PowerBook 5300c and 165 for $30!

[TheMacGuy]

Wow. I picked up 2 new laptops for my collection today. I had to drive about 10 miles out of my way to get them, but I think its worth it. I still have to go thru all the cables and things that came with them, but for right now, I have a PowerBook 5300c (compliments my 5300cs) and a PowerBook 165 (B&W not color). Both are in amazing shape, but there is one problem, the 5300c doesn't boot. If I plug in the power cable, you can hear the speaker make a "pop" noise like its getting power (like my 5300cs) but I never heard a hard drive spin up or the screen come on. The 165 though, works very well! The hinges are in great same on both. 165 is running System 7.5.3 Update 2, and runs like a champ! Will post pictures later. Any ideas on the 5300c?

 

[bibilit]

Any ideas on the 5300c?

Yes, some, mine doesn't boot if i don't use the reset switch on the back.

Also, 5300 are known for PSU connector failures, maybe yours is gone.

 

[TheMacGuy]

The thing is, when I connect the power cable, I hear the speaker "pop" and sometimes I can hear a "buzzzz" from inside the computer. I tried pressing the reset button, nothing. I followed Apple's guide on how to reset the SMC, nothing. Well, either 1 of 2 things will become of this computer. 1, I get it running and have a great condition PowerBook 5300c. Or 2, I use the 5300c as a donor for my 5300cs and maybe swap most of the plastics.

 

[bibilit]

Well, the LCD is far better i have been told (mine is the CS one) so you can swap this anyway.

Maybe removing the HD and additional memory...trying to boot from a minimum setup will make it works.

 

[TheMacGuy]

trying to boot from a minimum setup will make it works.

Boot with no HDD? It should just boot up to the blinking floppy, correct?

 

[bibilit]

Yes, correct.

The 5300 will at least confirm nothing is wrong with the logic board.(you can always boot from a floppy if required)

You can also remove the battery if still there (mine leaked all over the place)

The hinges are in great same on both.

Good news here, as the 5300 is known for early failure too.

 

[TheMacGuy]

Yes, correct.

That answers that question. I'll be right back. I'm going to go test it.

 

[TheMacGuy]

Pictures:

 

[bibilit]

The buzzing part is the charging board, your battery is better looking than mine was !! but gone anyway.

Did you try a boot ?

 

[Byrd]

One common failing on the 5300 machines is a weak power jack - it's too small and snaps/breaks off the motherboard within time. Jiggle this around/hold the charging pin firmly in position and see if you get more life that way. Pretty much all "junked" 5300 machines I've come across have had broken power jacks, a popular mod in the past was to remove it and put a Powerbook Duo power connector in it's place.

The 5300 isn't too bad a machine, the active matrix TFT is much nicer compared to the display on a PB 540c (it's predescessor), and you can overclock it to 117Mhz (move a few resistors) happily.

JB

 

[TheMacGuy]

Did you try a boot ?

Yep, just sat there doing nothing. Even tried the reset button, nada.

The previous (and original) owners really took care of these machine! Plastics are in crazy good condidtion. All parts look to be original (including the 165's extra battery case!). Both machines have their port door intact! Very good condition!!

 

[TheMacGuy]

One common failing on the 5300 machines is a weak power jack - it's too small and snaps/breaks off the motherboard within time. Jiggle this around/hold the charging pin firmly in position and see if you get more life that way.

I'll try that tomorrow. Feeling a little under the weather doesn't exactly help either. I'm hoping it's nothing to serious, but this computer is in amazing condition, better then my 5300cs and the c has a better display. I'm also still trying to get that darn Cube to work.