68kMLA Classic Interface

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Newbie questions picked up a bunch of compact macs.
Posted by: mikes-macs on 2023-03-17 13:47:39
What is the 9 pin connector that is shown in SE/30 #3?
It looks as though it’s connected to the monitor if I’m seeing this correctly, or is there a PDS adapter is the slot?
Posted by: melbourne on 2023-03-17 14:37:29
Hi,

Yes, its patched into to video harness. Maybe it was used to drive a mono external monitor in the past?
There is no board on the expansion slot. It looks like a hack the previous owner did.

-Mike
Posted by: melbourne on 2023-03-17 14:40:32
Nice haul!
On the question of capacitor kits, I've been using recapamac.com.au as a reference, and ordering them off digikey.
Thanks, I’ll place my parts order once I take all the machines apart and see whats wrong with each.
Posted by: melbourne on 2023-03-17 14:42:08
Welcome, that’s a nice lot to keep busy with. Does your username suggest your location - I’m also in Melbourne, Australia happy to help out if you ever need.

I’m in the US but used to travel to Australia for work.

-Mike
Posted by: melbourne on 2023-03-17 14:44:36
Caps on an SE/30 logic board are 10x 47uF @16V SMD electrolytic and a single 1uF 50v SMD electrolytic. I'd just buy them rather than a kit, because there are only two types.

I tend to replace them with tantalum, and it is good practice to use 25v tantalum for the 47uF caps.
Hi,

I have a dim CRT on one of the SE/30’s is that a sign of bad caps? I have’t tried adjusting the CRT pots only the brightness control on the front.

Mike
Posted by: melbourne on 2023-03-17 14:52:06
As far as leaky caps go, that board you pictured is in excellent shape for an SE/30. C13 looks to be the only cap that really barfed up all over the board. The rest are visibly leaking, but not as bad. I think you lucked out. Should be a relatively easy recap.

Here's a recap guide for an SE/30. Here also is a video. Same website has information for different boards.

The usual places for caps is Mouser or Digikey. If you're Australia (just guessing from your name), then you could try emailing the chap from the Recap Guide I linked to. He may have some recap kits.
Thanks, I have lots of reading to do.

-Mike
Posted by: melbourne on 2023-03-17 14:56:39
Curious what the item in the upper left of your first photo is?
Box of Mac software looks to be all HD 3.5 disks, no system SW. I’ll grab the images from here to boot off the floppyEMU in HD20 mode. Need to order the updated ROM SIMM.

Posted by: Phipli on 2023-03-17 15:34:30
Hi,

I have a dim CRT on one of the SE/30’s is that a sign of bad caps? I have’t tried adjusting the CRT pots only the brightness control on the front.

Mike
It isn't no. It can be a worn out tube. But could be a fault on the analogue board.
Posted by: Phipli on 2023-03-17 17:28:56
I primarily collect Apple II, Atari and Amiga home computers
You forgot Acorn computers 🙂

Posted by: Byrd on 2023-03-17 17:35:32
I’m in the US but used to travel to Australia for work.

Ah you got me all excited I thought there might have been another vintage Mac fan in Melbourne increasing the group to almost 5 😂
Posted by: melbourne on 2023-03-19 11:21:49
Looked at SE today, this one had a soldered on battery. Desoldered and will order a holder.
Has 4 MB and cleaned board and it booted right up.

4749622B-D0F1-486B-86A6-DF619CC15FF4.jpeg7D5DB703-1EC7-4D70-A233-CC161AB0D9E0.jpeg
Posted by: Phipli on 2023-03-19 12:07:40
Looked at SE today, this one had a soldered on battery. Desoldered and will order a holder.
Has 4 MB and cleaned board and it booted right up.

View attachment 53854View attachment 53855
How big was the hard disk? 3rd party driver icon might mean it isn't stock.
Posted by: melbourne on 2023-03-19 15:35:27
Hi,

It has a Miniscribe 20 MB drive. Huge and noisy compared to the 250 MB Quantum in the other.

-Mike
Posted by: Phipli on 2023-03-19 16:07:14
Hi,

It has a Miniscribe 20 MB drive. Huge and noisy compared to the 250 MB Quantum in the other.

-Mike
Ah, probably stock then.

Huge, noisy... and awesome 🙂

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