Recreating Macintosh Portable Hybrid Module

[Androda]

The listing is now public: https://androda.work/product/macintosh-portable-hybrid-module-recreation/

Despite the listing being open, I don't suggest that anyone should rush and buy one. First, run through the pre-check steps mentioned before to see if your portable has any motherboard damage which could get in the way of normal hybrid functionality.

 

[Sideburn]

Any insight on who is behind the “New Hybrid Replacement for Macintosh Portable with Headers Rev 1.4” on eBay sold by “supersvga”? I wasn’t familiar with this one when I did my repair and ended up using the one on eBay. Seems to be working ok… I hope.. but doesn’t not look like a reverse engineered version from the original design.

I am in the process of another portable board repair and will very likely need another hybrid board. I suppose I should give yours a shot this round.

 

[Androda]

Pretty sure that eBay listing is from @SuperSVGA

 

[blackdogvintagecomputers]

@Androda I recently acquired a Mac Portable, non-backlight. I don’t know much about troubleshooting the portable or its common issues. Mine does not seem to do anything but has not been recapped yet. I see one Axial cap that seems to have leaked. The board looks clean otherwise. About to recap but wondering if the hybrid board could be the dead issue. Is there a good reference for common issues on the portable? Trying to understand what is likely the issue. Will the recap possibly resolve the dead board? It is likely Another cause? Noticed you are sold out on the hybrid module. Will it be back in stock?

 

[Androda]

About to recap but wondering if the hybrid board could be the dead issue

Generally speaking, you always want to replace the SMD and through-hole capacitors on a Portable motherboard. They are one of the largest sources of trouble because they basically always leak. So that's priority #1.

The non-backlit doesn't like to turn on from just the power adapter - it's 1.5 amps at 7.5 volts and acts as a battery charger. The system really runs from the battery, not the power adapter. If you have the original lead acid battery installed, remove it. That battery is dead. Very dead. Don't try to run the non-backlit Portable from just the power adapter either. It needs a working battery to be happy.

Speaking of the power adapter, are you using the original Apple Portable adapter? It will need capacitors replaced, they leak a lot and it causes a lot of damage to the PCB.

The hybrid replacement will be back in stock eventually, yes. It takes awhile to make a pile of these, because the modules are individually tested.

 

[blackdogvintagecomputers]

Thx for all that info. Really appreciate the knowledge you and others share.

True, my lead acid battery’s are dead.

I have the main board removed and sitting on my bench. I connected 6.5v power to the board and tried to get it to power on my touching pins on the IO connector. It would not start for me. I wondered if bad caps could cause it to not do anything. I’ll recap and try again soon. How do I know if the hybrid board is my problem?

 

[Sideburn]

You can get a new lead acid battery on amazon. I have a replica of the original battery case if you have a 3d printer and want to make one.

 

[blackdogvintagecomputers]

Thx @Sideburn . I’ve seen the remade batteries. I used a lithium ion 6.5 volt battery to test with. I also have a bench power supply but did not use this time. I will probably pickup a battery once I get the board running. I think I was successful at powering the board. It just didn’t want to boot so I think issue was not power.