The daemon Mac IIci: Can it be fixed?
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stephen_usher
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Re: The daemon Mac IIci: Can it be fixed?
The ROM SIMM has finally arrived. This is a good thing as I don't know how long the original, damaged ROMs will last as several pins have had to be strengthened with solder or replaced.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: The daemon Mac IIci: Can it be fixed?
So aside from the floppy, what's next on the path to recovery? Final clean up and conformal coating? Any work need doing to the case?stephen_usher wrote: 08 Jun 2023 14:18 The ROM SIMM has finally arrived. This is a good thing as I don't know how long the original, damaged ROMs will last as several pins have had to be strengthened with solder or replaced.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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stephen_usher
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Re: The daemon Mac IIci: Can it be fixed?
The next thing is the power supply.
When first powered up the display doesn't really start properly, as in the voltage levels are too low. It slowly brightens over the next couple of minutes. There are no capacitors between the FRB chip, the RAMDAC and the video socket so it has to be the main voltages. I did smell some fish from the power supply but I opened it up and the Nichicon caps look OK, but I'm going to replace them all. I've made a list and I'll need to buy some. There are also two tiny RIFAs in there!
When first powered up the display doesn't really start properly, as in the voltage levels are too low. It slowly brightens over the next couple of minutes. There are no capacitors between the FRB chip, the RAMDAC and the video socket so it has to be the main voltages. I did smell some fish from the power supply but I opened it up and the Nichicon caps look OK, but I'm going to replace them all. I've made a list and I'll need to buy some. There are also two tiny RIFAs in there!
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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rubber_jonnie
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- Posts: 14888
- Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
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Re: The daemon Mac IIci: Can it be fixed?
Hmm sounds fishy to me...stephen_usher wrote: 08 Jun 2023 20:37 The next thing is the power supply.
When first powered up the display doesn't really start properly, as in the voltage levels are too low. It slowly brightens over the next couple of minutes. There are no capacitors between the FRB chip, the RAMDAC and the video socket so it has to be the main voltages. I did smell some fish from the power supply but I opened it up and the Nichicon caps look OK, but I'm going to replace them all. I've made a list and I'll need to buy some. There are also two tiny RIFAs in there!
I'd definitely want to get those electrolytics done in the PSU.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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stephen_usher
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- Posts: 7376
- Joined: 13 Nov 2017 19:19
- Location: Oxford, UK.
Re: The daemon Mac IIci: Can it be fixed?
Well, the ROM SIMM works. Just need to find a replacement floppy drive now.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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rubber_jonnie
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- Posts: 14888
- Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
- Location: Essex
Re: The daemon Mac IIci: Can it be fixed?
sounds like things are coming along nicely :)stephen_usher wrote: 09 Jun 2023 21:24 Well, the ROM SIMM works. Just need to find a replacement floppy drive now.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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stephen_usher
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- Posts: 7376
- Joined: 13 Nov 2017 19:19
- Location: Oxford, UK.
Re: The daemon Mac IIci: Can it be fixed?
Yeah. Well, I also need a set of caps for the PSU, but that's easy to get from RS or Farnell, probably more the latter as RS seem to be running down their stocks of passives and ICs.rubber_jonnie wrote: 09 Jun 2023 21:32sounds like things are coming along nicely :)stephen_usher wrote: 09 Jun 2023 21:24 Well, the ROM SIMM works. Just need to find a replacement floppy drive now.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
-
stephen_usher
- Site sponsor

- Posts: 7376
- Joined: 13 Nov 2017 19:19
- Location: Oxford, UK.
Re: The daemon Mac IIci: Can it be fixed?
Looks like Mac 1.44 SuperDrives are not common any more. eBay only seems to have broken ones in the USA for quite a lot of money.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
-
stephen_usher
- Site sponsor

- Posts: 7376
- Joined: 13 Nov 2017 19:19
- Location: Oxford, UK.
Re: The daemon Mac IIci: Can it be fixed?
I've been soak testing with Crystal Quest...
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Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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Tomswork
- Posts: 776
- Joined: 22 Nov 2019 22:05
Re: The daemon Mac IIci: Can it be fixed?
For the battle of the psu this is handy to have
Tom
https://github.com/GeorgeRudolf/OldMacATX
@rubber_jonnie
Tom
https://github.com/GeorgeRudolf/OldMacATX
@rubber_jonnie
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