Mac IIfx

[ironborn65]

Hi mates,

this is a good period ... I got a Mac IIfx, not bombed with no caps leakages.
It's in its way, so I have only pictures at the moment.
I see there is a:
- Apple 820-0400-06 630-0400 Macintosh Display Card with expansion SIMMs
- Nubus rev 3 Network card with RJ45, no precise identification

I know there are missing capacitors, but for me it's a good news, someone did not continue the restoration.
Let's see ...

 

[joshc]

I don't think there's missing capacitors - the IIfx has solder pads for both tantalum and electrolytic capacitors, so it's two sets of pads for each capacitor on the board. Looks like your board has tantalums already. Sometimes there are 2 leaky electrolytics in the start up circuit (top right of the board, near the RAM slots) which need replacing.

 

[ironborn65]

yup, thanks, you'r right
https://recapamac.com.au/macintosh-iifx/

 

[joshc]

No, not the yellow axials - those do not need to be replaced usually. Just the small aluminium electrolytic can-style ones, these:

 

[ironborn65]

it's already a tantalum in mine


so, once cleaned it might work out of the box ... assuming the PSU is fine (unlikely)

 

[joshc]

PSU is usually OK in these actually, never had a bad II/IIx/IIfx PSU yet. Fresh batteries and it may just work.

 

[olePigeon]

I recommend replacing the C1 capacitor with a 25v or higher rated capacitor. You risk blowing a little crater there when turning it on.

 

[CC_333]

PSU is usually OK in these actually, never had a bad II/IIx/IIfx PSU yet. Fresh batteries and it may just work.

That's a rare feat for Macs this old nowadays!

They are requiring so much effort just to power on anymore, that I'm feeling like simply using them has become somewhat less enjoyable than it used to be.

c

 

[joshc]

That's a rare feat for Macs this old nowadays!

They are requiring so much effort just to power on anymore, that I'm feeling like simply using them has become somewhat less enjoyable than it used to be.

c

I dunno, I'd say my IIfx machines have been among the most reliable in my collection. Never had to do any PSU work with them, and only very basic logicboard repairs. SE/30s and Classics on the other hand, a bit of a nightmare to keep going and the Colour Classic, even more of a pain.

 

[ironborn65]

I got it home, amazing machine!
No electrolytic caps, PSU is fine ... "boong", happy chime
EU 165 with NIC card + Apple video card + keyboard, the case is yellowish but without damage, it comes from a law firm office
oh + FDD + 5.25 HD, these are still to be tested but first a thorough cleaning!
I'll evaluate the @olePigeon suggestion about C1 replacement before turning it on again

 

[joshc]

Nice one! That is a lovely clean looking example.

 

[ironborn65]

I will add a spare SE/30 32bit clean ROM I have

 

[Phipli]

I got it home, amazing machine!
No electrolytic caps, PSU is fine ... "boong", happy chime
EU 165 with NIC card + Apple video card + keyboard, the case is yellowish but without damage, it comes from a law firm office
oh + FDD + 5.25 HD, these are still to be tested but first a thorough cleaning!
I'll evaluate the @olePigeon suggestion about C1 replacement before turning it on again

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If you drop two 256k VRAM SIMMs in that video card, it will do 24bit colour at 640x480. It is unaccelerated, but good enough for most things.

I will add a spare SE/30 32bit clean ROM I have

The stock IIfx ROM is already 32bit clean?

 

[joshc]

The stock IIfx ROM is already 32bit clean?

This. The IIfx is a no-nosense, grown up's machine with a clean ROM. No monkey business here.

 

[ironborn65]

got it! , tks you all
VRAM: no 512k supported?
VRAM speed: 70ns or 80ns?

 

[Phipli]

VRAM: no 512k supported?
VRAM speed: 70ns or 80ns?

512k SIMMs will function, but only as 256k SIMMs.

100ns or faster off the top of my head.

Edit :

 

[Kevinlenane]

I recommend replacing the C1 capacitor with a 25v or higher rated capacitor. You risk blowing a little crater there when turning it on.

I just did this - comp still booted but with a nice solar flare.