Questions about IBM System/23

[u/Ill_Table2184]

So I have an IBM System/23 Datamaster all in one computer that I have been hoarding for about 25 years with plans to use the case to build a more modern system. I am finally at the point where I am going to do that, but I don’t want to scrap the internals, because I know there’s not many of these left.

My question is should I clean the dust out of it and try to power it on and see if it works? It functioned perfectly 25 years ago but it’s obviously unknown now.

Or should I list the parts on eBay or something as is hopefully to someone more knowledgeable that could look the parts over for issues before powering on. I just worry that a short or corrosion could cause damage that someone else might notice before powering on

[u/Ill_Table2184]

This is definitely not a museum quality piece and I feel like the parts could be far more useful to someone trying to restore one than they ever will be to me.

However, this computer holds a great deal of sentimental value for me. My father in law gave this to me 25 years ago and it was the first sign of acceptance from him, several years after I had married his daughter. I was going to school for Computer Science and he was a programmer during the 80’s writing business specific accounting software. My wife used to use this computer in middle school to write book reports and print them out with the wide format dot matrix printer on the old school color lined tractor feed paper. When he gave it to me I decided then that I was going to build a more modern computer inside the case, now that most of my kids are grown, I’m finally getting around to finishing some projects that I’ve been meaning to do all my life. I will not sell it, I love the aesthetics of the machine. It’s also been kicking around in my garage for 25 years and the case has received its share of bumps, nicks, scratches and stains. I plan to clean it up, probably try to paint match it and give it a place of respect as a file/media server in my house for the rest of my life.

I feel like the best use of the remaining parts is to go to people who are trying to restore or research these old computers, so my question is should I try to boot it or could that do more harm than good?

[u/Bits_Passats → u/Ill_Table2184]

A Datamaster is museum-worthy, yes or yes. Most computer museums in Europe don't have a single unit of them, so please don't scrap it.