PowerBook 190 revival

[MacUp72]

At the moment I'm working on the revival of a PB 190cs, I got this unit a few days ago..I like the idea this is the last 68k machine of all powerbooks before and the fact that is similar to the 540 machines but with pcmcia, basically..and its actuall small footprint, smaller than the 3400..
of course dual scan color isnt the best but it is nice to have instead of greyscale like the base 190. It only was 50 bucks but without a powerbrick..but the overall condition is ok, not too much battery leakage.
today I disassembled it and scratched off the obligatory old electrolyte crap from the obligatory dead battery.



I noticed this small resistor at the heel of one of the quarz' foot, strange..never seen that.



then I assembled a little electric monstrosity for testing it to boot..I only have left one adjustable power brick with those changeable tips, but none of those fit this damn tiny power jack, I have an old UFO Pismo brick,with correct 24V and 2 A, but without the correct 3 prong mickey mouse plug..Apple.
Nonetheless it booted ..into a locked 7.6 install, interesting..I also noticed it had power problems..
disassembled again and resoldered the tiny power plug feet, much better after that.
Then I attatched my Bluescsi/PB25 combo for trying out different hda's, I then just kept the latest one possible, 8.1. ..Maybe I´m giving the book a new finish, thinking of a greyish off white like the white german keyboard..something like this.. fun.



'the last in line'..lol. ..reminds me of

 

[MacUp72]

hm on the oldCrap site there is a photo with the same mod done on the board..so I guess its stock, strange.



my 'power adapter'



..it runs, but the mouse on the trackpad is very jumpy, hard to navigate, I cleaned it three times now but doesnt get better..

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

..it runs, but the mouse on the trackpad is very jumpy, hard to navigate, I cleaned it three times now but doesnt get better..

This is a weird issue I've run into before and one of which I don't know the cause. I had the problem on a 1400 trackpad, but I assume your issue is the same. Basically, does it just jump all around, especially when your finger is even slightly sweaty?

 

[MacUp72]

it gets better when you clean the trackpad but it comes back quickly..and yes, wet or fatty fingers are a problem, maybe the tiny trackpad is just not good quality..clicking and dragging works under 8.1 though

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

It’s an issue with your pad - they’re not supposed to be that sensitive.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

I'm curious to see if my 190 board will drive the Active Matrix panel/cable from a 5300c in my menagerie?

Trackpads of the Blackbird thru 5300 vintage truly sucked, but were usable nonetheless. One day I'll finally design the buttons/surround to print for the Duo TrackBall assembly installed in my 190cs.

 

[MacUp72]

ok, intzernetz works now, had to share it up to my 12"G4 to see the actual IP the 190 is getting..the old 3Com EtherlinkIII pcmcia card is still doing a good job..also the 68k version of iCab browser..not sure what usage is this good for. lol.

 

[MacUp72]

I'm curious to see if my 190 board will drive the Active Matrix panel/cable from a 5300c in my menagerie?

that is a good question, 5300c and 190 cs use a 10.4" display but the manufacturers and display cables may be different..
but it should be doable:

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

I'm curious to see if my 190 board will drive the Active Matrix panel/cable from a 5300c in my menagerie?

Cable and LCD from a 5300c can be swapped into a 190cs and it will work.
The 5300ce cable and LCD should also work.

 

[MikeatOSX]

but the mouse on the trackpad is very jumpy,

There is an Apple extension from 1996 (size: 16kb), which is called 'Trackpad Climate Control' which can be installed:
"The extension works only with the PowerBook 190, PB 1400 and PB Duo 2300"

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Cable and LCD from a 5300c can be swapped into a 190cs and it will work.
The 5300ce cable and LCD should also work.

Nice! Thanks for the info. When I finally get around to the build, it'll definitely have active matrix color!

 

[MacUp72]

was looking for some matching platinum or even similar spray color for the 190cs but the closest I could find was a primer color..I try to match the original color of the keyboard mostly...a little brittle fun project

 

[MacUp72]

..came together quite nicley..as said, not my preferred color but nice nontheless, fresher.
the little leftover gray parts also give a nice contrast.

 

[MacUp72]

also a power brick came in, of course dead..should have gone the route for a new power jack and modern brick..would be quicker than waiting for recap shippings

 

[MacUp72]

There is an Apple extension from 1996 (size: 16kb), which is called 'Trackpad Climate Control' which can be installed:
"The extension works only with the PowerBook 190, PB 1400 and PB Duo 2300"

works like a a charm, thanks

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

I LOVE how that looks. I’m planning on doing up a 500 series PowerBook in that color someday - would look amazing I think. Great results!

 

[MacUp72]

yeah, my 540c black coffee edition would have looked similar I guess..actually its not so hard, so I would go for it, once everything is disassembled ( also display) and taped it doesnt take long..dont know which color scheme I would go for with a black keyboard though.

 

[MacUp72]

did some updates on the 190cs, I got a bombed 5300c mostly for parts for the 190..display, graphics expansion card for external, intfrared assembly, original working powerbrick and the back door.
The 5300 chimed but never attempted to boot, the board has corrosion on many places, as I dont need another ppc PowerBook this will go soon.

the active scrren display is much better than the cs version, it is a direct replacement..I noticed a resolution thing when I switched to Mio colors though.




back door sprayed and attached

 

[MacUp72]

I also tried to replace the original quarz crystal to a 20Mhz one but it didnt work, maybe its not the correct crystal..
rechecked the soldering three times but it didnt get better, then I resoldered the original quarz back and it worked again.







The 5300 also had a RAM expansion card in it, cleaned it even did some fine sanding on the pins inside the slot, but it isnt being detected..may it even isnt compatible, who knows