So, there's a Mac Classic that was dropped off at my friends' store
(otherwise headed for the skip/dumpster) and I "rescued" it. Yes, I used
quotes, as there was this "weird" bright yellow and purple goo emanating
from the unit.
Thinking something completely odd was spilled *into* the unit, I took it
apart to find the damage. Turns out, the PRAM battery was in such bad
shape that it was the source of both the purple (rust & other dissolved
metals) and yellow (still not sure what that is) goo.
I had to pry the motherboard out of the unit (slightly destructively)
due to the corrosion on the rails on one side of the motherboard rails
just to remove the motherboard. Whatever was bent can be unbent, but
will need a *lot* of cleaning to refurbish.
The contacts for the PRAM battery were completely gone on the (+) side,
and gosh-darned near gone on the (-) side (enough so that it couldn't be
repaired). I removed the PRAM battery & holder (with a pair of pliers as
it was also damaged to an unrepairable state).
That said, what do I actually do with the thing? My idea: Disassemble
the unit and turn it into a 68K "microcontroller" trainer unit with a
recent(ish) Flash ROM and Static RAM. Yes, I have the technology to
build that. Or... back to the original destination (bad).
Anyone want it for price of shipping?
And yes, for those "keeping score" I have now built a "Mac Cracker."
Do
I get a prize for being the "Last Geek Ever" to build one? ;-)
Laterz,
"Merch"