Problem with IIci and NuBus cards (Solved!)

[pfuentes69]

Hello,
testing an Ethernet Card that works on my IIsi and not in my IIci, it seems that I could have a problem with the NuBus slots.
I found this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageApple/comments/iorzl0
The Cap next to this IC did leak and it was replaced, but I didn't see until now evident damages in this chip.

Did you have similar experiences?

 

[Branchus]

You say it doesn't work on your IIci, can you please elaborate on that? There are so many different factors that could result in the card not working, and a lot of them are software based.

For example, does it have link lights? If so, do they light up when you connect it to your network? what sort of card is it?

 

[pfuentes69]

You say it doesn't work on your IIci, can you please elaborate on that? There are so many different factors that could result in the card not working, and a lot of them are software based.

For example, does it have link lights? If so, do they light up when you connect it to your network? what sort of card is it?

The card lights the link led, but is not detected by the System, so initially I thought it would be a software issue. I tried to install some drivers ("Apple Network Installer" is the only thing I could find) and I got no result.

Then I tried the same card in a IIsi, using the same BlueSCSI and SD Card, and it worked at first attempt. As the System and config is exactly the same, I'm thinking now in an issue with the NuBus ports in the IIci... That Reddit post was giving the hint... The IC that acts as bus driver (74ALS240) seems to be just a bit corroded by the nearby Cap that was replaced, but maybe is worse that it seems...

Edit: this post was placed after I started this other: https://tinkerdifferent.com/threads/drivers-for-apple-ethernet-nubus-card-820-0417-c.316/

 

[pfuentes69]

I got today another NuBus Card (the Macintosh Display Card 8•24) and I also get it working in the IIsi but not in the Iici, so definitely there's an issue.
I ordered the 74ALS240 and let's see if it solves the issue...

 

[Bolkonskij]

Now that's a very interesting topic. I've experienced the same issue with my IIci. I got a card from @fogWraith and no matter what I tried, I couldn't get it to work. Tried the official drivers, tried Glenn Anderson's drivers, various Open Transport versions, different slots etc. etc.

I came to the conclusion that the Nubus ports on my (recapped) IIci board were either dead or the card was bad. I couldn't confirm neither, so I eventually gave up. It's interesting you're experiencing the same issue.

 

[pfuentes69]

Now that's a very interesting topic. I've experienced the same issue with my IIci. I got a card from @fogWraith and no matter what I tried, I couldn't get it to work. Tried the official drivers, tried Glenn Anderson's drivers, various Open Transport versions, different slots etc. etc.

I came to the conclusion that the Nubus ports on my (recapped) IIci board were either dead or the card was bad. I couldn't confirm neither, so I eventually gave up. It's interesting you're experiencing the same issue.

I think my chips will arrive this week, so I'll post here the result.

 

[pfuentes69]

So I got the ICs and I could work on this again.
Visually the chip didn't look too bad:

But when clipping the legs (I don't know how to use properly the heat gun, so I didn't want to risk removing a pad or something) I could see that were quite corroded, and when cleaning the pads I got a pretty nasty goo.

The replacement came from Aliexpress, as I could only find other options from the US and shipping was too expensive. I was a bit scared about getting something bad.

But everything works now. The Ethernet card was detected immediately, and the Macintosh Display Card 8•24 works wonderfully. So now I have network and millions of colours!

So, @Bolkonksij, this is worth of trying. The chips I got are these.

 

[Branchus]

But everything works now. The Ethernet card was detected immediately, and the Macintosh Display Card 8•24 works wonderfully. So now I have network and millions of colours!

Congratulations, great work!

 

[ScutBoy]

Always nice when things finally come together!

 

[Volvo242GT]

Been dealing with the same issue on my IIci... Alas, replacing the chip doesn't seem to have done anything to solve it. Said machine has been recapped twice. Once by a previous owner, and just recently by a friend of mine who's diagnosing the issue on it and another friend's IIci.

 

[AlexCL]

I have the same issue on my IIci...recapped it (hack job) and it still works fine but the NuBus Network Card is still not seen by TattleTech or Snooper 2.0...I've tried 2 different cards in it.