Mac SE/30 analog recap, Black screen, vertical white line SOLVED

caver01

Tinkerer
Oct 30, 2021
93
64
18
I am restoring an SE/30 and had a booting logic board and functional display. Work to date includes logic board recap and cleanup, replaced UE8 chip, removed and cleaned and resoldered ASC chip, troubleshooting SCSI—everything with overall successful outcomes. However, I came to the conclusion that I needed to finally recap the analog board and PSU, so that is what I did.

The process was straightforward, but as the title indicates, the first boot is showing me a black screen with white line:
06167145-73A6-4BFE-AD97-03BC0AEEA36B.jpeg

When I turn on the computer, I get the chime, and although no drive is attached at the moment, with blueSCSI connected internally, it starts up fine using term power, and 5 flashes (no SD card inserted at the moment). I am confident that PSU recap is fine (unless someone reads this and says otherwise) and I have tested it with a multi-meter. Showing 5.29v (tuned to that) and just over 12v, so feeling good about the PSU.

The Scrolls suggest this problem is a failing horizontal scan circuit which makes sense. I definitely don’t hear the high frequency from the CRT the way it used to work pre-anaolog-recap. Possible solutions point to an issue with R19 resistor, desoldering L3 linearity coil and using fresh solder there, or a problem with C15.

I removed and tested R19 and it checks out. Not burned. I think it is a 220 ohm resistor. Anyway, it meters fine with correct resistance. I desoldered L3 and resoldered. Finally, checked C15–this is the non-polar film cap that replaced an axial original that was installed on its end. Since everything was working before the recap, I tried putting the old C15 back into position. No change. It still does this same thing. I double-checked all of my other capacitor replacements to make sure they are not soldered backwards etc., and everything looks OK to me.

Now I am open to suggestions. I have just taken a working mac and turned it into this in an attempt to do preventive recapping maintenance. I am not beyond thinking there is a bad solder joint, or a short somewhere, but I have gone over everything and do not see it. I am hoping there is a something I can test with my cheap meter, or a part I can swap back to original to do tests. Thoughts? We can do this! Right?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Powerbook97

caver01

Tinkerer
Oct 30, 2021
93
64
18
For those who have been reading along, I solved the issue. I did a little reading of past forum posts related to the L2 inductor. I visually inspected the solder joints on L2 and they look clean and solid, but I desoldered it anyway and noticed some orange corrosion under it at one of the wired solder joints. After a cleanup up and completely removing old solder, I resoldered L2. I also removed R19 again, as it has some specks of green on it, even though it meters at 220 ohms. I decided to replace it.

After these steps, I now have a full picture.
 

joethezombie

Tinkerer
Oct 30, 2021
32
29
18
Idaho
Excellent! Awesome job in troubleshooting. I recently had a similar issue with a IIsi power supply. After a recap, it still wouldn't turn on. Turned out to be capacitor goo had spread under one of the coils. After lifting and cleaning, it sprung back to life. Shows the importance of a proper cleanup, even under parts which wouldn't normally be suspect.
 

caver01

Tinkerer
Oct 30, 2021
93
64
18
Thanks! This was a long haul process that took me over a year. That time included about 9 months of “thinking” time after hitting a frustrating wall with the video issues. I mean, I was actually pretty HAPPY when I got it to the simasimac stage a few weeks ago. At least I was in the realm known issues at that point. This latest round with the analog board and PSU was my own doing, but I think the rewards are pretty high. The picture is rock solid now, SCSI issues seem to have disappeared, and the mac is basically silent, aside from the Noctua fan I put in. I actually thought the CRT was not working correctly because I could not hear it humming like before. Who knew that analog/PSU caps would have such a dramatic affect. You hear more about recapping the logic board given the destructive effects of electrolyte, but the analog side is underrated.

I have come to appreciate that a lot can go wrong with an old mac that seems dead, but at the same time a lot is actually fixable if you know what to try. Communities like this one are a valuable resource.

Today, I drove about an hour and a half to pickup three SE systems. I guess I am getting ready for the next round! The seller threw in three SE logic boards, a Mac Plus, a Mac Classic in some stage of repair, a few keyboards, 25 HDDs etc etc. so. . . It is like I have been indoctrinated into the hobby and now have a generous inventory!
 

tomswork

New Tinkerer
Oct 25, 2021
9
4
3
Well i have this problem to will go thru the steps above and update everyone later tom
 

Attachments

  • 20221021_231345.jpg
    20221021_231345.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 133
  • Like
Reactions: caver01