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The mystery of the Quadra 605...
Posted by: edibot42 on 2009-12-01 18:42:24
Hi guys,

I recently got this Quadra 605 from ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260510108280

However, it doesn't work. When I tried to turn it on the hard drive spun but i got no video at all. :-/

There are a few things wrong with it:

First off, a capacitor is missing from next to the SIMM slot. (1st photo, upper right of slot) I guess I need to solder it back on, but I have very little soldering experience.

Of course the PRAM battery is missing, does it need one to start? If so, where should I get one from.

Lastly, it has an overclock switch installed- any idea which position it should be in?

Feel free to ask more questions, ill try to answer them best I can.

Thanks for your help,

edibot42 :rambo:







Posted by: JRL on 2009-12-01 19:01:29
Yup, it needs a working battery to start in normal cases. You can try turning it on, and doing a quick off/on flick on the PSU. That should give it video without the battery. If you want a battery, Fry's in Sunnyvale sells them for $6.

IMO, you should try and see if it works without that cap, but don't toss it. There is a chance that it might not be needed at all.

and in regards to the overclock switch, it doesn't matter; the switch settings are most likely for different CPU speed settings.
Posted by: johnklos on 2009-12-01 20:30:52
If you get a chime, then you just need a battery. If you don't, then you do need to solder that capacitor back.

Soldering isn't hard to learn at all, and since it's just two leads, it'd be hard to screw up. It's worth the investment to buy a soldering iron, some solder, some desoldering braid, a 99¢ practice circuit board, and a $1.29 14 pin socket to practice. Then you won't be afraid to do the next soldering job.
Posted by: Osgeld on 2009-12-02 06:50:36
and since it's just two leads, it'd be hard to screw up.
not that hard, that capacitor is polarized, so it needs to go the right way in, its also smt which can be a pain to solder down
Posted by: weif on 2009-12-02 10:06:44
On the battery thing, johnklos is right. If you get a chime, then the system is ready to load. However, as JRL said, switch it off and back on right away and see if it boots.

When the battery has died on my Q605, flipping it on, letting it chime, then switching it off and back on again will get it to boot.

I'm not sure about that C36 capacitor, though...
Posted by: Dog Cow on 2009-12-02 11:40:47
As everyone has said, it's always the battery. You'll get the startup chord, but nothing else until the battery has been replaced.
Posted by: olePigeon on 2009-12-02 20:00:34
Fremont Fry's also has 1/2 AA 3.6v batteries. San Jose Fry's does not carry them.
Posted by: edibot42 on 2009-12-02 21:57:14
Thanks for the advice so far,

It wasn't chiming before so i put a new battery in but that changed nothing.

So I soldered the cap back in, using 2 short wires but it is still the same: no chime, hd spins up, no video

By the way, I'm using it with a VGA adapter that works fine on my power mac 5400.

Maybe the quadra needs different switch settings.

Any other ideas?
Posted by: JRL on 2009-12-03 06:59:59
Thanks for the advice so far,It wasn't chiming before so i put a new battery in but that changed nothing.

So I soldered the cap back in, using 2 short wires but it is still the same: no chime, hd spins up, no video

By the way, I'm using it with a VGA adapter that works fine on my power mac 5400.

Maybe the quadra needs different switch settings.

Any other ideas?
Try soldering the cap directly to the motherboard.
Posted by: Osgeld on 2009-12-03 07:36:02
wont make a difference
Posted by: johnklos on 2009-12-03 11:48:49
If you've got some good plans for your Quadra and can't get the motherboard working, I could see if I can find one I can send to you. Where are you located?

I have a lot of spare hardware, and I'd like to see it get used. I'll have to post something on here sometime to find homes for some of it...
Posted by: JRL on 2009-12-03 15:16:35
Hey again! Would you be interested in organizing another trade of some sort for the Quadra?

-J
Posted by: edibot42 on 2009-12-03 16:31:09
I'm in 94019 if you want to send me a motherboard. I'm going to do some more tinkering with it over the weekend and if I still cant get it to work I'd gladly accept a replacement motherboard. :approve:

JRL- If I cant get it running and the replacement motherboard falls through then I'd gladly trade it. 😉

Posted by: JRL on 2009-12-03 18:19:48
Whoops, my bad. I meant to PM you.
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