SE/30 parts of screen becoming black. Out of memory symptoms?

[lma114]

A silly question perhaps, but what are the symptoms for an SE/30 running out of its memory?

I have an SE/30 with 4MB RAM and virtual memory is turned on. I would expect that the machine will become slow when memory is full. However, are there other typical signs?

For example, when playing some games, I noticed that in two cases the screen suddenly went black, but in the one game when moving the mouse that would become visible and move, while in the other game moving animations would still show. In both cases quiting the game with Cmd+Q also worked and updated the full screen again. Could this be signs of out of memory? Or perhaps of some other potential issue?

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

Seems more like a logic issue - VRAM, Video muxes, etc. Check for corrosion around UE8 and other chips in that area.

 

[lma114]

There is some green oxidation(?) at some of the pins that run from the chips into the board. Is that the corrosion you are thinking of?

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

Send some photos of the areas in question - and that is indeed corrosion from leaking capacitors. Have you recapped it yet? If not, that’s your issue 100%, or at least the root cause of it. It has to be done.

 

[lma114]

Photo attached is of the whole board. Can take some close-ups next time I open it up again, but you can see it a little bit in here too.

Would cleaning with isopropylalcohol remove this kind of corrosion?

Not recapped yet, but would like to get that done. Any recommendations for that in/near Norway?

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

I’d stop using it until the capacitors have been replaced, having power flowing through the board with the leakage will accelerate the corrosion.

 

[Byrd]

You're lucky that your SE/30 is working as well as it sounds - unfortunately your board has significant cap leakage and corrosion around several components, the longer you leave it unrestored will increase the risk of more repairs.

 

[lma114]

Thanks for the review and advice.

Yes, recapping is my intention but so far I’m not sure who to ask for that. I found some websites in Ireland and Switzerland, but no idea of the quality of the service. Recommendations are welcome.

Also, will IPA remove the corrosion?

 

[Fred1212]

IPA will clean the board but as has been said you need a recap. You could try to do it yourself, not too difficult if you are a compatant solderer. Lots of resources on youtube to help you.

 

[lma114]

Thanks! I am a bit hesitant about recapping a board myself. I have watched a few videos and the steps seem straightforward, but execution may be more tricky. I have soldered before (a long time ago), but I'd definitely need to practice on some other no-longer-used electronics first. Cleaning I can start with already.

 

[CircuitBored]

I'm based in the UK but I would be willing to do the soldering work and board repair for a reasonable price. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.