Re: computer mothballing

[dalloff@freenet.columbus.oh.us (Dave Althoff)]

Ted Rypma (rypma@waterloo.hp.com) wrote:

: And don't forget the batteries inside the things - you know, that which
: keeps PRAM and clocks running.  These things can leak enough to ruin any
: electronics and corode through wiring. Happened to me recently, although
: not in a Mac - sulphuric acid fumes damn near ate through a crystal case.

The earliest Macincrashes used an easily-removable battery in a back-panel
compartment. (noticing that this is crossposted to c.s.mac.*).  The Lisa 2
uses a pack of four NiCd batteries, which shouldn't cause too much
trouble...only the cells may be dead when it comes time to use the
computer again (easy to fix...they're AA cells).

The Apple ][, ][+, ][e, //e, and //c (not sure about the IIc+) do not have
batteries, except possibly as part of an aftermarket interface or accessory.

The Apple IIgs has a lithium battery.  If you're really worried about it,
you can clip the leads, seal the battery in a plastic bag, and throw it
inside the case.

Note that all of the Apples will work just fine if the batteries are dead
or missing.  IIgs's will revert to default control panel settings, and
Macintoshes will forget certain system configuration settings (like mouse
tracking speed and which printer you like to use), but the system will
come up just fine without a battery.

Unlike certain other computer platforms I can name.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.
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