Guides · RETRO HISTORY
How to Preserve an Old Computer
A practical first inspection checklist for vintage machines.
Inspect before powering on
Check for leaking batteries, damaged capacitors, corrosion, brittle cables and unsafe power supplies before switching on a computer that has been stored for decades. If you are not qualified to work around high voltage, seek specialist help.
Protect original data
Create backups or disk images of important media where possible. Work from copies when experimenting and keep original disks labelled and protected.
Clean gently
Use gentle cleaning methods appropriate to each material. Avoid soaking electronics or applying strong solvents to old plastics. CRT monitors can retain dangerous high voltages even when unplugged; do not open them without professional training.
Document the machine
Photograph labels, expansion cards, cable routing and serial numbers before changing anything. Good documentation helps with future repairs and preserves the machine’s story.