Search results

  1. David Cook

    BlueSCSI on Macintosh Portable

    The Macintosh OS was novel in that it allowed files to consist of two "channels". The first channel is called the "data fork" and is just like every other operating system. The second channel is the "resource fork" and stores icons and alert boxes and other cool Mac-like pieces. Unfortunately...
  2. David Cook

    Portable Misc - Hinge clip fix, Earlier features, Super Static memory

    When I asked if you had a primary source, I didn't expect you'd whip out Jean-Louis Gassée. :ROFLMAO:
  3. David Cook

    Portable Misc - Hinge clip fix, Earlier features, Super Static memory

    I use this: https://amzn.to/4vcD03m It seems genuinely strong. I know the true test is whether the part breaks at the bond site or on a new break at some other location on the original plastic. But, obviously we don't want to perform that test. : ) I wasn't sure that this really was...
  4. David Cook

    Macintosh LC III Bodge-Laden PCB

    Nice job. C22 is reversed. That is, although you installed it in the way Apple marked it, Apple made a mistake. You need to flip it the other direction. See https://recapamac.com.au/macintosh-lciii/
  5. David Cook

    Portable Misc - Hinge clip fix, Earlier features, Super Static memory

    Broken Corners I've seen enough broken cases that I lean toward being pragmatic rather than attempting a pristine repair. A common fracture is on the middle sides where the screen's hinge clips are secured. I usually can recover the broken pieces during disassembly. In this case, a broken-off...
  6. David Cook

    Macintosh LC III Bodge-Laden PCB

    Correct. Those are factory.
  7. David Cook

    I broke and fixed Macintosh Portable (backlight). Attached backlight circuit schematic that I reverse engineered

    Looking at the Portable driver code, I believe O1 of U13G is also connected to display J19. It appears this is the backlight enable pin.
  8. David Cook

    I broke and fixed Macintosh Portable (backlight). Attached backlight circuit schematic that I reverse engineered

    Here are the IDs (see U13H): Backlit portable: $A5 10100101 Upgraded original portable: $A3 10100011 PowerBook 100: $AD 10101101
  9. David Cook

    I broke and fixed Macintosh Portable (backlight). Attached backlight circuit schematic that I reverse engineered

    They're outputs, so they could just be floating. Thanks for letting me know. If I get a chance, I'll also take a look. It wouldn't surprise me if they were unused. But, they might be used on the PowerBook 100.
  10. David Cook

    I broke and fixed Macintosh Portable (backlight). Attached backlight circuit schematic that I reverse engineered

    I had no idea that the "backlight id" and "backlight brightness register" were implemented in such a rudimentary manner. There are 5 unused bits in the brightness register that could be hooked up to other circuits. If someone comes up with a replacement screen at some point, it would now be...
  11. David Cook

    I broke and fixed Macintosh Portable (backlight). Attached backlight circuit schematic that I reverse engineered

    Incredible write up! It explains so much. Based on your schematic, the digital potentiometer chip (U14G) is actually being used as a variable resistor (two terminal). So, rather than supplying a voltage that sets the brightness, it is changing resistance and the screen's circuitry is converting...
  12. David Cook

    Portable CCFL Backlight Replacement with Off-the-shelf LED Strip Driver

    Not certain. But, I agree with you that noise can be a showstopper. For example, all of my recent PCs have beQuiet cases and fans.
  13. David Cook

    Portable CCFL Backlight Replacement with Off-the-shelf LED Strip Driver

    I just tried it. I drowned the coil in superglue and let it sit for an hour. It is dry to the touch. Unfortunately, the coil whine is still noticeable. I unplugged the speaker and confirmed that it is definitely the step-up coil making the sound. It was worth a try.
  14. David Cook

    Portable CCFL Backlight Replacement with Off-the-shelf LED Strip Driver

    One more thing... Here is JDW's video on how the Portable screen casing comes off / goes together. About 15 minutes 50 seconds into the video.
  15. David Cook

    Portable CCFL Backlight Replacement with Off-the-shelf LED Strip Driver

    Some updates: 1. To see what I mean about the screen being nicely bright even with the slider quite low, look at the final picture of my original posting. That's probably around 50 mA. 2. I took a thermal image of the circuitry at full brightness. The hottest part is SS34 diode on the step-up...
  16. David Cook

    Portable CCFL Backlight Replacement with Off-the-shelf LED Strip Driver

    I just tested the current usage. I disconnected one of the wires going to the LED strip itself and inserted my multimeter in amp mode. Here are the measurements at various levels of the control panel slider: 100%: 440-390mA dropping slowly. Far too bright. 85%: 220mA stable. Too bright. 50%...
  17. David Cook

    Portable CCFL Backlight Replacement with Off-the-shelf LED Strip Driver

    Correct. For the first item, I've ordered a couple of other small step-up converters to test. There is one other possible negative, which is I need to see if I can get it to damage the LEDs at the maximum brightness. Because the circuit is advertised for screens as small as 7" tall, perhaps it...
  18. David Cook

    Portable CCFL Backlight Replacement with Off-the-shelf LED Strip Driver

    I bought a backlit Macintosh Portable (M5126) that needed a recap and minor cleanup. Upon powering up, everything initially worked. However, within 30 seconds I could smell burning and quickly switched it off. I removed as many accessories (cards, hard drive, floppy etc) and tried again...
  19. David Cook

    Mac II Video glitch

    If you post a copy of your drive image (whatever is the smallest that exhibits the symptoms), I'll try it on my Toby card and Mac II.
  20. David Cook

    Mac II Video glitch

    I'm not giving up on this. I swear I've seen it before. Based on Apple's ROM code, highlighting was really tricky and there were a lot of patches for it. Patches were stored in the System based on the ROM 'family" (128/512, Plus, II/IIx, IIfx/IIci/IIsi). To save space, when the System was...