Apple Macintosh SE30 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: radiorich
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 04:52:17 am
content: Hello Guys,Well I am getting ready to rebuild a old Apple Macintosh SE30 and could use advice and hints Also would like add a one Sata add on boards which allows me to add a flash memory or SC memory card .See I thought it would be fun to have this set up in The computer coding class that help teach . The young Teens really love these cool old computers .Sincerely Radiorich

author: tsman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 05:11:54 am
content: Check the main board for a leaking battery or capacitors. If you get a weird display or it doesn't boot then it is likely that some traces were damaged due to a leak. You'll need to clean off any corrosion and gunk from leaks then repair the traces. Replace the battery if it hasn't recently been replaced. You may need to replace all the electrolytic capacitors as well.If you want to replace the HD with something more modern then you'll need a SCSI2SD board.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 06:05:56 am
content: In addition to the mainboard problems described by @tsman, the "Analog Board" (power supply and CRT driver) commonly develops problems. There are forums dedicated to restoring these machines where you can find hundreds of pages of detailed information, including schematics.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 06:15:12 am
content: Quote from: tsman on March 05, 2019, 05:11:54 amI fully agree. While I am not normally a fan of "preventive re-capping", it seems that the SMD electrolytic caps of this vintage are systematically leak-prone. I would replace all of them (a good dozen, if I recall correctly).

author: radiorich
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 02:14:24 pm
content: Hello tsman,Well yes I plan replace capacitors and check all the solder connections and resistors .Anyway guys I have been in the repair business since the mid 80s I repair solid-state and tube gear .Sincerely Rich

author: barbeque
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 03:24:36 pm
content: Seconding SCSI2SD. It is probably one of the best of the flash memory adapter boards; like the name indicates, you can use an SD card to replace the original SCSI hard drive (which is usually either missing or seized).The SE/30 is a really popular machine because of its expandability, and it's worth fixing up.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 04:33:28 pm
content: The hard drives in these models are generally stuck, but can be repaired without being too invasive. There are rubber bumpers around the head magnets that get gooey and prevent the head from moving.

author: barbeque
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 04:56:22 pm
content: Quote from: helius on March 05, 2019, 04:33:28 pmI have managed to unstick quite a few Quantum ProDrives, they usually just rust (both spindle motor and the elbow joint on the arm). The Conner drives are the ones that have a gooey o-ring or something on the top that doesn't seem to last.

author: radiorich
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 01:36:55 am
content: Hello barbeque,thanks for the tip on the hard drive issues and I don't know the last time this computer was even running .I have original mouse and joy stick also extra external floppy I need to come up with a original keyboard thou . See I have a earlier apple to that uses that goofy keyboard with the phone jack .the kids in my computer class are excited to see my old computer,Well that SCSI2SD.sounds like the ticket .helius thanks for the info and guys I will keep you informed with my progress on this computerSincerely Richard

author: barbeque
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 02:35:46 am
content: Prices on ADB keyboards are getting a little higher, but there are still millions of them out there.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 02:42:31 am
content: Quote from: barbeque on March 05, 2019, 04:56:22 pmHow did you perform your repairs?

author: barbeque
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 07:17:29 pm
content: Quote from: Halcyon on March 06, 2019, 02:42:31 amShamefully, the unsticking of the spindle motor was pretty much me giving the outside of the drive a rap with the plastic handle of a screwdriver for a few minutes and then power cycling it. Eventually you hear a terrible clunk from the rust releasing, and the drive will spin up.The arm usually needs a few more cycles after that to start moving. I'm under no illusions it's a permanent fix or won't cause further damage, but one drive I unstuck three years ago is still going strong.I've seen other people open up the drive and give the arms a push by hand, but that's also very risky unless you work in a laboratory clean room.Obviously if the data is important, don't go around hitting the drive.