Powerbook 190cs full refurbishment & re-cap

[Steve]

Hey guys,

Guess what, I also restore Apple machines lol :) You know why I was excited about this machine? Because MagicMac on an 040 Mac is an absolutely stellar experience! I can't wait to run some super fast Atari apps on this :)

Here is my post about refurbishing this lovely little machine. I've never worked on a PB before so it was a learning experience. I didn't photograph the MANY brittle plastic tabs/screw mounts I fixed with ABS glue - but yes, I had to fix many. Without the glue the machine would not screw back together, I'm glad I managed to save everything. I re-capped the machine with the best organic polymer smd caps from Panasonic. The machine had the worst battery leakage I have ever seen, luckily only a small section of the power/input pcb had any corrosion which I managed to fix.

The original passive screen was actually in good condition but the internal display cable was faulty causing these line artifacts. So I decided to order a new screen from a 5300c which is an active matrix LCD & a new display connector; note that the display connectors are different and you have to have the proper cable for the particular screen. There were also different brands used. FYI this particular type of screen is still available today in large quantities as it was a highly used industrial display. I will update this post with some model numbers to help people out later.

original_screen.jpg

This machine has the full 40mb RAM! This is so great since they are hard to find these days

original_specs.jpg

The battery looks to be in a sorry state... makes me wonder what the inside of the machine is like (the outside is pristine)

battery.jpg

The insides have seen better days!

battery_leak1.jpg

The copper base sheet is in such a state of corrosion it cannot be saved (I did try) so it had to be discarded

battery_leak2.jpg

Luckily the PCB is untouched apart from a tiny segment of the power section

original_pcb_1.jpg

original_pcb_2.jpg

With a solution of 50/50 white vinegar & lemon juice I neutralise the acid

pcb_cleaning.jpg

I bathe the screws in the same solution

clean_screws.jpg

The touch pad screw plastics had broken, but managed to repair them with some good ABS glue.

fixed_trackpad.jpg

The PCB & body after being cleaned, much nicer!

before_recap.jpg

The capacitors replaced with high quality organic polymer panasonics.

after_recap.jpg

The 5300c display - I actually found an apple parts supplier in the UK that still had a 'new old stock' one sitting in their warehouse!

5300c_screen.jpg

Yes it fits nicely - note, it requires the specific display cable for this model

screen_fits.jpg

Glorious 640x480 256 colour active matrix

screen_works.jpg

She is happy :)

bootiful.jpg

Hope you enjoyed this restoration! I have a couple of little things left to do: * replace the prom battery / * fit IDE > CF and re-install OS

[stephen_usher]

An excellent restore! What's the brand/type of "ABS glue" you use?

[Steve]

It was this one:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372652376101

For acrylic and abs.

It's really nice. Doesn't stick to your fingers like super glue either, also doesnt leave any of that weird oxide layer super glue leaves.

[stephen_usher]

Oh, model cement.

https://www.humbrol.com/uk-en/precision ... ottle.html

[Umberto1st]

Nice work

[Steve]

Recently I was shown a horror story of capacitors inside the screen inverter board & display unit going bad and ruining someones old powerbook. I then realised that although my screen was new old stock, the caps were still 30 years old and have a shelf life. I opened it back up and replaced the caps. FYI I didn't have the correct size SMD caps in stock, so I shoe-horned in some radials. Not pretty, but this stuff is on the inside of the screen so it's not like you see it :)

PXL_20201004_140617750.jpg

PXL_20201004_143002186.jpg

PXL_20201004_152052273.jpg

[rubber_jonnie]

Good idea replacing the caps on the LCD board, those little aluminium surface mount caps are really nasty when they go, just one tiny one caused me hours of repairs on my Amstrad Alt-386.

Might I ask where you got your screen from? I am trying to get a battery for my Powerbook G4 17" and struggling like mad, so looking for any potential suppliers.

Nice resto BTW, looks like new!

[Steve]

@rubber_jonnie
From VIS:
https://www.applemacparts.co.uk/

Really nice old-school stockists. They know their apples from their pears ;)
Happy to recommend them as they did a good deal for me when I asked.

[rubber_jonnie]

@rubber_jonnie
From VIS:
https://www.applemacparts.co.uk/

Really nice old-school stockists. They know their apples from their pears ;)
Happy to recommend them as they did a good deal for me when I asked.

Cool,thanks :)

[sporniket]

impressive