SE/30 with graphics issue

[BL!]

Hi!

So I aquired a SE/30. It was known to be in a "not working" condition but I thought I'd take it on. It has a poor (but still) recap done to it (soldering skills from the previous owner wasn't exactly "top notch"). I've fixed a couple of bad soldering points and I think that the recap is kind of working now. When I start the machine it chimes and soon the picture with stripes comes up. The harddisk doesn't seem to boot but I'm not sure if that is becuase it's defective or simply not formatted. The floppydrive seems to be able to read my 800K system disks and when I boot up the machine I can see that it recognizes the full amount of memory installed (8MB).

I've tried attaching a picture of the issue but there is a problem when uploading the image. I will try a little bit later and see if it works then.

If anybody has any idea of what to look for I would appreciate som advice.

Thanks!

 

[LaPorta]

Possibly a loose connection on the LB-AB connector. I’d check continuity and probably just resolved them all anyway to be sure. If it really is a repetitive pattern (await photos), then it could also be a ROM issue.

 

[BL!]

Is just me who can't upload images?

Well, it definately repeats (same pattern), shame I can't show the picture of it.

 

[LaPorta]

what issue are you having with uploading?

 

[BL!]

It uploads the file but as soon it's going to display in the thread I get a error message from the forum ("There was a problem uploading the file.").

Can you upload a file (if you just test without actually posting it)? There is a limit om 500MB but I'm trying a file which is just 3MB+.

 

[Michael_b]

It uploads the file but as soon it's going to display in the thread I get a error message from the forum ("There was a problem uploading the file.").

Can you upload a file (if you just test without actually posting it)? There is a limit om 500MB but I'm trying a file which is just 3MB+.

I’ve had this issue on iPhone, I run it through preview on Mac and compress it a bit, uploads fine after.

 

[BL!]

Tried another browser now, didn't work. Either there is an issue with my account or everyone has a problem with uploads.

 

[Johnnya101]

This forums uploading tool sucks. Upload the image to imgur, copy the direct link of the image, insert as a url.

 

[BL!]

Thank you for the suggestion of IMGUR.

https://imgur.com/HuOBAy3

 

[LaPorta]

I’ll check Pina for this specifically, I believe I saw the symptom listed. I’ll get back tonight.

 

[BL!]

OK!

I should mention that the graphics issue is there without memory installed or ROM board (or whatever it is sitting next to the memory), so it's an issue with the board itself or some chip I would assume.

 

[LaPorta]

All I could find was a reference to poorly seated RAM, but it stated that the machine would never get past the smiling Mac, which yours obviously does. I would still venture to guess some sort of connectivity issue and/or ROM chip issue. The far greater techs than I could probably chime in here.

 

[BL!]

OK! I've made some progress now.

At least 2 signals did not have contact from the UE8 chip with the next solder joints (probably from a former defective capacitor), this has been fixed now and now I only (still) have 1 line left that doesn't display but at least I can see quite OK now. For now I'm leaving the graphics problem. I know that I need to study the schematics and trace which line is still missing or if it's the chip (UE8) or another chip that is bad.

Seems that the SCSI disk (SONY) is dead. If I feed power to it only it doesn't spin up (and I assume it should even though the SCSI cable is disconnected. I may have 1-2 harddisks laying around so I'm going to check that.

Is it possible to use basically any SCSI disk as long as the form factor is correct and the wide SCSI connector is there?

Also, can somebody direct me to a FTP server or webpage where I can find bootable system disks and with enough tools to scan the SCSI bus and low-level/prepare harddisks for use? I must be able to read those images and create disks on a PC. I hope/assume this is possible to do?

Thanks!

 

[LaPorta]

Seeing as this is an SE/30, as long as your floppy drive is in order it is possible.

theres instructions around the forum...I’m on my phone, though...I can look it up later.

 

[dochilli]

You have a pm!

Your HD drive may be reparable. Perhaps the readingarm is stuck. Open the drive and look what the readingarm does when you start the mac.

 

[Nathanplus]

oh so it does it without the ram ok so it has to be roms or a connection issue

 

[BL!]

oh so it does it without the ram ok so it has to be roms or a connection issue

It was the UE8 chip mainly and missing signals going to the VideoRAM. After finding schematics and chip information I was able to trace which signals were missing and problem (graphics issue) is now 100% resolved. I just wish I could attach pictures of before and after but there have been problems attaching pictures for me (for unknown reason, have PMed some administrators but haven't gotten a reply yet).

Now it's the harddisk that is the problem. It doesn't spin up at all (motor doesn't start).

 

[BL!]

LOL! Picture has been to large all the time but the error message hasn't been very helpful.

Anyhow, here is the intitial screen. Like I've mentioned before it doesn't matter if the RAM and the ROMs are in, the stripes was there all the time until the problem was fixed/repaired (2nd picture).

Happy days!

 

[NE555]

Am I reading this correct? You said you got the Computer to boot without RAM? I didn't know that would work... Actually I'm pretty sure that wouldn't work.
Hmmmm ...