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AppleTalk Network Woes

Scott Baret

Well-known member
I'm having some issues with AppleTalk on a few machines.

Both are re-capped, so we can set that issue aside right now.

The first is an LC. This one has never worked on a network, even with its original board. (I'm not sure if the original board was the one I got re-capped or if I put another one that had already been done inside).

I've tried a lot of different things on it, including a new PSU, a different box, a fresh system install...and it just won't see the network.

I have a Classic II that does the exact same thing.

I swapped out LocalTalk boxes themselves. No dice. I also know the box I used works; I was able to use it to join a known-good Classic to the network.

They don't see servers, ImageWriters, or other computers. I also dug out my LaserWriter to try with tomorrow, just in case.

Is it boards or something else?

 
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mikes-macs

Well-known member
When you say LocalTalk boxes I assume you mean Phone Net adapters? Are they properly terminated at the end. Try using a simple printer cord to connect 2 Macs together both on Printer port in Network or Appletalk control panel and turn on File sharing on both Macs. Then load chooser and see if they talk. It's the simplest form of Networking possible.
 

cheesestraws

Well-known member
The first is an LC. This one has never worked on a network, even with its original board. (I'm not sure if the original board was the one I got re-capped or if I put another one that had already been done inside).

Check the -5 V line from the PSU. On these machines, the -5 V line is only used for differential serial. Everything else will work without it but the machine will silently fail to network. This would account for two logic boards failing to work on a network in the same chassis.
 

Scott Baret

Well-known member
Check the -5 V line from the PSU. On these machines, the -5 V line is only used for differential serial. Everything else will work without it but the machine will silently fail to network. This would account for two logic boards failing to work on a network in the same chassis.

This is something I haven't seen before and definitely will try--I have a spare PSU sitting around and will pop it in there sometime!


Now I have a re-capped Classic doing the same thing...could it be something similar, maybe with the analog?
 

cheesestraws

Well-known member
I'm out of my depth a bit on the Classic II—and, I mean, don't get too caught up on the idea this is a PSU problem in either case. I believe on the CII, the AB only provides one negative supply and the serial and audio are both derived from that. So unlikely to be an AB problem, because I think other stuff would fail to work. People more familiar with those machines can doubtlessly chime in here.

The main reason I mentioned it for the LC is that it's non-obvious and quick to check on those machines, and might account for it if you did have two LBs in the same chassis both showing the same kind of failure.
 
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