The ATX extension cable idea is brilliant...I have used additional SCSI and power cables for using multiple drives while working on an opened up compact mac, but I never thought to extend the MB cable - awesome! I'm also glad that you were able to determine the issue with your SCSI connections.

Thanks to all for the additional discussion on how to best deal with different kinds of connection disassembly and fixes.

I have recapped my 2nd SE/30 and it works perfectly, except that the sound was not restored. It acts the same as before, crackling (when it should be sounding the startup bong) and there is no other sound. I am going to try hooking up something to the external speaker connector and see if that works.

I also noticed (it may have done this before) that bringing up the sound control panel and setting a different volume or attempting to change the sound to a different one, locks the computer (it is running 7.0). I will do a little more investigation and hopefully get this one back to 100% running condition (although it is nice to have it booting and running normally, even without the sound).