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Repairability of a specific Mac Portable

Andrew

Well-known member
Hi all,

I am considering in purchasing a non-functioning mac portable that throws the following error codes:

00000014/0000CD36 and 00000083/10001CF6.

The first one is: Power Manager board power on. During send, no start of a handshake.
I was not able to find information for the second one.

Does anyone have personal experience with these? Is it related to the hybrid module? Is it some kind of known un-fixable problem?

Although I do enjoy restoring computers, I want to know at least that it is possible before I purchase.

Many thanks,

Andrew
 

3lectr1cPPC

Well-known member
There are many factors of why this could be happening on a Portable. First off, how are they powering it to get it to throw out those errors? The portable needs a working battery to start, so unless the seller has a rebuilt pack installed, it’s likely that they are doing a big no-no and powering it from a PowerBook adapter. If so, that could have fried components in the power regulator. Hooking up a bench supply to the battery terminals is another option, which works fine IIRC.

Assuming they are powering it correctly, is this a backlit or non backlit model? The non backlit model is the M5120 and the backlit model is the M5126, so ask the seller for the model number if it isn’t provided. (Assuming you don’t see a backlit screen in photos. Even still, there was an upgrade kit for non-backlit models, so a backlit portable does not 100% guarantee that it has the newer motherboard) If it is a backlit model, than the HYBRID is a non-factor, as those have a redesigned motherboard without it.

Unless it’s already been recapped, you really can’t troubleshoot as bad caps/cap juice can cause all sorts of havoc around the board that could also be causing those errors.

Hope this helps.
 

Andrew

Well-known member
There are many factors of why this could be happening on a Portable. First off, how are they powering it to get it to throw out those errors? The portable needs a working battery to start, so unless the seller has a rebuilt pack installed, it’s likely that they are doing a big no-no and powering it from a PowerBook adapter. If so, that could have fried components in the power regulator. Hooking up a bench supply to the battery terminals is another option, which works fine IIRC.

Assuming they are powering it correctly, is this a backlit or non backlit model? The non backlit model is the M5120 and the backlit model is the M5126, so ask the seller for the model number if it isn’t provided. If it is a backlit model, than the HYBRID is a non-factor, as those have a redesigned motherboard without it.

Unless it’s already been recapped, you really can’t troubleshoot as bad caps/cap juice can cause all sorts of havoc around the board that could also be causing those errors.

Hope this helps.
Thanks, it is the backlit model. What is the "Power Manager board"?

The ad also contains the original power adapter so I believe he is powering it up properly. The battery is not rebuilt. No mention about re-capping but says board is in good shape.
 

3lectr1cPPC

Well-known member
In that case then, you’ve got a much better chance of getting it working, as the backlit model doesn’t have the hybrid. I did edit my first post as you were typing your reply:
The non backlit model is the M5120 and the backlit model is the M5126, so ask the seller for the model number if it isn’t provided. (Assuming you don’t see a backlit screen in photos. Even still, there was an upgrade kit for non-backlit models, so a backlit portable does not 100% guarantee that it has the newer motherboard)
So, make sure the model number is confirmed as M5126 so that you don’t run the risk of it being a backlit upgrade which would still have the first revision logic board.

The original battery is most certainly dead so I’m not sure why it’s powering up. Perhaps the backlit models do do something without a battery? I’m sure @techknight can confirm, he’s the real portable expert around here. Either way I’m sure that isn’t helping, it’s even possible that the sad Mac could be caused by the lack of the battery.

So, this portable would need a new rebuilt battery and 9v backup battery, a good recapping and likely some maintenance to the FDD and HDD, but I see no reason why it wouldn’t be restorable. The charger also likely needs to be recapped.
 
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Andrew

Well-known member
Thanks once again. I just ordered it.


It is interesting that it has the 8mb upgrade. I thought that the m5126 models did not support the full 8mb upgrade - at least according to https://maceffects.com/products/8mb-memory-upgrade-for-macintosh-portable-m5120-m5126

edit: The seller says it is m5126
 

3lectr1cPPC

Well-known member
Good luck! To clarify, I made a typo and stated that “I see no reason why it would be restorable”, I meant wouldn’t 🙂
 

Andrew

Well-known member
Good luck! To clarify, I made a typo and stated that “I see no reason why it would be restorable”, I meant wouldn’t 🙂
Yeah, I figured! Let's hope for the best. At least it is in very good shape, and comes with a few accessories (modem and memory upgrade)
 

3lectr1cPPC

Well-known member
According to Mactracker, the non-backlit models support up to 9MB of ram and the backlit models support 8MB. It looks like the Maceffects website just states that their card needs to be modified to work at 8MB on a backlit portable, I’d assume whatever upgrade is in the one you bought was pre-configured for backlit models from the manufacturer.
 

Andrew

Well-known member
According to Mactracker, the non-backlit models support up to 9MB of ram and the backlit models support 8MB. It looks like the Maceffects website just states that their card needs to be modified to work at 8MB on a backlit portable, I’d assume whatever upgrade is in the one you bought was pre-configured for backlit models from the manufacturer.
there is also an additional expansion card which I believe is for the modem.

1660592433897.png
 

Berenod

Well-known member
Good luck!
I am the lucky owner of a working (recapped) non-back-lit one.
Unfortunately I am having trouble finding a reasonable priced 8MB expansion card, so stuck at 1MB, so system 6.08 and a bunch of software saying it needs more memory to run...

I saw the asking price, did it actually go for that? If so, they are starting to get expensive!
 

Andrew

Well-known member
Good luck!
I am the lucky owner of a working (recapped) non-back-lit one.
Unfortunately I am having trouble finding a reasonable priced 8MB expansion card, so stuck at 1MB, so system 6.08 and a bunch of software saying it needs more memory to run...

I saw the asking price, did it actually go for that? If so, they are starting to get expensive!
Unfortunately yes. I researched sold listings and found not working models going for 300+ euros. This one was the backlit model in good shape, an internal modem and the 8mb expansion.
 

mg.man

Well-known member
The pin configuration looks like a standard Mac printer/modem (serial) port. Which makes sense, since the OP mentioned there was an external modem?
 

mg.man

Well-known member
Actually, the eBay listing shows the external modem. I don't think Apple made a "serial" port for the Portable? Perhaps it's a 3rd Party one? 🤔
 

mg.man

Well-known member
Interesting... I guess Apple already had plenty of the DIN8 PCB mount ports... still, seems pretty confusing to use that for a "dongle". 🤔
 

Andrew

Well-known member
In the meantime, while waiting for the machine to arrive, does anyone have experience and can suggest a source for capacitors? Ideally a pre-made kit so I do not mess up? Is the m5120 and m5126 identical capacitor-wise? Ideally in the EU?
So far I found kit for m5126 (https://recapamac.com.au/) and for m5120 (console5)
Regarding the power supply, I found the capacitor values but no kit.
 
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