that e-waste should be a last resort following some basic clean and inspect work plus testing. I figured there were maybe 3 parts computers and one working made from them out the total 4 Apples. And like the IBMs and Commodores of old, the Apples just worked. Great video!
These computers came from a huge haul from eastern Washington. If you're interested in seeing what else came out of that barn find, I posted a video: th-cam.com/video/cfzZG1dkJ_I/w-d-xo.html
I can't believe that. Awesome. What a find.
While I never owned one (but my computer camp friend did!), I think the Apple //c with its little 9" inch display has the best atheistics of all the classic era PCs.
This is my favorite format
I just bought and repaired one of those. Orderen in Aegypt for a decent price. I fell in love with it.
My gosh I had so much fun watching this! I can't believe they all pretty much work. I didn't know apple IIc's were so reliable
Please do a second channel video following up on the cleanup and any retrobrighting you may decide to do on these machines, I'd love to see them all nicely restored and living their best lives :)
I love the IIc (amazing industrial design) - I still have mine from 1986 and it still functions perfectly. I would love to see a video of you bringing these back to good working condition.
incredible video. honestly was shocked at the success rate.
I'm looking forward to seeing the full restoration of each of these machines. Apple knew how to build them back in the day!
Freakin' awesome, I'm really really looking forward to seeing clean up and restoration video
I really enjoyed spending time in your dirty apple dungeon! Amazing that they all worked, well done. But then, these computers were thousands of dollars in 1984, not hundreds like the ZX Spectrums we had in the UK. All of my speccies have issues!
lucky you great computer stuff
I'd love to see how those machines turns out after cleaning. Nice Video, Adrian.
8 minutes in, just gonna say that considering the work, blood, sweat and tears many a single computer has given you, that you nonchalantly take all 4 in is absolutely fearless. Legend.
Awesome find! Perfect way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the IIc!
I got interrupted several times today trying to watch this video, so here I am, starting from where I left off. That No. 1 machine looked to have a Rifa cap that might need to be replaced (or was that the DC/DC converter?) Man... can't believe all four of these boards actually still worked! Thanks again, man.
I love the IIc, as we had them at school. I have one and a green screen monitor, like we had a school and love it. Masquerade (adventure game) was a favourite! Just got a SDrive ][ for it 😊
Just goes to show the quality and reliability of earlier electronics I doubt weather modern stuff would fair so well. Good work as always Adrian. 👍
I don't know if you know this already, but you mentioned the PBT keycaps and that the spacebar was yellowed anyway. The spacebar keys are actually made out of ABS plastic. Which was common back in the days. It's more difficult to mould larger keys with PBT (they're more prone to warp), so a lot of manufacturer used to use ABS for the spacebar keys instead. That's why the spacebar is yellow. :)
The 2c is the only Apple 2 machine I've owned and i regret selling it.. Another great video thanks
You should totally make a video on cleaning these things.
Love your videos, Adrian! They are informative and entertaining!
As I saw the machines first time, I never thought that a single one of those would work. Really survivours. As always, a cool Video. Thumbs up!
I love Apple //cs. It was the 2nd computer I ever owned, and I had the early revision 1983/84 model. I kept it all the way through my college days (mid-90s) and it disappeared after that. Not sure what happened to it or where it went. I bought another //c about 2 years ago and fully restored and modified it with a mockingboard 4c and a Fujinet and it works great. I would love to see more //c videos and //c modification vids.
Oh yeah. I have to watch this one later today. I too have a literal barn find Apple IIc complete with the elusive Iic color monitor which both, of course, are not in working condition... can't wait to watch this when the wife takes a nap.
I bought mine in 1986 in OKC when I was stationed at Ticker AFB. Done have it, but I managed to replace it and the GS I lost to time. Will have space to set them up eventually
Man you are so freaking lucky. I would love to have a crusty nasty apple 2 cross my bench, exactly like that. It would be such a fun repair and restoration.
Amazing.. Nice content - for a C=64 / Intel guy - Thanks
Hi Adrian, really enjoyed this video. It's great to see machines that might not survive get a restoration or at least some love. I think I did guess correctly that 4 apple iis would be working they're so reliable. I am also very pleased with a t-shirt I ordered from your online store. I can now watch the basement feeling like I'm there too as we take a look 'on the bench'. I hope this helps support channel in some small way. Ed
man those IIc's are troopers! i know they are relatively simple in design, but it is amazing they were sitting in some barn somewhere for decades and they just work. that is way cool. Thank you Adrian!
Wow, this will clean up nicely
I had a Laser 128EX as a kid, but i remember seeing an Apple 2C at school and was a bit jealous 😅. And the LCs we used a little later in high school were nice.
its amazing how reliable those PC's are even in that condition
Wow. Great video. That's what is so awesome about these old machines. They are dinosaurs, but they just keep going !! Oddly enough, makes me want to visit barns.
Good to see that all these units needed is a bit of a clean.
Have fun doin it :D
On the downside: no additional "repair" videos about these machines...
48:17 - I see visual artifacts in there Adrian, you looked away from the screen when it happened, but you can see the black and white square on the crane.
Still have 4 Apple IIc's in my collection (one of every variant essentially). Nifty little machines, and they all still work fine!
With regards to the ROM firmware chips, they are not necessarily interchangeable. The original motherboard only supports two ROM versions (ROM '255' and '0') but as they are different storage sizes--16K and 32K respectively, require a minor board modification with cutting a trace and bridging another. The newer memory expandable board supports two different ROMs (ROM '3' and '4') that are easily swapped, but they do not support the original board, due to remapping for the added memory expansion slot. It may partially work mixing and matching ROMs, but there would be issues. Obviously the 'ROM 5' chip is specific to the Apple IIc Plus motherboard, which has several major hardware changes. It would be interesting to see what happens trying those ROMs in unsupported boards.
I noticed your early 1984 Apple IIc had at one point been upgraded with a crystal oscillator (instead of the TTL part) to fix the serial port timing issue. Dealers used to do free board swaps, and I suspect put the upgraded ones back into circulation.
The ALPS keyboards only appeared in September 1986 onward, and can be easily recognized at a glance by their grey keycaps instead of beige (ditto for the drive door latch). You'd immediately know it's one by typing, it feels incredibly clicky and tactile!
The Memory Expansion Apple IIc (ROM 3 and 4) used what was called Slinky RAM, and named such in the way it addressed memory. AE and other third party boards that plugged into the CPU socket used a bank switching method almost identical to the Apple IIe Auxiliary slot. The battery backed memory card you're recalling was the AE RamKeeper, for the Apple IIGS, not IIc.
The rubber mat on the keyboards of those older Apple IIc's was actually a spill guard, so if your can of soda-pop fell on the keyboard, the liquid would run out the sides rather than short the motherboard underneath. Unfortunately they made typing feel awful, especially once that rubber aged. I remember on one of my IIc's not only removing the mat, but the metal clips/wire threaded through the keystem that tried to give it a clicky sound. Those clips hindered typing too! The memory expandable IIc and IIc Plus fixed that, and have some of nicest keyboards out there! Love those ALPS!
For a breakdown of all the ROM and hardware changes done to the Apple IIc, I put a section that details that, from back when I wrote the IIc's Wikipedia article in 2006. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_IIc#Revisions
Very fitting seeing this today, as last night I rewatched your old field found C64C video from before you had your intro.
big thanks, i just love computer archeology! :-)
Love seeing Apple IIc videos. I had one too!
Adrian my first computer was also an Apple 2C which I still have and I had the apple color monitor too .
Hi Adrian, could you please do a “pimp my amiga” series? A series taking a 500 or similar from absolute standard to all the possible/amazing/modern upgrades available? I think this would really help some newbies like me with getting the most out of our computer with all the modern convenience etc :) thanks heaps, your channel is by far my most favorite tech spot, right up there with Curious Mark! :)
Very awesome find Adrian. You must be living right! 🎉
ive got a 2c, i never figured out that version it was because when i went to open it i found a ram expansion, a hobbyist type hand soldered with long folded ribbon cables all over the place, suffice to say i opted to leave the functioning system alone instead of further prodding
Oooh.. I was buying a load of Comp mags back in 83/84 (PCN/PCW come to mind) and always loved the look of this thing. Looked so elegant. $1300 back then... that was quite something... to see them in this sorry state is a little disheartening... looking forward to watching the rest of this...
Well, if any of them end up dead, the least you can do is harvest the ALPS switches and possibly the keyboard midplane in its entirety from the machine and use it with an appropriate microcontroller to build a keyboard for something else. Those vintage ALPS switches that Apple used back in the day are still considered some of the best feeling switches around. Bonus points if you can recondition the keycaps or get a similar set made. I've always loved Apple's pseudo-island keycaps from that era. There's just something very novel about them.
These are some of my favorite videos. You get hold of some machines everyone else would have given up op. And give them many new years. Simply amazing❤ I hope these are not just stored away though but transferred to someone who would actually use them?
absolute tanks...
Quite the bonus that all the mainboards, power supplies and 3 of the 4 disk drives were still functional! Looks like the other disk drive will be fine with a bit more TLC than the others.
Many of us evidently would like to see follow-ups where the machines have been spruced up :)
This guys videos are so awesome it's so cool learning classic computing and how these things are tackled it's a nice break from the modern computers I work in. Thanks Adrian for the absolutely amazing videos this is stuff that should be a paid TV show so happy we get this content have a nice weekend
That's pretty darned impressive how long they lasted.
Love this kind of video! It is like an old car revival.
Nice found and lovely machines Adrian. I love your content as well. Greetings from Steven from the Netherlands
My first computer was an Apple //c we bought in December 1984. It was $1000 with the monochrome monitor, and we paid an additional $100 for a mouse. I loved Microwave.
The Apple IIc is by far my favorite of the early computers that I owned, or at least the most capable. I have a working one now but it isn't the one I had new. The only thing I need for it is a working Koalapad and software.