Q: Reviving an old eMac
I am reviving an old 800mhz eMac to use as a web server for family genealogy files / online family tree and to run some basic home surveillance web cams via EvoCam software. I had used this machine in the past for these purposes but it had failed to start up one day. It has been sitting unused for a couple years.
I was doing a little research on the eMacs and found out they would not start up if the PRAM battery was dead. You can reset the PMU with the button in the memory compartment and get the machine to startup. But if it then is shut down, it won't start up again with a dead PRAM battery unless you reset the PMU again. I have it running now... just can't shut it down. I did a wipe of the hard drive and clean install of OS X to get it up to 10.4 I believe. I have a new PRAM battery on order and it will arrive this week (only $6.95 so not too bad).
Another thing about the eMac that always bothered me was the fan running constantly. It is so noisy. I also ordered a FanMate 2 to install in the eMac so I can vary the fan speed. From what I have read, many can cut the fan speed by 50% and still keep the CPU at an acceptable temperature.
I have one of the early models with the 800mhz 7441 processor so I can't overlock mine up to 1.33GHz.
It has a 60GB hard drive which is more than adequate for my purposes. It has 1GB of RAM which is also adequate for me.
It did not have airport card, but I have an ethernet cable connecting it to an Airport Express for somewhat "wireless" internet.
My eMac has the "whine" problem... from what I understand it is something to do with the CRT. Not sure there is any way to fix that. If someone has a suggestion for that, please share.
Any other suggestions for improving this eMac? Also curious as to what others are using this older machines for. I had considered converting mine to an aquarium, but glad I got it working again.
Posted on Jun 29, 2014 7:57 AM