Sections
Guide sections
The guide is divided into four broad topics. The first helps you inspect your find and decide whether it is safe to power on. The second covers safety and which parts you should never touch. The third is about floppy disks, discs and handling data with care. The fourth is a reminder that old systems and games are part of history, and explains how to play them legally.
Retro hardware is like an old book: you don't rush through it. First you look at the spine and the pages, and only then do you open it.
We chose these topics based on the questions almost everyone has when they first pull an old computer out of the closet: will it turn on, is it dangerous, what do I do with this box of floppies, and how can I play my favorite childhood game without breaking the law.
Inspection and startup
Most trouble with old hardware happens in the first few minutes after power-on. Here is how to prepare a device so that you don't have to dread those minutes.
- Five steps before the first power-on
A short sequence: inspect the board, deal with the clock battery, dust, cables, and calmly watch the first startup.
- How to gently clean the case and board
A step-by-step article on dry cleaning with a brush and a vacuum held clear of parts, plus connectors and fans.
- Answers before you power on
What to do if the hardware has been sitting in the cold, smells of dust or shows no sign of life.
Safety
Old electronics can hold a dangerous charge even after being unplugged. This topic covers the lines we recommend never crossing.
- Why you must not open a CRT or power supply
A simple explanation of where high voltage hides and why a device that looks discharged can still be dangerous.
- Static and grounding
How to avoid damaging sensitive chips with a static discharge from your own hands and clothing.
- An old computer with your kids
A reading list for families: which activities suit children and what adults should handle themselves.
Media and data
Floppy disks, CDs and hard drives hold family photos, school reports and game saves. Here is how to handle them without ruining them for good.
- A glossary of media
How a floppy disk differs from a CD, what a disk image is, and why a hard drive is sensitive to bumps.
- Storage and copying
General rules: a cool, dry place, read-only access, and a copy to modern media at the first opportunity.
- A retro corner at home
How to set up a shelf for old hardware and media so that it is convenient and safe.
History and emulation
Old operating systems are as much a part of technology history as the first telephones and radios. Emulators let you see old programs again, as long as you use them honestly.
- When familiar systems came out
A few dates that help you figure out the age of the computer you found and the software on it.
- Software, games and the law
Why old games are still protected by copyright and which routes remain legal.
- Terms: emulator, license, re-release
Short definitions of words that come up in any conversation about old games.
Read next
Sources
- Reference materials on the history of personal computers
- 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.