SE/30 Buying Advice

[Sexytaco]

Hi,

A seller near me has a lot of broken Macintosh SE/30s. Apparently they boot but they don't display anything. They're about $85-95 each. It seems that a few of them come with what appear to be Asante ethernet cards in the PDS slot. A few also have Radius Pivot cards. The cases appear to be in ok condition, not that great but not that bad. Does it sound like a relatively cheap and easy fix? Is it worth getting a few of these?

Thanks

 

[gogopuffs]

If they're willing to let you open up the case (long Torx screwdriver, four screws, pretty easy to open up) and inspect the logic boards, then you can determine whether they're worth it or not.

If the battery exploded and leaked all over the board corroding the circuit traces, it's game over and likely not worth the investment.

 

[Sexytaco]

If they're willing to let you open up the case (long Torx screwdriver, four screws, pretty easy to open up) and inspect the logic boards, then you can determine whether they're worth it or not.

If the battery exploded and leaked all over the board corroding the circuit traces, it's game over and likely not worth the investment.

By near by I mean on close (ish) on eBay with negligible shipping charges. Seeing them isn't really an option. Still worth the gamble?

 

[bibilit]

To be honest, most of the time SE/30s will display something, but will not boot.

The other way round is rare (except if the brightness knob has been turned to a minimum postion)

in my opinion the price is a bit too expensive for a non working unit, but is just my two cents.

 

[Johnnya101]

The Ethernet cards can fetch quite a bit if they work. Like $100+ on ebay

 

[Brett B.]

They will all need caps.

Some or all could have exploded batteries

Plus other issues - bad drives, excessively burned in screens, bad analog boards, cosmetic defects.

No way would I pay $85 for an SE/30 untested with those potential issues.  The ethernet cards are the only bright spot in that deal, it sounds like.  I don't think the Pivot cards are worth much, I ended up giving mine away.  

Explain that to the seller and offer him $100 for the lot, if there is even a hint of an argument, walk away.

 

[ArmorAlley]

Unless you especially want an SE/30, I would get an SE instead. They are usually much, much cheaper and most B&W software of the period will run just fine on them. You will want 4MB RAM in them to make life easier. If you do go for an SE, be sure to check if it has an 800K or a 1.4MB floppy.

 

[trag]

When the seller says, "they boot", does he mean that they give a good start-up bong? If they bong, the logic board probably isn't too bad. They still aren't worth that much, in my opinion. There are still too many potential problems.

 

[Sexytaco]

Unless you especially want an SE/30, I would get an SE instead. They are usually much, much cheaper and most B&W software of the period will run just fine on them. You will want 4MB RAM in them to make life easier. If you do go for an SE, be sure to check if it has an 800K or a 1.4MB floppy.

Oh yeah, I definitely want an SE/30. I need that speed bruh

 

[Sexytaco]

When the seller says, "they boot", does he mean that they give a good start-up bong? If they bong, the logic board probably isn't too bad. They still aren't worth that much, in my opinion. There are still too many potential problems.

I'm not sure, but I ended up ordering one. I checked out the Dead Mac Scrolls, and according to that guide (barring the obvious battery and cap leaking) it seems to suggest a few very inexpensive parts need to be replaced. If worst comes to worst I can probably part them out, as the cases are in pretty decent shape, not to mention the one I bought came with an ethernet card. By the way, you sell SE/30 recap kits don't you?

 

[Sexytaco]

They will all need caps.

Some or all could have exploded batteries

Plus other issues - bad drives, excessively burned in screens, bad analog boards, cosmetic defects.

No way would I pay $85 for an SE/30 untested with those potential issues.  The ethernet cards are the only bright spot in that deal, it sounds like.  I don't think the Pivot cards are worth much, I ended up giving mine away.  

Explain that to the seller and offer him $100 for the lot, if there is even a hint of an argument, walk away.

Impulse buy. Had a good feeling about it. Comes with the ethernet card, case is in decent enough shape. If I part it out I can probably get the money back if I can't fix it.

 

[Unknown_K]

Just because there is a coax connector sticking out the back don't assume it is for Ethernet, it could be for a B&W monitor.

$90 plush shipping for a SE/30 with nothing on the screen during power up is not a good deal.

I think most Ebay sellers these days know a SE or SE/30 Ethernet card is worth as much as a whole working compact so they sell them separately IF THEY WORK.

 

[Sexytaco]

Just because there is a coax connector sticking out the back don't assume it is for Ethernet, it could be for a B&W monitor.

$90 plush shipping for a SE/30 with nothing on the screen during power up is not a good deal.

I think most Ebay sellers these days know a SE or SE/30 Ethernet card is worth as much as a whole working compact so they sell them separately IF THEY WORK.

Sure, but I didn't see a coax connector. I saw an RJ45 connector, as in I believe it was packing an Asante MacCon PDS ethernet card. It's already in shipping so we'll see what I get. Perhaps my impulse buy was a bad idea...

 

[Unknown_K]

Depends on if you like and can fix things. I took leaps of faith on items hoping they were fixable and most of the time they were, a few times not. But I am cheap so I pay very little for my mistakes (other then time wasted).

Good luck and tell us how it turns out.

 

[Brett B.]

Impulse buy. Had a good feeling about it. Comes with the ethernet card, case is in decent enough shape. If I part it out I can probably get the money back if I can't fix it.

Ha, well, still cheaper than impulse buying drugs or hookers.  Or cars........ I'll just leave it at that.  So now you just need to keep the thread updated so we can make a group effort at getting your new toy working. 

 

[trag]

By the way, you sell SE/30 recap kits don't you?

I still sell caps for the logic board. I have never stocked the analog board parts. PM me here or email me at trag@prismnet.com when/if you're ready to order.

 

[Sexytaco]

Depends on if you like and can fix things. I took leaps of faith on items hoping they were fixable and most of the time they were, a few times not. But I am cheap so I pay very little for my mistakes (other then time wasted).

Good luck and tell us how it turns out.

Haha that's good, sometimes I have a tendency to get a little over excited and go all out...

I'll tell the thread what happens

 

[Sexytaco]

Ha, well, still cheaper than impulse buying drugs or hookers.  Or cars........ I'll just leave it at that.  So now you just need to keep the thread updated so we can make a group effort at getting your new toy working. 

Guilty... I have a 1980 Mercedes 300CD diesel sitting in my garage waiting for my love... Oh boy

 

[nvdeynde]

I would buy those with the ethernet boards. The board alone is worth more than 100$ on Ebay. Battery leakage can be an issue but in most cases they don't boot anymore with a leaked battery.

Anyway, for parts alone, it looks like a good bargain if there is still life in it.
One with a good HDD  + ethernet board would have a parts value of over 200$..  .