I got a DUO!!!...but.......

[beachycove]

It would be ideal to use a Duo adapter only because it is a Duo adapter, so the plastics match, etc. As to which adapters will run it, I have had mine running off my brick Wallstreet adapter at times. In fact, I run a Wallstreet 233/ 12" screen from Duo adapter too.

I haven't tried the yoyo, but it should work: it runs the Wallstreet, so it should run the Duo.

I don't know if the extra wattage will cause problems long term. Anyone else care to comment?

 

[Patrickool93]

I think it only takes what it needs.

 

[The Macster]

OK then, I just looked up some eBay listings for G3 adapters, not because I'm thinking of buying one but because they normally list what is compatible with what. As far as I can see the adapter from any PPC up to and including all the G3 PBs and the 466 MHz iBook will work, except possibly the PB 5300, which none of the listings for G3 adapters seem to mention as being compatible. This is great news anyway, I will post a new Wanted on Freecycle and hopefully get something suitable! Thanks

 

[wally]

If it were my Freecycle conquest I would just power it up with either my 1400 power adapter or a yo-yo, for test purposes and initial use. The only benefit of the Duo supply is that it will limit the damage more due to its lower current limit rating only if there should be an internal Duo overload or short, which I would have made unlikely by internal inspection before powering up. For a collection machine it is much nicer to have the exact Duo supply, for one the colors will match better. It's real good to have a 1400 and/or yo-yo supply around, they will power a number of models that will get you on the Internet comfortably.

 

[The Macster]

Well I had given up on finding an adapter, but I just got this email in response to the note that I put on the university message board:

XXXXXXX,
I have a complete Duo which you are welcome to. Not sure which model it is as I cannot remove it from the dock at present.

The power adapter says for use with models M7777, M7778 and M7782.

The dock has the model number BCGM7779

Any use?

XXXXXXX

Computer Associate

Department of XXXXXXX

From the model numbers printed on the adapter it sounds like it might be an actual Duo 230, because M7777 is the Duo 230, M7778 is the external battery recharger for it and M7782 the Duo 230 battery. Do you reckon I should get just the adapter or the whole lot? I'm worried that the DuoDock might be absolutely massive, given that I'm really limited on storage space - does anyone have one? How does it compare in size to, say, a Mac LC? I don't know how far away it is yet ie how far I will have to carry it, which will be difficult if the Dock is heavy. Will I find the Dock useful - does it do much other than add the usual complement of Mac ports that the Duo lacks? Also I'm not sure from what they say if the Duo is jammed inside and so the whole lot might be useless, or whether they just don't have access to it or something like that.

 

[Patrickool93]

I'd say it's about the size of 2 LC's stacked iirc. Definitely worth getting though! They probably can't get it for 2 reasons- It has not been turned on and ejected, or it is locked.

 

[The Macster]

If it's locked without a key (they have a key?), is the whole lot useless then? The Duo can only be ejected while turned on can it? I think I'm going to have a look at it tomorrow, so I will decide upon seeing it whether I want all of it. Not quite sure what I'll do with two Duos though...

 

[Maniacintosh]

I had two Duo 230s a few years ago, but they were stolen when our house was broken into.

I'm on the hunt for a 270c/280c/2300c now.

 

[Patrickool93]

I don;t knowIf it does not have the key, I'm sure there are work-arounds.

 

[Kami]

It is the case that the Duo can never get online then? (as it doesn't really have any ports of any description) The 520 has seen the internet, although it does have built-in ethernet - for some reason it worked on the 100mbit network at uni, but didn't seem to like the router at home when I tried it.

With any of the Duos if you want to get online then you need to find of the micro-docks that have 10BaseT. Not the easiest things to find anymore

Otherwise you need to get a duo dock and add a Nubus ethernet card

 

[cangrande]

Or a SCSI dock and a SCSI-Ethernet adapter, or one of the (slow) localtalk-ethernet adapters.

The ethernet microdocks are the best, though. Bummer I sold mine

 

[The Macster]

Otherwise you need to get a duo dock and add a Nubus ethernet card

The Dock has slots? Wow, the Dock sounds really strange, almost like another entire computer. Apparently they can have graphics memory, a hard drive - everything you'd have in a complete computer! There is an AAUI ethernet card in my IIci - would that work or do you need special ones for the DuoDock?

 

[Patrickool93]

Most Duo Docks has built in AAUI.

 

[LCGuy]

The Dock basically has everything that your Duo doesn't, to make it a full-fledged desktop computer. NuBus slots. Internal hard drive bay. Extra graphics memory.

 

[Kami]

I'm not really fond of AAUI transceivers. The connector doesn't really make a solid connection with the duo dock (or Apple laser printer) and can slip out if you move your equipment around. Besides, its way more fun to open the dock and install the Nubus card

Edit: spelling

 

[Maconthemove]

Do not for get there is a place for the FPU chip

 

[The Macster]

Ah I see - the card I have is only AAUI anyway. The transceivers have always been adequate in my experience at least, so I will have a go with that if I can get my router or wireless bridge to play nicely with old Macs this time! If I get the Dock I will have to have a close look at what's in it - I expect I will have lots of questions for you guys! Never really seen anything less conventional like this before...

 

[The Macster]

Right, I'm afraid I need your help...

So this morning I went and got these Duo bits, and I now have:

-DuoDock with Duo 210 laptop inside it (in addition to the first Duo 230 that I got before)

-Duo MiniDock (no ethernet though)

-HDI-20 Floppy drive

-Grey PowerBook-coloured ADB Mouse II (never seen one of these before)

-Apple Express Modem DAA

-Two Duo power adapters

-SCSI and USB (transparent) Zip drives with adapters - I was excited to see the SCSI one but sadly upon closer inspection the front is bent and there seems to be a bit of plastic floating around inside The USB one looks OK though.

However, most of this lot seems dead :'( First I plugged in the original Duo, and it does nothing when I press the power button on the front, and makes a high-pitched sound when I press the one on the back. The "new" Duo, the 210, briefly made that sound when I first plugged it in, but does fire up. The Dock simply makes faint ticking sounds when I plug it in (I had to get the 210 out by pressing the emergency eject switch on the side). Any ideas? :'(

The Duo service manual says "Make sure that the logic board mounting screw that also serves as a battery contact is installed. (Screw should be installed on contact located on right side)" - what is this about? Does it mean you need screws in the bottom of the case for it to work? I tried taking the battery out but it still wouldn't start up. Should I try holding down the rear power button?

The Duo 210 has a 75 MB hard drive and 16 MB Ram, currently with OS 7.1 installed, possibly some life in the battery though not sure if enough to actually be useable or not. Looks like it was last used in about 2001, judging by the documents on it. It has Netscape 2 on the desktop, which the homepage pointing to the university department's site - can't believe someone actually used that browser for serious web work even in 2001! It does at least have screws in the bottom, but has some security etchings on the underside of the case. It also has a shiny silver sticker on the top which doesn't want to come off - it seems more than just a paper sticker. Is there any way to get one of these off?

 

[The Macster]

OK, this whole lot seems a pile of junk - I tried the 210 again, having started it up and shut down again once, and it wouldn't respond when I pressed the front power switch, played death chimes (never heard any of those before on a real Mac) when I pressed the back one, and eventually started up normally after repeatedly jabbing at both the front and back switches. Should I just ditch all of this stuff, none of it seems to work properly? :'( :'( :'(

I have now at least managed to get the sticker off the lid of Duo 210, but it's left some gummy residue

 

[wally]

OK, this whole lot seems a pile of junk...Should I just ditch all of this stuff, none of it seems to work properly? :'( :'( :'(

Hmmm, cost you nothing, not used for years...let's not be too hasty! Give the batteries in the 210, first the main and then the internal PRAM, time to charge overnight. Then if necessary you can research how to resync the power manager. Since the 210 does boot (admittedly with some extra effort) you can use it to verify both adaptors are good, and if either or both main batteries charge and have any capacity whatsoever. If you have at least one good adaptor and main battery pack, you can then apply them to the Duo 230 overnight to see if the PRAM internal battery can be recharged.

Apple uses a plastic alloy of polycarbonate and ABS in fabricating older Powerbooks so whatever solvent you use on the gummy residue needs to be compatible. Start with water and detergent. A mild citrus/petroleum distillate gum and tar remover (in the US, Goo Gone) works slowly but well. If you try to rush by rubbing with a paper towel the plastic finish will show rub marks when the surface is dry. Test on the bottom first to make sure the plastic is untouched, and avoid getting solvent drip on the LCD screen. Ethyl or isopropyl alcohol will remove some residues that the above gum and tar remover leaves untouched, but can lift the paint on some spray jobs. Avoid acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and xylene, all of which will destroy the plastic.