LCD Replacement for the Macintosh Portable

Froggy814

Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
126
30
28
Squaw Valley, CA
Finally was able to export my code today! Hopefully it works. Unfortunantly I followed a schematic blindly and need to figure out how to supply 3v to the rp2350... The part I got isn't outputting anything! Hopefully I can just replace it with another of his 10 buddy's and see if it works then.
 

wottle

Active Tinkerer
Oct 30, 2021
920
660
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Fort Mill, SC
I have bummer news. I don't think a plug and play is possible for the Porrtable's LCD port. Because Androda moves the old connector over... As stated in the description here:https://androda.work/product/macintosh-backlit-portable-m5126-screen-flex-cable/

So I have to find a new route, sooooo, Building a card time! After measuring leads with my oscilloscope that I just bought. (Really excited about that!)
Ah, that's correct. I had to send in my old cut cable for him to re-use the connector. Would it be possible to remove the board connector and try to solder on a modern connector. Would likely require bodge wires and maybe some drilling.

Or, maybe for a less destructive option you could solder wires to the rear video port connector. I have the external adapter Androda made so there is a video signal being sent out on that port that could be used. His adapter uses a raspberry pi, not sure how different it is from your device in terms of processing the signal.
 
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Froggy814

Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
126
30
28
Squaw Valley, CA
It's about the same device, but I found an another approach to take at the plug and not mangle anything. Not gonna share it until it shows up. I don't want it to be a whole mess of soldering and drilling or anything, more of a almost drop-in procedure!
 
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Froggy814

Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
126
30
28
Squaw Valley, CA
I plugged my RP2350 board into my computer, I am supplying external 3v3 power because what I put on didn't work. (Don't follow instructions blindly. Double check.) I but when I turn on the power, nothing happens. Zip, NADA, Zilch. No power pulled, not showing up on my laptop, even in device manager. No file explorer popping up when I hold the bootselect and then turn it on. I double checked the schematic, and that power is getting to where it needs to. I am even getting 1V out of the generator. I don't know what is wrong, if you can give me any pointers that would be appreciated.


P.S. It could be that the RP2350 is dead. I applyed some serious heat when I first put it on the board, but would it still generate 1V if it was dead? And how is it generating Voltage without drawing any amps, so confused 😵
 

Froggy814

Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
126
30
28
Squaw Valley, CA
1786563178068.png


Not finished but, an update non the less. I think this is all that is "needed"! I don't need the LEDS but they will be the power indicators.

My old plan didn't work, but this one will! Right?

P.S. I am much more active on 68kMLA...
 

Froggy814

Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
126
30
28
Squaw Valley, CA
1786578200222.png

I think finished routing most of the Traces, decided to add an expansion header as well, maybe for DEBUG purposes? It just connects to 4 of the GPIOS one of the Level shifted pins and 5v 3V3 and GND, should I add or change any of those? Also what do you think?
 

techknight

Moderator
Staff member
Dec 2, 2021
130
131
43
North Carolina
I plugged my RP2350 board into my computer, I am supplying external 3v3 power because what I put on didn't work. (Don't follow instructions blindly. Double check.) I but when I turn on the power, nothing happens. Zip, NADA, Zilch. No power pulled, not showing up on my laptop, even in device manager. No file explorer popping up when I hold the bootselect and then turn it on. I double checked the schematic, and that power is getting to where it needs to. I am even getting 1V out of the generator. I don't know what is wrong, if you can give me any pointers that would be appreciated.


P.S. It could be that the RP2350 is dead. I applyed some serious heat when I first put it on the board, but would it still generate 1V if it was dead? And how is it generating Voltage without drawing any amps, so confused 😵

No, when you lay out an RP2350 or likewise design, you have to follow the layout guidelines exactly to a T, or your DC converter doesn't work/wont run. I saw discussion in a different discord where someone was struggling with this.
 
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Froggy814

Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
126
30
28
Squaw Valley, CA
No, when you lay out an RP2350 or likewise design, you have to follow the layout guidelines exactly to a T, or your DC converter doesn't work/wont run. I saw discussion in a different discord where someone was struggling with this.
You are soooo right... This is now something I will let the experts do, instead of soldering the pi together and designing that myself. Thanks for the info BTW