Hi all - I work at an art gallery and we have a work of art that incorporates computers, electronics, & robotic components that we’re about to tear down & put into long-term storage as part of curation & preservation.
The gallery understands the long-term storage & preservation of more traditional works of art very well, but has much less experience with long-term storage of computers & associated components. The requirement is to store this work of art in such a way that it can be re-exhibited in the future, which could be in 2 / 5 / 10 / 20+ years’ time, and to ensure the integrity of the data that goes along with it.
There’s a lot of documentation (electronic) for this work of art, which we know how to store. We’re also taking snapshot images of storage media and storing those images in our digital art management system (DAMS) alongside the docs & other digital media associated with work (photos, videos, etc.).
My main focus at the gallery is cyber security, which is why I’m involved in this project, but I’ve had a long career in technical roles across the IT sector & have tinkered with retro computers for ages. So certain things seem obvious to me, but I’d like to make sure I’m tapping in to the experience & advice of those who have been on the bad end of this journey. 
I’ve already talked to the curation team about some of those more obvious things like removing batteries, etc. Some things are in the ‘we don’t need to / shouldn’t store them & we’ll let future people worry about finding suitable replacements’ (e.g. Li-ion batteries in laptops) but I’m keen to hear if anyone has more specific advice about things like:
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should we remove daughter boards from motherboards & store separately?
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is it advisable to disassemble computers & store all boards / electronics separately in anti-static bags?
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vs just storing (small) racks of computers as an atomic unit - OK or terrible?
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wrapping racks of computers as an atomic unit in anti-static wrap - useful or pointless?
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periodically checking components for deterioration (capacitors, other components, etc.), what should we include in inspections?
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what is a reasonable inspection schedule? annually? every 5 years?
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anything else I’m missing
If anyone has experience in this area, or has suggestions based on dealing with restoration projects, please chime in. If you can share the evidence or reasoning behind your advice, even better. I’ll be passing this along to the curation team & I expect them to want to understand the ‘why’ not just the ‘what’.
Cheers,
Jessica
The big one is battery leakage causing damage. Any kind of coin cell or battery for non volatile storage is a big risk. I’d recommend searching for and removing them. (Some motherboards will have a coin cell, as will some laptops.)
The next big one is capacitor leakage causing damage. Perhaps periodic inspection is the key: any bulging or any leakage or residue around a capacitor is a bad sign. Any metal that’s turned green or black is a bad sign.
I’m not sure if it is as serious, but some smaller surface mount capacitors can outgas something which turns nearby solder dull. Some people will prefer to find and replace those. I don’t know if the solder is progressively attacked or whether this can cause malfunction, or if it’s cosmetic.
Flexible plastic - power leads for example - can be a problem, they outgas or something, and deteriorate. They can damage any hard plastics they are in contact with.
Certain matte plastic or rubberised coatings can become sticky. Not sure what can be done about that, other than isolation.
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Hi Jessica,
Welcome to the ACMS Forum.
Of course there is the main issues to consider;
- Removal of all batteries, clock, system etc.
- Rubber parts and rubberised coatings - does it have any?
- Laminations - CRT cataracts, are they of concern?
- Plastics - do they contain flame retardants?
- Capacitors - are they electrolytic?
- Pastes/ Heatsink mediums, will they dry up?
- Liquid Cooling? - drainage required.
- Foams?
- Ferrite panels ?
There is a realistic factor with long term storage of vintage electronics - you simply shouldn’t. They were never designed for long term storage. Electronic components like to be running - electrolytic capacitors will start to deteriorate when not used.
Plastics with Flame Retardants will become brittle and fail
LCDs will delaminate and potentially enter into vinegar syndrome
CRTs may cataract and absorb moisture
Foams will dissolve
Rubbers will liquify
Belts will cracks
If you are planning on storing any items for a long time - your inspections will need to be quarterly. And you should be turning the items over at the same interval at minimum.
Adrian
(President)
Australian Computer Museum
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Hi Adrian - thanks for the welcome & info.
I should clarify that the equipment we’ll be storing is current-gen computers, electronics, & robotic components that form the control system and animatronic subsystems of the work of art. We didn’t have already-vintage computers on display as part of a work of art.
I’m hoping to ensure that when this generation of computers is vintage, they’re easier to resuscitate than usual.
Cheers,
Jessica
Electrolytic components are better these days, but are still prone to deterioration.
If they are modern, I would suggest checkin in at 3 months, 12 months and then 3 years.
The reason to do an early inspection up front is to make sure the packaging you are using isnt reacting… Some bubble wraps for instance can chemically react with plastics etc.
The robotics, if they are pneumatic obviously check for any potential if they are charged with an oil etc.