Bargain Retro Computer Fixer-Uppers

It is quite common for me and my fellow retro computer collectors to complain about the high prices that Retro computer hardware gets on eBay, but there are still good deals to be had in local markets from people who are doing cleanups.  Personally I use Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.  I find many of these deals as referrals from my network of friends who know I'm looking for these machines.  It's good to have realistic expectations going in, as most of these lower price computers will require repairs of some kind to bring them back to use.  

Recently I've been able to acquire the following small lots:

$70 for an Apple IIe and a tote full of retro PC software and hardware (Apple IIe was advertised as untested, and it had broken keys)

$50 for an Apple Macintosh Plus (Tested at the store before purchase, boots to ? icon)

$80 for an original Mac and a Macintosh Plus (advertised as not working, and without a keyboard, mouse, or other hardware)

None of these computers were advertised as working.  When I see a local ad like this, I look at the other items that this seller has listed.  If they have alot of Retro computer stuff for sale that is working then I'm less likely to believe that items are "untested", tested and not working is more likely.  But sometimes the seller will indicate that they don't have a monitor to test and I find this explanation more believable.  

The Apple IIe was listed this way, stating that the seller didn't have a monitor to test with and so it was sold untested.  Apple IIes are know to be quite reliable (unlike Commodore 64s of the era), and so when I got it home and connected to an Apple II compatible monitor, it fired right up.  I did have to replace a RIFA cap. in the power supply, and I had to remove the keyboard and replace two key switches and key caps.  This was something I knew would be needed going into the purchase from the sellers pictures and description.  I have fixed Apple keyboards before with parts I purchased from an eBay seller that specializes in Apple keyboard parts.  After the keyboard repair the machine was complete and fully functional.

The first Macintosh Plus was purchased because I have several of the early compact Macs and I wanted to have another computer of this type to use as a Parts machine.  This Mac Plus was working at the store, but I ended up spending time reflowing many of the solder joints on the Analog board to get it starting more reliable.  I also took the floppy disk drive out and lubricated and tested that.  This machine is fully working and I stored it with my other compact macs.

The original Mac and Mac Plus lot was not a purchase I had intended to make, but a friend tipped me off and since original Macs don't come up very often at a good price I gave the listing a good look.  The case was clearly in rough condition but I could see from looking at the ports on the back that the logic board was still inside.  So I made an appointment to buy the systems,  They looked as advertised so I paid for them and brought them home.  

At home, I confirmed that both of the systems were not working (the same symptoms the seller had indicated) and I got to work on the original Mac.  I was hoping that there would be enough parts to make at least one working machine from the two.  It turns out that the original mac wasn't booting because it has a memory expansion board that was not properly seated.  I removed the logic board, re-seated the card, and the machine came to life!

The second Mac Plus was more difficult to troubleshoot.  I have narrowed the problem down to the Aanlog board, but there are no obvious burn marks or leaking caps.  I have put this repair on hold for now and will store the Mac Plus with my other parts machines.  Even without getting this final Mac Plus working, this purchase was still a bargain, but I am sure that I'll come back to the Mac Plus at some point.

So, if you enjoy repairing retro computers there are still many bargains to be had on these machines, it just requires patience and a willingness to accept machines that may have some damage.  For me, I very much enjoy the hands on experience with these machines and so I'd rather have a good solid functional machine with some blemishes than a cosmetically perfect machine that doesn't boot up and run.

Have you fixed any vintage tech. recently?  Let me know in the comments below, or feel free to send me an email and let me know what you are working on.