Alpha 1000A server from a pick up

**Newitt** · 05-20-2018, 08:51 PM

I lucked out (I think... I hope...) today from a Kijiji (Canadian Craigslist) pickup from a local non profit. They were cleaning out their old computers and electronics. Aside from the pick up, was a cool place that you pay a monthly membership too and get access to their wood and metalwork along with 3D printers and electronics department. Sorry sidetracked, but cool nonetheless.

Amongst some other goodies I picked up was an Alpha 1000a server that seems intact and in good condition visually for its age. I tried posting pictures but will have to wait until I can reread the how tos and figure out the process.

Being new to the the game I have a few questions. I tried reading old threads about it and found some info but don't know where to start really.
-is this something I should. Try and keep whole and sell as better than scrap, or break down
- if kept whole, what kind of testing is required. I feel this may be beyond me, but have never shy'd away from learning something new
- if broken down, anything specific I should look for? I'd rather not break all the way down to find some part would have been worth way more if I kept it intact.

Thanks for indulging me and my questions.

Newitt

**tski72** · 05-20-2018, 10:29 PM

Hi Newitt, I was looking up that server and everyone will have a different answer than mine, but I would be breaking it down and looking for any gold eproms and looking for the processor(s) to save them. Just make sure you are separating the backplain and any other heavy boards that it would have. Personally, I have not been able to find any market to sell anything on, my buyers are all through here so if anything, look up a buyer and I'm not sure about the shipping here to the states but there are some great buyers right here that pay quite well compared to things. online selling sites have not been my friend.

**jimicrk** · 05-21-2018, 02:33 AM

Before you do ANYTHING, talk to Sledge here on the forum. I believe he likes those old Alpha servers.
I'll contact him for you in case he doesn't see the post.

**sledge** · 05-21-2018, 03:24 AM

Thanks Jim for the PM.

Should have one DEC Alpha 21164A 500 MHz CPU in it. The hardest part about these is getting the Operating system on them. Does it have all its hard drives? If you plug it in and fire it up, can you get to anything? Meaning, is the OS on it?

**Newitt** · 05-21-2018, 09:28 AM

Thanks for the heads up Jimicrk.

Sledge So far I've taken it off the truck and placed it in the garage. Other than slowly turning it on it's wheels I haven't opened or any upped anything off. It didn't come with any cords, but I'm sure I have some that will work to plug it in. I'll crack into it hopefully tonight and get a better idea for you what's there.

p.S. TSKI breaking down everything is where I get my enjoyment. I know for a fact there's things I should have tried to sell whole that the destructo side of me takes over on.

**tski72** · 05-21-2018, 12:09 PM

Newitt, see everyone will have a different answer. Also, this would be the best place to start if you are not sure about what to do with something different than the common items.

I like the tear down time also, like to see how things are put together, but I also know that some of the things that I have tore down could have been better cash flow as a whole unit but thats the learning curve. And my days of the online sale sites have been removed from my thoughts. I once listed a bunch of 3 year old desktops really cheap, fourth gen I7's in them, and they sat on fleabay for 6 months with no bite and I did the same thing with a case load of commerical thermostats that were for building automation and they also sat for 6 months. Also, don't get me started on the scammers of that site because I have been scammed a time or two and there is no winning against them.

Good luck and hope you can deal with Sledge to bring that old server a new life.

**sledge** · 05-21-2018, 04:01 PM

Newitt-
Well if it is complete and fires up, you may be able to sell it for FAR more than scrap. This thing is slow (Max of 1GB of memory) and it would be more of a nostalgia piece for someone, but I've seen them in upwards of $1K. They are getting into that "you just can't find this stuff anymore" category. Takes the right A$$ in the seat though. I'm trying to sell off my ES40, and haven't had much luck so far (but I have put little effort into it either to be honest.)

Even if someone said "I'll give you $250 bucks for it" you are WAY ahead of the scrap contained within. Not sure what you paid for it (or if you paid for it at all) but resale of it- as is, would be better than scrap rate!

**Newitt** · 05-31-2018, 03:04 PM

Sorry guys and gals, I can't seem to get it working properly here I can imbed photos into the post. Below are some links.

I've left the server whole so far, still waiting to decide what to do with it.

Sledge - I tried PM'ing you but not sure if I have the proper permissions yet

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah282/Newitt_solutions/IMG_1699_zps2aln9emp.jpg

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/...psat3u3w3q.jpg

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/...psorck51mh.jpg

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/...psjmf9swjo.jpg

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/...psr6htmjug.jpg

**sledge** · 05-31-2018, 04:58 PM

Gosh.. Photobucket has gone the way of "Let me load all these ads and such and never get to your pictures" Ugh Could only get #2 and #3.
Update: I did get the front shot. A good physical cleaning may entice a buyer. I'd do an Ebay with Local Pickup only.. costs nothing to list it!

**Newitt** · 05-31-2018, 08:33 PM

Sounds like I had almost as much fun trying to upload the pics. Thanks for the patience and guidance Sledge and everyone else. I'll be listing it, see how that goes and if no buyers, then will take apart and try selling or scrapping the parts. Thanks again everyone

**jimicrk** · 06-01-2018, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by sledge

Gosh.. Photobucket has gone the way of "Let me load all these ads and such and never get to your pictures" Ugh Could only get #2 and #3.
Update: I did get the front shot. A good physical cleaning may entice a buyer. I'd do an Ebay with Local Pickup only.. costs nothing to list it!

Mozilla Firefox and Adblock Plus and I never see any ads.

**sledge** · 06-01-2018, 03:36 PM

Jimi-
I'm on Mozilla, but they flood the left, right and top with banner ads.. all the ads loaded and the center of the mess is supposed to be the picture.. just spins and spins and spins. Grrrr