68kMLA Classic Interface

This is a version of the 68kMLA forums for viewing on your favorite old mac. Visitors on modern platforms may prefer the main site.

Click here to select a new forum.
I won the bid for a local auction. I have an Apple Lisa!!!!
Posted by: berskyboy on 2026-08-22 08:19:06 On August 15th, 2026. I won a local auction for an Apple Lisa!!! Ok, ok, it was posted missing a few parts, and not working but still it turns out it's an Apple Lisa 1 that was converted. And there is no ugly battery issues, or corrosion. I'm just missing a few parts (power button and cable, and video cable). Here are a few photos. I'm so thrilled. Even AI said it was worth around $4,000 because of the cosmetic condition of it. I paid $1,525CAD + action fees.
Posted by: Phipli on 2026-08-22 08:35:32 Even AI said it was worth around $4,000 Take care - AI is set up to be possitive. Don't use it to re-enforce your decision making because it can be an echo chamber. Good value is for you to decide, not a computer. What is it IBM used to say in the mainframe days? A computer can not make decisions, because a computer can not be held responsible? Something like that. Not that things don't change, but this hasn't - i.e. even if a computer is capable of presenting a decision, doesn't mean it should be followed because it has zero accountability. That said, it sounds like you got an excellent purchase! Congratulations 🙂 What is your plan? Are you going to make DIY parts for what is missing? Are you going to run Mac OS on it? Or Lisa OS?
Posted by: stepleton on 2026-08-22 09:04:53 It's an interesting mix: based on your photos, you have a Lisa 2/5 motherboard with a Lisa 2/10 I/O board plugged into it; there is also the Widget drive from a Lisa 2/10 in the front. As you mention that the system is an upgraded Lisa 1, then the internal wiring harness going to the drive bay should not be compatible with the Widget. I would say: do not turn this computer on. There is a chance that a Twiggy drive floppy cable is plugged into the Widget's parallel port. The floppy cable has +12V on several of its pins, and that could damage electronics which are expecting no more than +5V. My recommendation is to pull out the disk cage and let's see what the cabling situation is like in there first...
Posted by: stepleton on 2026-08-22 09:09:05 The photo is blurry, but you also appear to have a Lisa 2/10 power supply (which is good: it works in other Lisas too, and it's higher capacity).
Posted by: stepleton on 2026-08-22 09:16:03 Finally, what do you mean by "video cable"? Inside the Lisa, there are indeed wires that go from the video board to the CRT and to the flyback transformer and power supply, but these are all soldered-down or otherwise permanently attached to something at one end or another. A few things to figure out but with work I'm sure it'll get going eventually. Nice ceramic-package 68k on the I/O board...
Posted by: superjer2000 on 2026-08-22 10:46:04 On August 15th, 2026. I won a local auction for an Apple Lisa!!! Ok, ok, it was posted missing a few parts, and not working but still it turns out it's an Apple Lisa 1 that was converted. And there is no ugly battery issues, or corrosion. I'm just missing a few parts (power button and cable, and video cable). Here are a few photos. I'm so thrilled. Even AI said it was worth around $4,000 because of the cosmetic condition of it. I paid $1,525CAD + action fees. Congrats on winning that. I signed up for the auction to bid on the Lisa and Apple III but was out for the afternoon and forgot about it. I was a bit hesitant on the Lisa as it seemed to be missing the harness for the keyboard jack and power button from the pics and I wasn’t sure what had gone on inside of it. Interested to see the journey as you work on it.
Posted by: berskyboy on 2026-08-25 13:57:23 Take care - AI is set up to be possitive. Don't use it to re-enforce your decision making because it can be an echo chamber. Good value is for you to decide, not a computer. What is it IBM used to say in the mainframe days? A computer can not make decisions, because a computer can not be held responsible? Something like that. Not that things don't change, but this hasn't - i.e. even if a computer is capable of presenting a decision, doesn't mean it should be followed because it has zero accountability. That said, it sounds like you got an excellent purchase! Congratulations 🙂 What is your plan? Are you going to make DIY parts for what is missing? Are you going to run Mac OS on it? Or Lisa OS? I plan to Run Lisa OS, I will try and get a few of the parts needed (Power and Keyboard Board, and maybe DYI the cable, and look for a Video Board, but I talked to Alex and for a test I should be able to use the VGA composite, while I collect more parts). I intent to use the ESProfile to run the OS.
Posted by: berskyboy on 2026-08-25 14:00:12 It's an interesting mix: based on your photos, you have a Lisa 2/5 motherboard with a Lisa 2/10 I/O board plugged into it; there is also the Widget drive from a Lisa 2/10 in the front. As you mention that the system is an upgraded Lisa 1, then the internal wiring harness going to the drive bay should not be compatible with the Widget. I would say: do not turn this computer on. There is a chance that a Twiggy drive floppy cable is plugged into the Widget's parallel port. The floppy cable has +12V on several of its pins, and that could damage electronics which are expecting no more than +5V. My recommendation is to pull out the disk cage and let's see what the cabling situation is like in there first... yes I did that and will likely not touch the widget drive or the floppy. I will buy an ESProfile and I also have a floppy EMU too. Eventually I could look into repairing both HDD and FDD.
Posted by: berskyboy on 2026-08-25 14:01:51 Take care - AI is set up to be possitive. Don't use it to re-enforce your decision making because it can be an echo chamber. Good value is for you to decide, not a computer. What is it IBM used to say in the mainframe days? A computer can not make decisions, because a computer can not be held responsible? Something like that. Not that things don't change, but this hasn't - i.e. even if a computer is capable of presenting a decision, doesn't mean it should be followed because it has zero accountability. That said, it sounds like you got an excellent purchase! Congratulations 🙂 What is your plan? Are you going to make DIY parts for what is missing? Are you going to run Mac OS on it? Or Lisa OS? Haha yah your are right about AI. I have mixed feelings for sure on that. My day job is a developer writing SQL, I sometimes use it for hints, and inevitably AI will be writing SQL, but I'm about 6 years off retirement, so I think I should still have some runway.
Posted by: ClassicGuyPhilly on 2026-08-25 15:45:44 Wow congratulations what an awesome score! Good luck getting her running!
Posted by: bibilit on 2026-08-26 00:33:57 Yes, i agree, i won't trust any AI when speaking about value or prices. I you are happy with the price you paid for it,.. it's fine.
1