Mac LC prototype ROM

[kupouzar]

In summer, I made a post about my Macintosh LC prototype. The original post is probably lost now.
Anyway, I've managed to replace the damaged logic board with a new one and I fixed a leg on the ROM chip and now it's working! So my question is… Is this an ordinary ROM or is it somehow interesting? Also note that TattleTech says Mac LC (19g). In case anyone is interested, I can also post a ROM dump.

 

[MacKilRoy]

The Elsie ROMs are dated June 1990. The LC final candidate ROMs are dated 9/30/90. So these ROMs being just before final candidate makes them quite interesting.

 

[max1zzz]

I can also post a ROM dump

Yes please!

I would also be interested in seeing a picture of the original logicboard to see if there are any differences between it and the production one

 

[Dandu]

I'm interested by a dump

 

[kupouzar]

Here you go!

I'm interested by a dump

Yes please!

I would also be interested in seeing a picture of the original logicboard to see if there are any differences between it and the production one

 

[joshc]

I think early production LCs used these ROMs, I don't think you've got a prototype unless the case of your LC is vastly different to the production one.

Here's an LC logicboard service part with the exact same ROMs on the board: https://www.ebay.com/itm/353948641431

 

[MacKilRoy]

I think early production LCs used these ROMs, I don't think you've got a prototype unless the case of your LC is vastly different to the production one.

Here's an LC logicboard service part with the exact same ROMs on the board: https://www.ebay.com/itm/353948641431

It is my understanding that some PVT prototypes were shipped to Apple training centers for technicians and phone support staff to learn the ins and outs of the new machine.

After they no longer needed the PVT machines, they were likely taken home by fortunate employees.

It would be interesting whether the logic board itself has a serial number, what that is, and how the case looks. Whether it has a serial number or not as well.

 

[kupouzar]

It is my understanding that some PVT prototypes were shipped to Apple training centers for technicians and phone support staff to learn the ins and outs of the new machine.

After they no longer needed the PVT machines, they were likely taken home by fortunate employees.

It would be interesting whether the logic board itself has a serial number, what that is, and how the case looks. Whether it has a serial number or not as well.

The s/n on the logic board is unfortunately a bit washed out. No s/n, model name or any other info on the case.

 

[MacKilRoy]

The s/n on the logic board is unfortunately a bit washed out. No s/n, model name or any other info on the case.

I believe that to be just like I mention above, a PVT prototype used for training.

The board does have a serial number which means that board may have been a finalized design, but prior to ROMs being finished.

They worked on the ROMs of the LC well into late September but they were busy making machines to test their production ability prior to that. For training purposes a confidential, non-production ROM would have been just fine I think.

Very interesting. Because the ROMs you have there can be reprogrammed it’s possible they were reprogrammed with RC or GM ROMs, and the sticker remained. Or they intended to replace the ROMs and missed one. Who knows.

 

[Dandu]

Thank you for the ROM

 

[North Hedge Ned]

This is very cool! I have one with a slightly later dated ROM - but one of the ROM's is buggered due to a nice battery explosion taking out 3 of the pins. The ROM is Rex v8 1.0A3 9/22/90. Perhaps I can burn the dump above into 4 new chips and run the slightly older ROM.

 

[North Hedge Ned]

Exactly what chips would I need, or better yet, is there anyone here that could burn me a set? I tried to 'fix' the broken legs on the one ROM, but they were eaten away right up to the chip itself.

 

[Scott Baret]

Something I'm curious about with the old board: do they run System Software earlier than 6.0.6?

I know the finalization date of 6.0.6 was 09/04/1990. (Source: I have a full copy of 6.0.6 from a Classic that shipped with both 6.0.6 and 6.0.7). The Classic ROM disk used 6.0.3 and has an unusual prototype-feeling Brightness control panel (the slider is vertical, not horizontal like the final release). I'd be curious to see if anything earlier works on it.

 

[unity]

I have a couple boards with those ROMs, I will have to dig em out and post to compare dates and revisions on em.

 

[yuhong]

I wonder if any Macintosh LC shipped with 6.0.6.