How to store (short-term) old computers?

From: Patrick Rigney <patrick_at_evocative.com>
Date: Sat Jul 26 22:32:00 2003

Rick,

Dredging out things from a (mostly) past life... if the concrete slab under
your shop is new, it will cure hard enough to walk (and build) on quickly,
but it will continue to give off heat and moisture at noticeable levels for
at least 30 days. The heat is a trivial novelty, but the moisture is enough
that if walls and windows and built over and around it, your windows can
drip sweat profusely and bloom mildew at any temperature. This is certainly
well above desirable levels of humidity for any electronics (vintage or
otherwise), as well as metal tools, etc., and could get you off to a bad
start. Good ventilation during curing helps a lot, but that may be at odds
with temperature control. If the slab has been around a while, though, it's
probably not an issue, unless there's water under it.

Patrick

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctalk-admin_at_classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin_at_classiccmp.org]On
> Behalf Of Rick Bensene
> Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2003 6:43 PM
> To: cctalk_at_classiccmp.org
> Subject: How to store (short-term) old computers?
>
>
> Hello, all,
>
> I am in the process of building a new home. However, the process isn't
> simple. We can't afford two mortgage payments at once. So, we are
> building a nice shop building on our property first.
> We'll then move a bunch of our stuff into the shop building, and live in
> a motor home on the property once our current house sells. Then, we'll
> begin building the house.
>
> I'm looking for advice on how to properly prepare a couple of vintage
> computers and periperals
> for storage in the shop. The shop will be insulated and sheetrocked. I
> plan on having a propane
> heater, and a 1-ton air conditioner to keep the temperature reasonably
> well controlled during
> the winter and summer. The floor is a concrete slab, and won't be
> covered initially. When the equipment first moves in, the insulation
> and sheetrock, as well as heat & AC might not be in yet.
> It all depends on the timing of the sale of our current house. Given
> that there might not be
> good temperature control (temps could get pretty cold in winter, and hot
> in summer) is there
> special prep. that should be done to assure safe storage?
>
> I have a PDP8/e system with two RK05 drives, a dual RX01 floppy drive
> system, and a paper tape reader/punch. I also have a PDP11/34A, with
> two RL02 drives, three RK05 drives, and an RX02 dual floppy drive
> system.
>
> Both machines are mounted in original DEC racks.
>
> My guess is that the machines will have to remain in stasis for a period
> of about 12 months or so before I'll be in a position to be able to
> revive them.
>
> Any recommendations as to how I should prepare these machines for
> moving, then storage?
>
> Moving them in the rack could be a bit of a problem. Would it be better
> to unrack the devices
> for moving, then put them back in the racks for storage?
>
> There'll probably be bugs that will be able to get into the equipment
> which it is in storage?
> Should I wrap the racks up in some kind of wrap to prevent bug-type
> critters from getting inside?
> If so, do I have to be concerned about condensation or 'stale air'
> causing any problems?
> Perhaps a couple of good-sized dessicant packs should be put in there if
> I seal them up?
>
> I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who's had good luck with short-term
> storage of old computers.
>
> Thanks,
> Rick Bensene
Received on Sat Jul 26 2003 - 22:32:00 BST