Taming the ROM in my SE/30!

[retr01]

I inspected the GGLabs MacSIMM and found that the bottom edge was rough, whereas the stock ROM SIMM bottom edge was smooth. I realized how the PCB was designed and printed and that the breakaway still left the ragged edge. Maybe it was a cost-saving over the recessed breakaway.

I suspect it affected the ROM SIMM's firm seating for the SE/30, as the jagged edge probably did not allow for an even and smooth seating for proper connection in the 64-pin ROM SIMM socket. I imagined in my head in 3D terms exactly how it looked inside the socket's groove after the SIMM was inserted and locked in place.

Next, urgent care!

 

[Drake]

Unfortunately, when I powered on my SE/30, I was greeted with this screen of checkered patterning. I swapped back to the stock ROM SIMM, which booted without issues. I reseated the GGLabs MacSIMM, and the same checkered patterning appeared.

View attachment 8328​

unfortunately the slots pins have grown accustom to your original, did you try wedging something or adding an elastic band to give some pull toward contact?

all else fails just solder the pads front and back and MAKE those pins touch

 

[retr01]

I filed the bottom edge of the GGLabs MacSIMM. Then, I used compressed air can blow away the fine dust from the filing. Finally, I cleaned the bottom edge with 91% IPA. Darn it, that didn't do the trick.

 

[retr01]

Now, my SE/30 is back to the stock ROM SIMM and doesn't seem to work right with 128 MB of RAM, even with Mode32 and 32-bit addressing enabled.

I will try @Drake's suggestion of adding solder to the SIMM contacts after I print the famous potato spud clips by @PotatoFi, and if that doesn't work.

 

[retr01]

Well, I learned something new. SE/30 logic boards and the ROM SIMM sockets on those boards can warp over time:

Source:

https://tinkerdifferent.com/threads/smc-rom-simm-prototype.2198/post-19023

Thank you for the enlightenment, @Kay K.M.Mods and @JDW!