PB 3400c Boots, without Keyboard Function, Anyone here "work" on these?

[amalgamated]

I'm interested in running older software and opening and possibly converting many old files from the 90s etc.

Plus, I think this is a particularly cool Mac, given it was the first one with CD and floppy, zip drive support too.

While I'd like to use it, I'm not the guy that will be seeking to perform the resuscitation work himself.

Is there anyone here that might want to take this on as some kind of paid project?

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

Can't fix it myself I'm afraid, but I'm reasonable confident that I know the problem...

These use NiMH PRAM batteries, and as NiMH batteries do, they leak. The keyboard connectors are right under them, and so is the logic board, so my best guess is that it's leaked all inside the keyboard connectors and toasted them. If it is that bad, it's pretty surprising it still boots as they will corrode the board away as well. It's really easy to check if the battery has leaked. Unscrew the 3 torx screws on the bottom, lift up the keyboard, then unscrew one silver screw attached to the top volume/brightness button bezel, and slide it off. The battery is under that piece on the left, and if you see green corrosion all over everything, you've found the culprit.

There isn't much to be done at that point, unless someone wants to go about soldering on new connectors (and cleaning up the rest of the mess).

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news if that is the problem!

Sent from my Power Mac G5

 

[amalgamated]

Can't fix it myself I'm afraid, but I'm reasonable confident that I know the problem...

These use NiMH PRAM batteries, and as NiMH batteries do, they leak. The keyboard connectors are right under them, and so is the logic board, so my best guess is that it's leaked all inside the keyboard connectors and toasted them. If it is that bad, it's pretty surprising it still boots as they will corrode the board away as well. It's really easy to check if the battery has leaked. Unscrew the 3 torx screws on the bottom, lift up the keyboard, then unscrew one silver screw attached to the top volume/brightness button bezel, and slide it off. The battery is under that piece on the left, and if you see green corrosion all over everything, you've found the culprit.

There isn't much to be done at that point, unless someone wants to go about soldering on new connectors (and cleaning up the rest of the mess).

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news if that is the problem!

Sent from my Power Mac G5

Thank you for taking the time to provide this valuable input. If it's this scenario you described, that would be a huge undertaking even for someone with the skills to try to address, which I am not. About 10 years ago, when I had another 3400c to deal with some old os9 created files, there were a good many working ones on eBay. Appears time has extinguished the population still out there because one sees mostly parted units and parts now only. Grudgingly I may have to give up on my working 3400 fantasy and get a Wallstreet used to deal with the old files. Thank you.

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

Go ahead any check anyway, there are other usable parts in there that will be ruined if the battery is left in there to rot for even longer. Plus, you may get lucky and find that it’s just unplugged or something and that the battery is fine.

The general situation with 3400s absolutely sucks though. I managed to save one, but give another 5 or 10 years and every single one that hasn’t had the battery removed yet will be completely ruined, which really stinks because the 3400 is a great laptop when it works!

 

[amalgamated]

Go ahead any check anyway, there are other usable parts in there that will be ruined if the battery is left in there to rot for even longer. Plus, you may get lucky and find that it’s just unplugged or something and that the battery is fine.

I probably won't open up myself, but I will have a certified Mac tech that does my support and has been working on Macs since this was new, do so soon. I will report back for the heck of it.