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Home Forums 68kMLA Macintosh SE FDHD — #2
Post #2 by phreakout
Source Forum68kMLA
CategoryHardware
Post DateThu, 23 Feb 2012 - 08:11
Original URLhttps://68kmla.org/bb/threads/macintosh-se-fdhd.24805/
Post
Okay, to break down your problems one at a time:

NOTE: Bear in mind that I'm using this web site as a reference, but since the SE/30 and earlier SE models use the same analog boards, power supplies, video board and CRT, it will do for the moment.

...on the first power up the screen was waving and I could hear some cracks coming from the inside. Then it started to show a vertical line in the middle of the screen after some minutes.. well.. slapping the side of the Mac bring the image back to normal.
Was the "wavy" screen with or without a "herringbone" pattern? If with, then you may have a problem with the flyback transformer (T2) on the analog board. Your best bet will be either to replace the flyback transformer or replace the analog board, your choice. If it's without the "herringbone" pattern, then the problem is in the power supply. It's easier just to replace that and be done with it.

Is the vertical line wide or narrow? If wide, then you've got a 3 possibilities: (1) The P1 connector has some cold solder joints, (2) The C15 electrolytic capacitor (3.9uF, 35V, 85degree C, High Frequency, Non-Polar) or (3) The L2 variable inductor on the analog board is the major cause of the problem. If the first 1, simply remove the old solder and apply a new amount. If 2 or 3, then replace the parts.

But while I was looking at the contents of the HDD in the Finder mouse started to be really slow, it was unusable. So I turned it off and rebooted. And BAM!
xx(

0000000F

0000000A

And it won't start since so I'm really disappointed because it looks really nice from the outside and the screen is awesome, pretty bright. :b&w:
I'm suspecting due to the symptoms, that the RAM is at fault. What you can try is re-seating the RAM sticks, even cleaning the contacts on both the sticks and slots using a pencil eraser, Q-Tips, Rubbing alcohol and a small brush (wire or old toothbrush). Sometimes corrosion builds up on the RAM stick's contacts after 20 plus years of use. The corrosion is breaking the electrical contact with each part. Cleaning them should return it back to working order. If not, then one or more sticks are faulty and need replacing. I'm not sure how much RAM is installed, so I'll assume you've got 1 or more megabytes total. As a tech note, the original 1 megabyte specification may have used 256 kilobits x 4 spec and when upgrading to more than 1 MB, the service tech had to disconnect a resistor on the logic board, indicating that higher density sticks were installed.

Another possibility is the hard drive. Sometimes these old drives can wear out and yours may have kicked the bucket. But then again, it could be working, just has some bad sectors or otherwise. I would try using Disk First Aid from Apple. It should work under System 6 and later. If you have trouble finding a copy, let us know and we'll get you it one way or another.

I hope these help!

73s de Phreakout. :rambo:

mp.ls