Decluttering advice for a stored Centris 615

As the proud (?) owner of too many ancient Macs, I give Urquhart1244 a huge Plus One for bringing up the battery issue. Many old Macs would fail to properly start up in the presence of a weak or dead internal backup battery, or "PRAM" battery.

I looked up specs for both the 610 and 650 because Macs of that era used two very different styles of PRAM batts. The 4.5V version is now virtually extinct, and people cobble up a replacement from three 1.5V AA batteries, the connector from the old battery, sticky tape, and some quality time with their favorite soldering tool.

The good news is that your Centris appears to use the still-available 1/2 AA 3.6V lithium battery. Amazon has them:

3.6V 1/2 AA Lithium

An old trick we used when a dead battery halted start-up and we had no spares exploited a little quirk of those old Macs. In the presence of a dead PRAM battery, you could start the computer from a bootable CD (like an Apple install/restore disk) by holding the c key. Once started from the optical drive, you could restart normally and the computer was usable until the next time you turned it off.

My bigger concern is the power supply. I've had old Macs whose PS did not age gracefully and required replacing. PS versions for old Macs are getting hard to find at a reasonable price.

Oh, remember to remove and reseat any RAM modules to give them better contact.

Define "declutter".

From: Apple Reuse and Recycling Program - Apple

“We’ll make sure your preloved Apple devices and accessories are recycled responsibly or even given a chance to be used again. We also accept comparable devices from other manufacturers and small electronics — no purchase required. Please note that this service is not intended to receive loose batteries nor a device with a swollen, damaged or defective battery.”

The above page only guides you to in-store recycling, but the Apple Trade In - Apple page at the very bottom under Recycling > “How do I prepare my device for recycling?” also mentions sending a device in by mail. Contact Apple to find out more about that: Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

Apple did not manufacture a “Centris 615”. You may be thinking of either the Macintosh Centris 610, its sibling the Centris 650, or the Workgroup Server 6150.

If it is in good (surface) condition, then you may find someone who wants it as a museum piece.

As a utility machine, it is very much obsolete. We’re talking 1993/1994 here.

There’s a small battery on the inside, that helps the clock running while off, and a few other details. That will have to be replaced after so many years.

Alan,

Thanks for your reply, which is really useful, if only for showing me that I don't have the competence, or the time, to bring the Centris back to life. My time these days. is taken up with composing, mixing and editing in my studio - so I guess that the best I can do is find someone who would love to undertake the work or ask Apple about recycling.

Hi,

Decluttering describes getting rid of things one too longer needs - by recycling, giving away or (occasionally) selling. My wife and I have embarked on a serious program of getting rid of things we no longer see as important, to make our life simpler and more manageable. We don't have a lot of stuff but the less we own the better.

Judging from the replies, I guess I may well contact Apple, so your links will be important.

Hi,

Thanks for the correction - it is a 610. I guess, based on your advice, I had best start with Apple - unless there is a helpful museum around.