Reanimator9Xa second life for an old computer: a reference guide

An independent reference on old computers and consoles. We do not distribute programs or files, and we do not sell or repair anything; we are not connected with the former site on this domain. Do not open power supplies or CRT monitors.

Archive

Archive

The archive keeps an index of every finished page of the guide, arranged by the year it was prepared. Each entry shows a date and a tag for its main topic: inspection, safety, media or history. That makes it easy to find the article you need even when you only remember what it was about and have forgotten the title. For example, if you once read about why you should never open a CRT monitor, look for an entry tagged "safety"; if you recall the glossary with floppies and CDs, look for one tagged "media." And if you are looking for a legal way to run a childhood game again, start with entries tagged "history": that is where the pages on emulation, licenses and official re-releases are collected.

The archive is an honest index of the guide, not a showcase of promises. It holds only what you can read today and calmly put to use on your own desk, right next to a working old machine.

— Margin note

How the archive works: only pages that the editors have finished and reread make it into the index. Drafts, outlines and announcements are not included. When an article is later expanded or corrected, its entry is not duplicated: the archive keeps a single line with the date of the latest revision. We deliberately never remove safety pages from the archive, even if they seem basic, because those are the ones people reread most often before picking up a screwdriver again. If you notice an inaccuracy in any article, check its preparation date: a newer version of the same topic may already be in the feed of new articles. New entries appear in the archive on the same day as in the feed, so both pages always show the same set of finished articles.

2026

  • What's new

    The newest pages of the guide by date: what was added recently, what it covers and who it helps.

  • Sections

    Four guide topics: inspection and startup, safety, media and data, history and emulation.

  • Reading lists

    Reading paths: a retro corner at home, an old computer with your kids, and what to do with unwanted gear.

Sources

  • Reanimator9X editorial materials

The information is current as of the date this page was prepared. Old hardware was built in very different ways, so every tip here is general: if a device behaves strangely, stop and ask someone experienced instead of carrying on by guesswork.