Marry X-mas To myself - Recovered Computers and other devices from weather

Anthony N · Dec 24, 2013

Ok, I apologize for my long title, but here's the deal I recovered several desktop computers and a security DVR. They have been exposed to subzero temperatures, frost and snow.

Right now they are down in my shop warming up and drying out. Question is do I risk starting them? or are they good as trashed?

Patrick · Dec 24, 2013

Submerge them in rice for over 24 hours, otherwise don't turn them on.

Anthony N · Dec 24, 2013

Figured as much they'd be ruined. Even if I let them dry for several days?

Patrick · Dec 24, 2013

Like I said, try the rice for 24 hrs and then go ahead and give it a shot. It might work!

Anthony N · Dec 25, 2013

I did inspect them today and everything looks good. I just gotta order everything I need and clean them.

Digerati · Dec 25, 2013

Frost and snow would not bother me, if the snow never melted and they were never rained on - that is water did not get inside, then I suspect they are fine. The rice trick works good if submerged, but not really practical for several desktops - you would need several 100lbs of rice and a very big tub or trash can to put it all in. I suspect a fan blowing on them for day or two, or longer would be good - assuming your basement is not dank and humid.

If me, when you do attempt to power them up, I would use some sort of switchable outlet so you are not standing right over them when you apply power.

Are they as good as trash? Well, you would have to wonder why they were tossed outside in the snow in the first place.

Merry Christmas & [COLOR="#000FF"]Happy[/COLOR] [COLOR="#00800"]New[/COLOR] Year!

satrow · Dec 25, 2013

Yes, I wouldn't order anything for them until I'd checked dates, model#, etc. Older than 3yo or so, it would better to make just 1 good one and keep a few spare parts.

Anthony N · Dec 25, 2013

The whole reason of them being in the snow was because of transportation not recovery location. Their specs are not important because they will not be required to do anything much at all.

Digerati · Dec 25, 2013

The whole reason of them being in the snow was because of transportation not recovery location

Recovery location? That was not my concern. Typically, electronics are left outside because they no longer work. So plugging in something of unknown status is one thing, it is another if that device got wet.

Anthony N · Dec 25, 2013

I understand this. And I'm constantly checking for signs of water damage. So far everything looks good. But looks can be deceiving. I know it can take months before water damage shows its ugly face even if everything looks good.

Anthony N · Dec 26, 2013

Through further investigation these computers are seriously overdue for every kind of cleaning and maintenance. These were old point-of-sale computers for a restaurant that went out of business.

The new owners gave them to me but my dad's workers stupidly put them in the bed of the truck instead of in the cab.

Well I'll see what I can do to get them running again, but as it stands they are in no condition to run. If it comes down to it I'll start rebuilding them from square 1.

GZ · Dec 26, 2013

My suggestion, Anthony, is to let them dry naturally. Chances are very little, if any, water found it's way inside the enclosures. A warm, dry area with decent ventilation will work nicely.

One at a time, give a quick cleaning and inspection then power them up.

What are your plans with these machines if you get them up and running?

Anthony N · Jan 20, 2014

Ok, here is what I know. That security DVR is gonna take some work. I have to find a "laptop style" DC 9v power adapter for it to work.

Two of the 4 POS-Computers run and one is running windows 7 64-bit (who knew that a intel P4 was 64-bit compatible) the other is running Windows XP. With one short coming. No drivers! And a corrupt fresh install. But we still be able to save it.

GZ
If I can get the 3rd one to run after my ordered thermal paste gets here. I'll use it as a secondary desktop.

The system that has windows 7 on it is going to be used as a remote backup server.

The system that has XP on it is only needed because my dear mom has a game that requires dos and a 32-bit OS. However there's some problems with the install. I'm suppose to pick up new license disk from a local store in town that has a valid key and everything. The XP installed now was from a system recovery disk ages ago.

niemiro · Jan 20, 2014

Anthony N said:
The system that has XP on it is only needed because my dear mom has a game that requires dos and a 32-bit OS. However there's some problems with the install. I'm suppose to pick up new license disk from a local store in town that has a valid key and everything. The XP installed now was from a system recovery disk ages ago.

I'm presuming the game is 16bit then. If necessary, you should be able to run it under a 32bit Virtual PC inside a 64bit host.

x BlueRobot · Jan 20, 2014

You try using DosBox, which is a 16-bit emulator.

Anthony N · Jan 20, 2014

Dosbox - Crashed PC when launching game

Tried a virtual machine. Didn't like that either.

I'll post pictures when I get home from work.

x BlueRobot · Jan 21, 2014

Have you checked the game compatibility list?

DOSBox, an x86 emulator with DOS

It's always been stable when I've used the program.

Anthony N · Jan 21, 2014

The game was from 1987 lol

it's not listed. I'll provide pictures of the error when I can. :)

x BlueRobot · Jan 24, 2014

I've played 70's games with DosBox :grin1:

Marry X-mas To myself - Recovered Computers and other devices from weather

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