Rehabbing a tortured pismo

[torus_aei]

Howdy everyone, longtime listener; first time caller.

Curious to see if anyone has run across a similar issue before in the wild. Just got this pismo 400, and it seems somebody either overtightened or used the wrong screws after a past teardown. The machine powers up but shuts off when moved or picked up. I didn't notice this at first and suspected a faulty power cable connection, but after discovering the protruding screws I think it's safe to assume that it's shorting out somewhere inside. I'm not sure how I'm going to fix this, but I am playing with the idea of also replacing the outer lid and bottom case as a restoration project and maybe even make a video or writeup about the process for marchintosh.

 

[Byrd]

Yeah that's not factory . Take it apart and see, someone has done it and it probably worked like this for years, it might be a faulty DC jack that makes it switch off when moved, over this butchery.

 

[AlpineRaven]

I'd open up and see whats going on..

I have noticed poor connection on DC_DC board causing sudden power off - so you would need to open up anyway
Cheers

 

[CC_333]

I'd open up and see whats going on..

I have noticed poor connection on DC_DC board causing sudden power off - so you would need to open up anyway
Cheers

Agreed.

Another symptom of a faulty DC board connection is a lack of sound (both the internal speaker header and headphone out/line/mic in jacks are on that board).

c

 

[torus_aei]

Thanks for all the input! After closer inspection, I think you guys are on to something here. It's looking less like it's shorting out due to the screws protruding through the case and more likely that it's just a weak connection/the DC board needs re-seated. I've just taken delivery of some thermal paste and an IDE -> mSATA converter + 128gb SSD. I'm in process of doing a full teardown + ssd installation video for #MARCHintosh. Stay tuned!

 

[MacUp72]

I‘d disassemble the pismo and inspect the board for any physical damage

 

[torus_aei]

So, that was pretty anticlimactic!

As it turns out, y'all were right. The damn DC-DC board was loose and just needed to be re-seated... Totally unrelated to the screws protruding out the bottom. This didn't require tearing down the whole machine though, which I was hoping to make a whole video about. I don't really see the value in making yet another hard drive swap video as there are several on that topic floating around on YT, and I don't particularly feel like being berated over thermal paste application technique, LOL! I did have a fun little photoshoot with it when it was all put back together and up & running. Pentax K-3 III with Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 if there are any photogs in

Thanks again for all the help and inspo to do moar mac stuff!! I'm finding myself doing stupid things like buying an Apple Extended Keyboard II and a drakware adapter to use it with my modern daily driver mac, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[AlpineRaven]

Knew it was something like that! Well done, nicely presented photos!
Cheers

 

[herd]

I was imagining a far worse scenario when I clicked on this thread. That looks like a nice machine!

I picked up a smashed pismo that was very crudely scrapped/recycled. I was able to repair the boards though, so now it can boot with an external screen, USB keyboard/mouse, firewire drive, and a bench power supply. It looks like a laptop on life support with wires hanging out. I use it to test CPU upgrades.

 

[MacUp72]

nice Pismo..
and nice photos, the Pentax is a good cam

 

[torus_aei]

I was imagining a far worse scenario when I clicked on this thread. That looks like a nice machine!

I picked up a smashed pismo that was very crudely scrapped/recycled. I was able to repair the boards though, so now it can boot with an external screen, USB keyboard/mouse, firewire drive, and a bench power supply. It looks like a laptop on life support with wires hanging out. I use it to test CPU upgrades.

oh man, that must look horrifying... sounds delightful
who doesn't love a good frankenbook? i *almost* picked one up on ebay with a broken top case where the styrofoam insert was exposed, but ended up passing on that one.
i see there's a parts dealer in the UK (1-bit rainbow) that has some b-grade top and bottom cases for the pismo, maybe for next year's projects i'll do a cosmetic facelift and get it looking super nice. i'm ok with the small dings and scratches for now, but those screw nubbins on the bottom are really bothersome. hmmm.......