Macintosh IIci won't start up

[tanuki65]

I got a rather dusty Macintosh IIci (M5780) with no RAM or hard drive, marked by the eBay seller as "Powers On". I also purchased a Macintosh Color Display (M1212) which was "tested". I put in some memory from 1-800-4MEMORY on eBay marketed as a 32MB kit (16MB x2) for Macintosh IIci. I bought two of those kits. I put in a 160MB Apple branded IBM hard drive that I had used, tested, and installed a fresh copy of System 6.0.8 through an external enclosure hooked up to a Macintosh SE FDHD (dual floppy).
 
I had to use a trick from http://shobaffum.com/iici/faq.html#11: 

Spoiler

>RE the posting:
<< Does anyone know if these 2 supplies are compatible, I need to replace the [iIc]x power supply and I may be able to get a [iI]ci supply. The main problem is that the computer does not turn on.>>

Before you buy a new power supply, try this: Get ahold of a cheap "power strip" with an on/off switch. Plug the IIcx into the power strip. When the IIcx is off, leave the power strip switch in the OFF position. When you're ready to boot up, reach down and flip the power strip on. Wait a few seconds, and press the keyboard power-on button. When it's time to shut down the computer, go through the normal shutdown procedure. After the IIcx "turns itself off", reach down and flip the power strip to OFF. Try this - you may be VERY pleasantly surprised with the results...
The theory is that the +5 V charge is still there briefly when you send current to the power supply. If you can start up the Mac quickly enough, you won't need the trickle charge while it's running.

When I turn it on I hear the hard drive spinning up, and the IIci fans seem to run, but it doesn't read my known-good System 6 boot floppy (tested on the aforementioned SE). The floppy drive is probably dusty. Nothing displays on the monitor. I don't seem to hear a startup chime, though I might have once with all 4 16MB SIMMs installed.

Any ideas as to what might fix it?

Also, the forum says I originally posted at 7:53 AM! Good for System 7.5.3!

P.S. I have tried with both 2 and 4 SIMMs installed.

 

[tanuki65]

Also, it came with an Asante MacConi network card with twisted-pair and 10BASE5. I have tried with it out & in.

 

[olePigeon]

Hard to tell.  The floppy drive probably needs to be cleaned and lubed.  The motherboard could use a recap if it hasn't been recapped already.

 

[tanuki65]

The motherboard could use a recap if it hasn't been recapped already.

I think the capacitors look pretty good (I may post an image tomorrow morning). Is there any chance a video card would help?

The floppy drive probably needs to be cleaned and lubed.

Or perhaps a bit of dust in the ROM select jumper. Would taking the floppy drive apart, removing the dust, and then using a floppy disk cleaner disk work?

Could a broken/dusty floppy drive with a floppy in it stop boot?

P.S. The post above was my first!

Edit: I may do https://wiki.68kmla.org/Floppy_Drive_Lubrication. 

 

[unity]

If I were to place a bet, I would put it on motherboard caps. The IIcx/IIci are of the age that its needed, period. I have several and they all need a re-cap. At the very least wash the board well with hot water and light amount of dish soap. Paintbrush works well without being too aggressive. Dry with compressed air or hair dryer. I use a hairdryer and set them in front of a space heater. Then occasionally take the dryer to it. A lot of water can sit in the PDS slot holes and under surface mount chips. Its vital its 100% dry. Cleaning may get it to boot since cap goo is conductive (and corrosive). If it still does not work, the caps are too far gone or they corroded some traces. I use vinegar and a tooth brush to clean traces and remove green corrosion (1/2 hour max soak time, wash again with water/soap).

You may be getting different responses from different power supplies due to output. With bad caps a subtle difference can be a big deal. You can also leave it plugged in for about 10 minutes then try booting again. As mentioned, use the keyboard too. Both power-up methods use a slightly different startup path in the circuit.

 

[tanuki65]

I don't see any corrosion, unity.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow morning.

 

[unity]

Did you remove the drive bay? Corrosion can be very subtle.

 

[tanuki65]

Might http://www.ebay.com/itm/Macintosh-IIci-Re-cap-Service-/181702022611?_trksid=p2054897.l4275 help?

 

[tanuki65]

I did remove the drive bay, but I wasn't looking for corrosion. I'll look tomorrow morning

 

[unity]

Thats where I sent my boards for re-cap. He is also a member here. I still have to send him my portable board.

 

[tanuki65]

I'll check for corrosion. Maybe he'll read this topic...

 

[tanuki65]

I saw some grey stuff at the base of the 16V caps. Plan to clean the board with alcohol on Saturday.

--tanuki65

 

[tanuki65]

Cleaned it, works spontaneously. Will send to Michigan for recapping.

 

[olePigeon]

Oh goody.  IIci is my current workhorse.  I like it.  Good expandability, crazy amount of RAM, easily upgradable to a full 040.

 

[tanuki65]

Full '040 - how? I might do that.

Edit: Is it a PDS card? Those are hard to find.