Thrifty One

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

Close

Q: Reviving an old eMac

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jun 29, 2014 8:02 AM in response to Thrifty One
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Jun 29, 2014 8:02 AM in response to Thrifty One

    PRAM Battery will help.

     

    Have you blown the dust out lately?

  • by Thrifty One,

    Thrifty One Thrifty One Jun 29, 2014 8:09 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 2 (270 points)
    Jun 29, 2014 8:09 AM in response to BDAqua

    Yes - when I was working on reviving it I blew / sucked as much dust as possible.  There was a LOT.  I will do a better cleaning when I take it apart to install the FanMate 2 variable fan control. 

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jun 29, 2014 10:26 AM in response to Thrifty One
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Jun 29, 2014 10:26 AM in response to Thrifty One

    OK, good luck, & be careful of the high voltage on the CRT!

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Jun 29, 2014 10:56 AM in response to Thrifty One
    Level 8 (35,044 points)
    iPad
    Jun 29, 2014 10:56 AM in response to Thrifty One

    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.

     

    That was an issue with the 1Gen eMacs from introduction in early 2002 to some point that summer. We bought a 700mHz 1Gen in August 2002 and had no issues with its video hardware. However, as 800mHz was an option from the start, see what happens when you put the serial number into this Apple web page:

     

    https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

     

    Yours may be too old for that to work but it might help determine if it was 1Gen.

     

    Lacking that working, you can use this Apple article to translate your serial number to one of the four sub-families of eMacs:

     

    eMac: How to locate the serial number and identify your model

     

    However, please don't post your serial number in the forums here.

     

    The whine and other issues--popping noises, screen artifacts and image "collapse--were apparently due to a bad IVAD cable. You used to be able to get new ones for under US$25 but the source I liked has gone out of business. Fi you Google "emac IVAD cable" you will still find some, like this:

     

    http://www.welovemacs.com/9225806.html

     

    The same site has instructions for installing BUT remember your are dealing with some massive and potential killer currents inside the CRT housing so, unless you are trained in that area, I suggest getting profession help from someone who still remembers how to drain residual current off a CRT system.

     

    Another thing to try: make sure the whine is not a sound coming through the built-in speakers. Mute them by plugging in a set of headphones or external speakers that are turned off. The early eMacs were often used with external speakers; the internal ones were not properly shielded and the fields they created caused video distortion problems unless the volume was adjusted well down, often to the point of being hard to hear.

  • by Thrifty One,

    Thrifty One Thrifty One Jun 29, 2014 12:14 PM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 2 (270 points)
    Jun 29, 2014 12:14 PM in response to Allan Jones

    BD & Allan - good to note in case anyone else reading to be careful of the CRT.  I have seen that warning many times as I've researched the "whine" issue.

     

    Allan - eMac long out of warranty and / or any extended repair programs.  I did plug in the serial number on the link you showed... nothing popped up for any repair programs. 

     

    I did plug in some headphones, but no change in the whine... so not coming from the speakers.  I am 99% sure it is the CRT. 

     

    I found an old post on the Discussion boards regarding a fix for this using toothpicks. 

    Re: Display making high pitched noise

     

    Sounds legit, but I personally don't want to go near the CRT due to the voltage involved.  Hopefully once I get the FanMate 2 installed and can lower the fan volume, I can live with the whine.

  • by Thrifty One,

    Thrifty One Thrifty One Jun 30, 2014 12:49 PM in response to Thrifty One
    Level 2 (270 points)
    Jun 30, 2014 12:49 PM in response to Thrifty One

    New PRAM battery arrived and in place... can now shut down and restart with no problems.

     

    Looking forward to installing the FanMate 2 and cutting the noise from the fan. 

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jun 30, 2014 4:20 PM in response to Thrifty One
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Jun 30, 2014 4:20 PM in response to Thrifty One

    Good to Hear on the PRAM Battery!

  • by Thrifty One,

    Thrifty One Thrifty One Jul 8, 2014 9:55 PM in response to Thrifty One
    Level 2 (270 points)
    Jul 8, 2014 9:55 PM in response to Thrifty One

    I installed the Fanmate 2 today - was fairly easy. Had to cut / solder some wires and file down a connector but otherwise it was an easy install.  Reducing the fan speed greatly reduces the noise level of the eMac.

     

    The only bad thing is it makes the CRT whine mor noticeable. 

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 8, 2014 10:06 PM in response to Thrifty One
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Jul 8, 2014 10:06 PM in response to Thrifty One