Apple used to make REAL servers
Jeff Geerling 28:15
290,099 views · 9,398 likes Watch on YouTube ↗
A #MARCHintosh project: my first Xserve!
Shop Micro Center's Monitor Madness Event: https://micro.center/1eb0c8
Sign up for a FREE 128 gig Flash Drive at Micro Center's Newest Store: https://micro.center/c1a7b6
Visit Micro Center News: https://micro.center/310248
Things I mentioned in the video (some links are affiliate links):
- Apple's U.S. Manufacturing and ACDC Servers: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/02/apple-accelerates-us-manufacturing-with-mac-mini-production/
- House of Moth Xserve G5 PSU Recap Guide: https://thehouseofmoth.com/recapping-an-xserve-g5-power-supply-part-1-preparations/
- 65scribe video on Apple Network Server 500: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsVAdrdkyoA
- Menda IPA bottle: https://amzn.to/4sb2igE
- Kimwipes: https://amzn.to/4rBEIsw
- Apple's 2002 Special Event (Xserve G4 launch): https://archive.org/details/2002-05-13-wwdc-xserve-introduction
- Hakko FX-888DX Soldering station: https://amzn.to/4cHQy0k
- iFixit FixMat Magnetic Project Mat: https://amzn.to/3Pw44KF
- iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit: https://amzn.to/4synBbI
- Chipquik SMD291 No-Clean Tack Flux: https://amzn.to/4bluGpi
- Inland Platinum 256GB SSD: https://www.microcenter.com/product/645077/inland-platinum-256gb-ssd-3d-tlc-nand-sata-iii-6gb-s-25-internal-solid-state-drive
- My Xserve G5 build log / notes: https://github.com/users/geerlingguy/projects/10
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geerlingguy
Sponsor me on GitHub: https://github.com/sponsors/geerlingguy
Merch: https://www.redshirtjeff.com
2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GeerlingEngineering
3rd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Level2Jeff
Contents:
00:00 - Apple's secret ACDC servers
01:06 - Thank the maker
01:38 - Prepping the fix
02:58 - Cracking open the PSU
06:03 - Moo
07:36 - New cap fr
08:44 - Soldering tips
11:39 - Reassembling the PSU
12:47 - Testing the PSU
13:46 - HDD trays and proprietary connections
14:30 - Reassembling the Xserve and first coil whine
16:01 - First boot!
19:39 - Installing Mac OS X Server 10.3 on an SSD
22:49 - Using Mac OS X Server in 2026
24:58 - Hardware locks
26:19 - Rack the Mac
27:35 - Apple's humility and looking forward
Shop Micro Center's Monitor Madness Event: https://micro.center/1eb0c8
Sign up for a FREE 128 gig Flash Drive at Micro Center's Newest Store: https://micro.center/c1a7b6
Visit Micro Center News: https://micro.center/310248
Things I mentioned in the video (some links are affiliate links):
- Apple's U.S. Manufacturing and ACDC Servers: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/02/apple-accelerates-us-manufacturing-with-mac-mini-production/
- House of Moth Xserve G5 PSU Recap Guide: https://thehouseofmoth.com/recapping-an-xserve-g5-power-supply-part-1-preparations/
- 65scribe video on Apple Network Server 500: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsVAdrdkyoA
- Menda IPA bottle: https://amzn.to/4sb2igE
- Kimwipes: https://amzn.to/4rBEIsw
- Apple's 2002 Special Event (Xserve G4 launch): https://archive.org/details/2002-05-13-wwdc-xserve-introduction
- Hakko FX-888DX Soldering station: https://amzn.to/4cHQy0k
- iFixit FixMat Magnetic Project Mat: https://amzn.to/3Pw44KF
- iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit: https://amzn.to/4synBbI
- Chipquik SMD291 No-Clean Tack Flux: https://amzn.to/4bluGpi
- Inland Platinum 256GB SSD: https://www.microcenter.com/product/645077/inland-platinum-256gb-ssd-3d-tlc-nand-sata-iii-6gb-s-25-internal-solid-state-drive
- My Xserve G5 build log / notes: https://github.com/users/geerlingguy/projects/10
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geerlingguy
Sponsor me on GitHub: https://github.com/sponsors/geerlingguy
Merch: https://www.redshirtjeff.com
2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GeerlingEngineering
3rd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Level2Jeff
Contents:
00:00 - Apple's secret ACDC servers
01:06 - Thank the maker
01:38 - Prepping the fix
02:58 - Cracking open the PSU
06:03 - Moo
07:36 - New cap fr
08:44 - Soldering tips
11:39 - Reassembling the PSU
12:47 - Testing the PSU
13:46 - HDD trays and proprietary connections
14:30 - Reassembling the Xserve and first coil whine
16:01 - First boot!
19:39 - Installing Mac OS X Server 10.3 on an SSD
22:49 - Using Mac OS X Server in 2026
24:58 - Hardware locks
26:19 - Rack the Mac
27:35 - Apple's humility and looking forward
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