PowerBook 5300ce Repair Issues - tips requested

[TimHD]

I recently acquired a 'cosmetically good' PowerBook 5300ce that had some issues. I've had a few attempts to work through the symptoms using the Service Source and reading other Forum posts, but am having little success getting it up and running and would ask for any further tips you have (short of recapping etc, but appreciate that might be a cause/something needed). The seller acknowledged it had some issues when booting ('occasionally operational' eBay Link) and as such it either gets to (i) Mac Chimes of Death (4/8 chimes); (ii) Restart - Bomb ("Bus Error"?) or (iii) failing to boot (Hard Drive shuts down mid boot as Finder Screen is being populated).

I've done a basic strip down and re-assemble and noted that I can solve the first 2 issues via (i) removing/reseating the RAM Board (NB: the PB seems to be missing the GASKET under the keyboard which might mean the RAM Board is slipping out - any tips as to what makes a good substitute as a small foam insert (5mm high) seems too much?) and (ii) booting with Extensions Off (Shift). But despite a check of the various components and careful re-assembly, I still find the PB is shutting down mid-boot (Hard Drive shuts down hard, screen goes black).

A secondary issue/symptom is that the PB boots once the PS is plugged in. I have done the PRAM reset and Power Manager Reset (per the Service Source Manuals) and can see no visual issues with the Power Board (no bloated caps or goo visible) short of electrical testing. The Hard Drive seems to be ok (per the eBay images, it can boot) but I seem to not to be getting that far, crashing about 10-15 seconds after booting with Extensions Off and just as the Finder is setting up the Desktop (don't get as far as seeing any icons, but it does get past the extensions/boot screen).

The PB has no battery, which appears to have leaked a little, but not onto the MB as far as I can see - it appears to have corroded 2 of the pins on the battery connector - so I am booting from mains with the correct Apple PB 45W power supply - see image gallery for high res details.

Welcome any suggestions you have for next steps to help get this going again in its full 800x600 603e 117Mhz 32MB splendour.

 

[Byrd]

Hi TimHD,

It's be nice to see that going - the  active TFT display on a 5300c/ce is magnificent.  Chuck in an IDE to CF card and it'll be a nice early PPC 'book.

First of all it sounds like power issues are your main issue initially - the 5300 have highly delicate DC jacks and it could be booting off battery (perhaps it has a little charge) than from mains power.  The caps on the DC power board also look a bit bulged - those 100uf 35V ones you have pictured.  I'd be cleaning the DC board with electrical contact cleaner (Bunnings sell it now, WD40 branded) - and do the same cleaning on the RAM and other connectors.

Have you checked if the supplied charger is also sound - multimeter time?  Have you tried booting without the RAM module installed?

JB

 

[TimHD]

First of all it sounds like power issues are your main issue initially - the 5300 have highly delicate DC jacks and it could be booting off battery (perhaps it has a little charge) than from mains power.  The caps on the DC power board also look a bit bulged - those 100uf 35V ones you have pictured.  I'd be cleaning the DC board with electrical contact cleaner (Bunnings sell it now, WD40 branded) - and do the same cleaning on the RAM and other connectors.

Thanks for the tips @Byrd. I am actually without any battery for this (but am aware PBs don't need them nor PRAM battery to run on AC power). I think the power supply is good as I've run the PB for quite some time doing various reboots and PRAM resets etc and it only seems to crash at the same stage in the startup. Hence I suspect though it at that stage  of the startup that the HDD and maybe the display (or whatever else is being pinged - maybe FDD check - at the startup is just sucking down too much power from the power board and it dies - so the most likely culprit is the power board.

I didn't think the caps looked bulged, but then I am no expert on this. Anyone out there able to replace caps on just the power supply board? (used to send MBs to Maccaps etc) - as that seems to be a common thread in past discussions and something that will need a repair at some stage.

 

[bibilit]

I agree with Byrd, caps on the DC board are bulged, a common issue on the 5300, will prevent the 5300 from booting or do any strange things.

My own 5300, and 1400 IIRC will boot as soon as the PS is plugged in, when not used for a while, think is related with the PRAM battery being dead on both machine.

 

[AlpineRaven]

Yep common issue as stated above.

I used to have PowerBook 5300ce back in late 90s and it was a nice laptop.

Saw that on ebay recently - congratulations - I was one of bidders as well but I got outbid.

Cheers

AP

 

[TimHD]

I agree with Byrd, caps on the DC board are bulged, a common issue on the 5300, will prevent the 5300 from booting or do any strange things.

Thanks. Yes, I would say so. Re-assembled again and noticed this time the screen cutting out during booting up, which I presume means not enough power coming through.

Anyone in Australia handy enough to replace the caps (looks like 100uf35V caps) as am not handy enough with the replacement techniques and these are rare enough.

Alternatively, as the power board is quite small, I'd be prepared to ship to the USA if someone wanted to do the repairs for a fee?

 

[AlpineRaven]

I do recap myself but I dont want to say "I'll do it" but I dont have the time, or I will do it but like in 3 months.. SO I'd say no, but I can suggest you Bruce Rayne to help you out, he's also from Sydney too.

Cheers

AP

 

[TimHD]

Thanks, Can you shoot me Bruce’s details (or better still e-introduce me. I am at timhd@outlook.com) as keen to get the old girl working again. While  I am not in a hurry to get it fixed asap, as these are fun pastime projects, I likewise  don’t want to ‘try’ and wreck such a rare item as a CE) trying to recap it myself.

Ps - If you’re keen to do it, I can wait til your freer or I can see if Bruce is up. After all, once I’ve played with it a while I might be prepared to flick it to you to play with or buy or something as I really jut like getting these old systems and maxing them out and then either have them on display or sell them to another enthusiast one day.

 

[FacnyFreddy]

Just to add, I replaced the power connector on a PB5300ce using a pair of "donor" units to get the right setup.

I had to wick the solder on all the contacts for the connector several times before it would come out "gracefully".

Then, I cleaned up everything and tinned the ends and now my working PB battery charges.

Replacing caps requires patience and a good liquid (or really SOFT) solder and a roll of solder wick.. and then some.

I taught myself howto "drag solder" surface mounted ICs this way... lots of trial and error.... good solder and liquid flux helps.

BTW: I have a roll of electrical solder with lead in it that I use for repair jobs. It tends to flow a bit nicer and I don't have issues.

since its stuff I keep, I'm not too ashamed to use it on vintage repairs.