Hello and SE/30 issues

[duxbridge]

Hi Guys, I'm new to this forum.

I bought a pre-loved SE/30 that had intermittent booting problems, every 2nd boot from cold, it would display a black-and-white chequered-pattern.

After reading up on the issue, I changed the PRAM battery on my SE/30 yesterday, I was holding my breath when I cracked the case open for the first time (as I've read/heard some horror stories!) and luckily there was no damage to the motherboard.

I also noticed that the 68030 processor is a socketed type, I'll post some pictures if anyone is interested.

That's all from my first post, look forward to post more!

 

[phreakout]

duxbridge,

Try here for fixing your problem. Sounds like either corrosion on the metal contacts of the RAM and/or ROM SIMMs or a RAM configuration issue. For the former, use a pencil eraser, small wire brush designed for circuit boards and rubbing alcohol to clean off the corrosion of both the SIMMs and their sockets. Reseat the SIMMs and cross your fingers. For the latter, refer to the above link's table of accepted RAM configurations.

I doubt it could be Simasimac only because I don't see any symptoms that could warrant it, but be prepared for the possibility of it being so. For that would involve replacing the surface mount capacitors C1 through C13 on the top side of the logic board; maybe even replace RP2 (Bourns network filter) and one or both sound chips (UB10 and UB11). But I would focus on the capacitors first before saying any further in that case.

73s de Phreakout. :rambo:

PS: Oh, and remember to check the lithium PRAM battery; it should hold 3.67 volts or better. If not, replace with a new one.

 

[duxbridge]

Thanks phreakout!

There maybe some sinister issues lurking, the sound has never worked, I suspect it does need a recap. Though I don't have the skills to do it myself.

 

[zuiko21]

Definitely needs recapping. However, you may try washing the board first -- it won't heal the dying capacitors, of course, but at least will remove the leakage from them, which in time could actually eat the traces, rendering the board useless

 

[phreakout]

duxbridge,

If I recall, there are some 68kmla members who have the expertise in recapping logic boards. I can do it, but the shipping cost is going to be too expensive for you to send to me here in the US. I'd recommend sending out a private message (PM) to those active members who live in Australia that can help you.

zuiko21 is correct, although I'm not ready to jump on that conclusion yet. Let's first try the simple fixes before going any further. This way, we all can say that it definitely needs recapping. Btw, if you do decide to recap the board, get in touch with 68kmla member 'trag'. He sells complete SE/30 recap kits for $10 US dollars. It includes all the capacitors (C1 through C13).

73s de Phreakout. :rambo:

 

[duxbridge]

Does anybody know if the checkered screen issue is contagious? :?:

I finally cleaned both my SE/30s logic boards with alcohol and carefully used an eraser to clean the contacts on the RAM and ROM modules. Plugged everything back in and found that the checkered pattern problem had transferred from one SE/30 to the other. :?:

Any ideas? Should I go and clean again? Use a different ROM SIM module?

 

[phreakout]

You can try swapping ROM SIMMs and RAM between both machines; it's possible they will work better after re-seating.

73s de Phreakout. :rambo:

 

[duxbridge]

You can try swapping ROM SIMMs and RAM between both machines; it's possible they will work better after re-seating.

I tried this and it worked! Thanks phreakout!

Now I have a pigeon pair of SE/30 to play with!

I'm also trying to get a CF to IDE adapter mounted to a I-O DATA R-IDSC SCSI to IDE adapter working. I know it is possible because someone has already done it (http://synack.net/~bbraun/idecf.html), but I can't mount the drive. :?:

Any tips?

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Welcome to the 68kMLA, duxbridge!

You'll need a formatting utility like Hard Disk Toolkit, Silver Lining or a hacked version of Apple's Disk Tools to format a non-Apple HDD or solid state replacement.

edit: what I said above, which I found detailed on the site you referenced. Follow the links to what is apparently a public licensed AbandonWare formatting utility.