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Rehabbing a tortured pismo
Posted by: torus_aei on 2026-03-07 22:25:59 Howdy everyone, longtime listener; first time caller. Curious to see if anyone has run across a similar issue before in the wild. Just got this pismo 400, and it seems somebody either overtightened or used the wrong screws after a past teardown. The machine powers up but shuts off when moved or picked up. I didn't notice this at first and suspected a faulty power cable connection, but after discovering the protruding screws I think it's safe to assume that it's shorting out somewhere inside. I'm not sure how I'm going to fix this, but I am playing with the idea of also replacing the outer lid and bottom case as a restoration project and maybe even make a video or writeup about the process for marchintosh.
Posted by: Byrd on 2026-03-07 23:29:48 Yeah that's not factory 🙂. Take it apart and see, someone has done it and it probably worked like this for years, it might be a faulty DC jack that makes it switch off when moved, over this butchery.
Posted by: AlpineRaven on 2026-03-08 15:13:30 I'd open up and see whats going on.. I have noticed poor connection on DC_DC board causing sudden power off - so you would need to open up anyway Cheers
Posted by: CC_333 on 2026-03-21 21:33:13 I'd open up and see whats going on.. I have noticed poor connection on DC_DC board causing sudden power off - so you would need to open up anyway Cheers Agreed. Another symptom of a faulty DC board connection is a lack of sound (both the internal speaker header and headphone out/line/mic in jacks are on that board). c
Posted by: torus_aei on 2026-03-21 22:39:04 Thanks for all the input! After closer inspection, I think you guys are on to something here. It's looking less like it's shorting out due to the screws protruding through the case and more likely that it's just a weak connection/the DC board needs re-seated. I've just taken delivery of some thermal paste and an IDE -> mSATA converter + 128gb SSD. I'm in process of doing a full teardown + ssd installation video for #MARCHintosh. Stay tuned!
Posted by: MacUp72 on 2026-03-21 23:25:24 I‘d disassemble the pismo and inspect the board for any physical damage
Posted by: torus_aei on 2026-03-31 00:19:19 So, that was pretty anticlimactic! As it turns out, y'all were right. The damn DC-DC board was loose and just needed to be re-seated... Totally unrelated to the screws protruding out the bottom. This didn't require tearing down the whole machine though, which I was hoping to make a whole video about. I don't really see the value in making yet another hard drive swap video as there are several on that topic floating around on YT, and I don't particularly feel like being berated over thermal paste application technique, LOL! I did have a fun little photoshoot with it when it was all put back together and up & running. Pentax K-3 III with Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 if there are any photogs in 😎 Thanks again for all the help and inspo to do moar mac stuff!! I'm finding myself doing stupid things like buying an Apple Extended Keyboard II and a drakware adapter to use it with my modern daily driver mac, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Posted by: AlpineRaven on 2026-03-31 04:16:59 Knew it was something like that! Well done, nicely presented photos! Cheers
Posted by: herd on 2026-03-31 05:51:23 I was imagining a far worse scenario when I clicked on this thread. That looks like a nice machine! I picked up a smashed pismo that was very crudely scrapped/recycled. I was able to repair the boards though, so now it can boot with an external screen, USB keyboard/mouse, firewire drive, and a bench power supply. It looks like a laptop on life support with wires hanging out. I use it to test CPU upgrades.
Posted by: MacUp72 on 2026-03-31 14:09:57 nice Pismo.. and nice photos, the Pentax is a good cam
Posted by: torus_aei on 2026-03-31 14:17:19 I was imagining a far worse scenario when I clicked on this thread. That looks like a nice machine! I picked up a smashed pismo that was very crudely scrapped/recycled. I was able to repair the boards though, so now it can boot with an external screen, USB keyboard/mouse, firewire drive, and a bench power supply. It looks like a laptop on life support with wires hanging out. I use it to test CPU upgrades. oh man, that must look horrifying... sounds delightful 🙂 who doesn't love a good frankenbook? i almost picked one up on ebay with a broken top case where the styrofoam insert was exposed, but ended up passing on that one. i see there's a parts dealer in the UK (1-bit rainbow) that has some b-grade top and bottom cases for the pismo, maybe for next year's projects i'll do a cosmetic facelift and get it looking super nice. i'm ok with the small dings and scratches for now, but those screw nubbins on the bottom are really bothersome. hmmm.......
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