What is this?

[CompuNurd]

This is different from the regular LCs I have in the way it has different ROMs, there is a CUDA button, and there is a random soldered on electrolytic capacitor, however that could just be a repair of some sort.

$10 prototype? I knew it was different the minute I opened the case.

http://lowendmac.com/hodges/06/0626.html

 

[Elfen]

That is an LC. Possible one of the many prototypes with the EPROMs. Definitely a Keeper. Does it turn on and boot?

Wait, I think the RAM is missing. You will need to add that to get it working.

 

[CompuNurd]

RAM missing, ROM intact, still boots.

Hard drive is dead, speaker squeals, you get the  :?:  logo. Something keeps clicking every few seconds to startup, probably the drive. I could probably handle a recap, since you say they are somewhat common. If it's something extraordinarily valuable, it's going to uniserver.

The real question: What is the value? If it's like $1k or something ridiculous, it's being sold, if it's 50-200 it's going in the closet. Usually with prototypes you get the FCC warnings, but this looks like a regular LC, even approved by the FCC on the bottom sticker, unless it's a different case.

My Color Classic also has the brownish ceramic ROM chips, and I am used to seeing black ROMs.

Noob moment here, when it comes to prototype/oddball stuff I go  :-/   8-o   :?:

So I am not really sure what I am dealing with here.

 

[Elfen]

The Prototype market is very difficult unless you have papers to support it. Get some clear fingernail polish and carefully cover the serial number on the edge of the board. Washing the board erases that serial number, wish I knew that before I washed my prototype Classic II board because its serial numbers got erased. Still have the EPROMs on the board though.

But a low serial number gives it validation. If not, some can say "It's an LC with EPROMs, Its Worthless!"

Also check the bottom of the case and see if there is a serial number there. Some Macs have them, some don't. If yours does, check if they match the logic board. Either case, I would send the board to Uni, but you can do the PSU recap if you like.

Sounds like the the Hard Drive is toast. Replace it if you can. If you have a System 6.07 on Floppy, check the floppy drive too. The LC can boot System 6 to System 7.5.3. Its a bit slow but it can do it. Give it 8Megs (2 4MB RAM Sticks) and it should give you 10Megs - 2MB it will be blind to. With System 6 - 7.1, you will need Mode32. For System 7.5, it has it's own 32bit addressing.

A Prototype is better to hold on to and then see if somebody wants one, then the price goes up from there. As is if you put it on ebay, you wont get much for it.

 

[CompuNurd]

Get some clear fingernail polish and carefully cover the serial number on the edge of the board. Washing the board erases that serial number, wish I knew that before I washed my prototype Classic II board because its serial numbers got erased. Still have the EPROMs on the board though.

The wash is some ammonia and some acetone diluted in water. The acetone is for removing finger polish isn't it? I would guess the water dilutes it enough to not eat through it?

 

[uniserver]

lol i have seen many many many of these,  its just an early production board.

nothing special… re-cap and carry on.

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

Prototypes will have something to identify them, be it stickers that say "EVT/DVT/PVT" or other indications. The board serial isn't consistent with a prototype one either.

 

[unity]

^ What they said. The only "unique" thing is the EPROMs. But Apple often used EPROMs on early runs. Many video cards have them, later boards not. With mobos its less common, but even the early Color Classics had EPROMs.

I can NOT say for sure since I have not looked enough - but it seems that boards produced with sockets often have early runs with EPROMs that later become burned in chips. But production boards that seem to never have had sockets, like a IIcx, never had EPROMs. Its like the board design is frozen and done, but the ROMs are still being worked on. So they get a start on production by simply producing boards with sockets. Then the ROMs are ready and slapped into what is probably complete units - early ones get EPROMs (probably produced in house by Apple) and later ones get the same ROM file but in a proper package (produced third party). Again, just a guess.

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

Even if it was a prototype...the LC isn't exactly going to command the price that more prominent prototypes (like a TAM, Cube, or anything in clear plastic) would command.

 

[Scott Baret]

LCs boot fine without RAM installed, as they have 2MB on board.

If you're booting with any version of System 7, though, you'll want more RAM. Stick with 6.0.6, 6.0.7, or 6.0.8 if you're stuck at 2MB for now.

 

[SuperToaster]

So no proto...