Apple used to make REAL servers

Duration: 28:14

A #MARCHintosh project: my first Xserve!

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