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Powerbook 520 -> 520c Conversion (?)
- Thread starter coius
- Start date
In order: yes, and nuffink but not having a TFT display available. There is no electrical reason not to do so. If you have a spare TFT display (lucky you), replace the FSTN display forthwith, or sooner. Fortunately, Apple had worked out a better way to get the display cable through the clutch compartment by the time of the 500 series, but you will have to exercise care in the disassembly. The flexible PCB that is the display cable coils around the clutch mechanism, so, softly, softly, catchee monkey. And mind that dratted central cover over the microphone. It gives a new dimension to the meaning of 'perishable'.
Then all you will need is a 603e/100MHz, 117Mhz or faster daughter card for total satisfaction (as long as you also have a 32MB RAM expansion card).
de
Then all you will need is a 603e/100MHz, 117Mhz or faster daughter card for total satisfaction (as long as you also have a 32MB RAM expansion card).
de
I actually plan on keeping it stock 68k, but I wonder if I can upgrade the processor with one from a 540. If possible, I would LOVE to turn this into a Powerbook 540, but I don't know if that means that I would have to replace the motherboard.
Also, was there a full '040 for the PowerBook, or is it dang near impossible to find?
I just thought, if I am going to have a 68k powerbook, I want it to remain 68k. That was the whole reason I got it.
I know all about the Surface mount, but that's not an option, I just want a full '40 if possible.
Looking around eBay, It's damn near impossible to find CPU upgrades. All I see is RAM and PSUs for it.
] ]'> ).
motherboards for all 500s are teh same. you can swap around CPU modules as you like.
all screens are also interchangeable (dunno about the 550c but at least all 520, 520c, 540 and 540c)
inverters and display boards are the same for all displays.
you can as well try to overclock your 520s CPU to 33mhz and see how well it runs if you want to save money.
putting all this effort and money into a 520 seems kinda useless to me. why not just getting a 540c?
all screens are also interchangeable (dunno about the 550c but at least all 520, 520c, 540 and 540c)
inverters and display boards are the same for all displays.
you can as well try to overclock your 520s CPU to 33mhz and see how well it runs if you want to save money.
putting all this effort and money into a 520 seems kinda useless to me. why not just getting a 540c?
I got it because it was local, in pristine condition (almost, corrosion on the battery. that's fine) and it was cheap. I got most of the components, and if I get anything else (besides the RAM) i can use it with other powerbooks from now on should I get more. especially the AAUI Adapter so I can hook them up to the internet. The only thing that is keeping me from getting this on the net (in some form or another) is the lack of IRDA port. If I had this, I could just IR it to the PowerBook Lombard that I have and I could access the net that way using the localtalk share or whatever apple has for that. It would have truly been awesome to get on the net through IR 
It also makes it easier.
I also jumped at it because it has an external SCSI Zip drive which I can use not only to transfer files, but I can use it with my friend's IIgs and get it up and make it into a harddrive. The card I have needs active termination with power at the end, and I don't have any drives that did that except CD-ROM drives. And that isn't exactly writeable from a IIgs in real time
It's in near-pristine condition in that NO plastics are broken. It's got it's feet, it's back door. The hinges are in good condition, works great. The only downside is that it has too low of ram, and has no PCMCIA (which I am not going to go for. too wasteful)
The third reason I am putting the money in it is the reason I have wanted another 68k machine since I lost by PowerBook 170 to the great dropage of 2001 and have been wanthing another 68k for a loonnnggg time. I started shopping around for them, and PatNukem pointed it out to me on craigslist.
I got lucky, The person delivered it to me and other people were offering her like $70 for it and I got it for $30 since I was the first claim on it.
I am very happy I got it, and want to do everything with it I can.
Hence the reason why I am putting so much into this
The topic of the thread was too ask a few things about possible upgrades down the road. Doesn't necessarily mean I will do them. I just want to know what's out there
It also makes it easier.
I also jumped at it because it has an external SCSI Zip drive which I can use not only to transfer files, but I can use it with my friend's IIgs and get it up and make it into a harddrive. The card I have needs active termination with power at the end, and I don't have any drives that did that except CD-ROM drives. And that isn't exactly writeable from a IIgs in real time
It's in near-pristine condition in that NO plastics are broken. It's got it's feet, it's back door. The hinges are in good condition, works great. The only downside is that it has too low of ram, and has no PCMCIA (which I am not going to go for. too wasteful)
The third reason I am putting the money in it is the reason I have wanted another 68k machine since I lost by PowerBook 170 to the great dropage of 2001 and have been wanthing another 68k for a loonnnggg time. I started shopping around for them, and PatNukem pointed it out to me on craigslist.
I got lucky, The person delivered it to me and other people were offering her like $70 for it and I got it for $30 since I was the first claim on it.
I am very happy I got it, and want to do everything with it I can.
Hence the reason why I am putting so much into this
The topic of the thread was too ask a few things about possible upgrades down the road. Doesn't necessarily mean I will do them. I just want to know what's out there
Keep your eye on the eBay seller macmetex. He has had 500 series daughter cards on sale for (much) under USD5.00 for some time. The 33MHz are not on show at the moment, but it will take but a quick email to him to find out how well the 500 tree is fruiting this (Northern Hemisphere) Spring.
de
