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PowerBook Scuznet adaptor
Posted by: aladds on 2021-07-29 04:17:09
So in the main SCSI to Ethernet thread, I mentioned that I’d made a PB100 2.5” version. I have now (finally) received all the parts, assembled it and done some initial testing. IT WORKS!

Next step is the 3D printed “base” so it can sit nicely inside the PowerBook, and testing that all the cables fit properly and I can close everything up. It already looks like I’ll have to reposition the other end of the ribbon cable for the Ethernet connection, since it’s overhanging the case. Thankfully this is going to be at “normal” 2.5” HD PCB height, so there’s lots of headroom - I’ll just rotate it upwards.

Anyway, I have 4 sets of boards for this version of the design, and I’ll happily either supply these as boards for others to assemble or make some up as-is. Note that there are two errors on these boards, so there’s some drilling (which I can do before shipping) and a single bodge wire to be made. I’ll fix those issues in V2 (and line up the Ethernet jack on the back panel!)

Do please note that this is still very much a work in progress, I’ve hardly done any testing with it at all!

NB: The layouts are of course open source, I can provide them now as-is or I will probably fix my errors before releasing them as soon as I have time. DM me if you want them as-is.
Posted by: mg.man on 2021-07-29 04:30:08
Ooo... DM sent...
Posted by: cheesestraws on 2021-07-29 04:36:04
Very nice work! I don't need one, but very nice work nonetheless.
Posted by: aladds on 2021-07-29 06:59:29
Still a few slight snags - the 3D printed tray is a few mm too narrow so it doesn’t clip into the HD bay properly, the cable for the Ethernet card is very slightly too high so the top case doesn’t clip in place and the Ethernet jack is “pushed down” by a small tab which I’m just going to have to bend out of the way (one assumes the modem RJ11 socket needed it?)….

However, the card fits, the cable is long enough (phew!) and I can connect to my SE/30 over AppleTalk and do file sharing/copying and I did a ping test with the Dynaport diagnostics software - no errors 🙂


I believe this is the first PowerBook 100 with internal Ethernet!

(Somebody will probably prove me wrong now… 😉)
Posted by: Fizzbinn on 2021-07-29 20:18:19
Awesome, I’d be interested in one for my PB100!
Posted by: Trash80toHP_Mini on 2021-07-30 23:23:52
Amazing work, love it!
Posted by: Bunsen on 2021-08-01 21:36:31
So these would fit in any PowerBook 2.5” SCSI bay?
Posted by: aladds on 2021-08-02 00:46:07
So these would fit in any PowerBook 2.5” SCSI bay?
Correct. I've only got one non-Ethernet powerbook to hand, that being a 100, so I can't make different shapes of the "jack" board since I don't have anything to copy. However, there's no reason why this couldn't be used on any PowerBook at all. The hard part would probably be cable routing to an appropriate space with a hole, but FFC connectors and cables aren't hard to get, and could simplify that considerably.

Edit: I chose the particular cable and connector (including pinout) so this board should be compatible with modules like this:
www.aliexpress.com

3.7US $ 7% OFF|ENC28J60 LAN Ethernet Network Board Module 25MHZ Crystal AVR 51 LPC STM32 3.3V for arduino|Integrated Circuits| - AliExpress

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www.aliexpress.com www.aliexpress.com

This way, even for people who can't design a PCB, they can try to shoehorn one of these in somewhere instead 🙂
Posted by: DracheMitch on 2021-08-02 10:21:57
This is a really cool idea. I've been following RaSCSI, but that doesn't add networking to the Mac, just lets you do networking file transfers with the Pi (right now).

My favourite portable is the Duo 280, and I've got so many of them disassembled (to repair my main "Ship of Theseus" 280) that it would be easy to try this out once it has a final PCB design.
Posted by: aladds on 2021-08-02 12:22:08
Well version 2 of the PCBs are now in the post on their way to me (via the slow boat, so give it a week at least)

Now I don't have a Duo, but looking at the various sets of photos on the internet, it seems that I'd need the real modem connector since it also contains the power and reset buttons (or are they both power buttons?)

Unless there's a possibility that a slim Ethernet jack would fit on top of the modem "blank"?

I've been looking at these photos, which are really good - but don't show me how everything is sandwiched together: https://oldcrap.org/2020/04/05/apple-macintosh-powerbook-duo-230/

If anyone can give me any more information (or can hook me up with a Duo - there'd be at least one, probably two Scuznet boards in it for you!) then I'd be very happy to receive it!

Also random thought - but do we know if the IDE and SCSI connectors can be used on the 2300c at the same time? Because I'm sure we could make a CF-IDE converter fit into the same space with some clever jiggery-pokery 🤔
Posted by: Challenger 1983 on 2021-08-25 15:14:11
Well version 2 of the PCBs are now in the post on their way to me (via the slow boat, so give it a week at least)

Now I don't have a Duo, but looking at the various sets of photos on the internet, it seems that I'd need the real modem connector since it also contains the power and reset buttons (or are they both power buttons?)

Unless there's a possibility that a slim Ethernet jack would fit on top of the modem "blank"?

I've been looking at these photos, which are really good - but don't show me how everything is sandwiched together: https://oldcrap.org/2020/04/05/apple-macintosh-powerbook-duo-230/

If anyone can give me any more information (or can hook me up with a Duo - there'd be at least one, probably two Scuznet boards in it for you!) then I'd be very happy to receive it!

Also random thought - but do we know if the IDE and SCSI connectors can be used on the 2300c at the same time? Because I'm sure we could make a CF-IDE converter fit into the same space with some clever jiggery-pokery 🤔
I may be able to provide you with some more information regarding the hard drive bay and modem situation within the Duo’s, i can send you the blank card that plugs into the modem connector when there is no modem present, i can take general measurements of whatever you need as well
Posted by: aladds on 2021-09-14 10:46:37
I have finally assembled a version 2 of the main board, and it fits much better in the case, fixed the missing trace (oops) and I’ve tested it - seems to be working!
I’ve not finished the new Ethernet connector board quite yet, but there’s a good chance it will also be fine, and correct the centering of the Ethernet connector on the back of the PowerBook.

Once I’m happy with the assembly, I’ll start putting together as many as I can into kits, or assemble them for people and list them on FS/FT. They will likely be the same cost as the full size boards (£30 for a kit, £40 for an assembled board, both plus shipping)

The files to make your own I will of course release as it’s an open source design. Note that many of the silkscreen labels overlap pretty badly, so there’s at least that to tidy up before I’m actually happy with it!

A couple of boards are already spoken for, but do DM me if you’re interested in one. I have 5 version 2 and 5 version 1 boards - they’re all usable as a SCSI-SD adaptor for any PowerBook, although you’d probably want to print a 2.5” HD “sled” to make them mount neatly (I have one for the v1 boards I can share the STL for, not made one for V2 yet) note that I don’t have enough parts to assemble/put together kits for all of them, but I can get them ordered if there is demand. I am also very happy to supply bare boards!
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