I found a Mac IIci at my school!

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2012, June 5 - 3:45pm

Googie2149

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I found a Mac IIci at my school!

What the title says. I found it in a box that's been "growing" old CRT monitors and cables, and today, the last day of school, it had a Mac IIci in it! Unfortunately I was rushing to get to the bus and didn't ask, but I'm heading back in just a bit to go ask for it. If I do somehow get it (they're nice teachers), could I use the ADB keyboard/mouse and the weird monitor from my Power Macintosh to use it? I haven't had a good look at the back.

Edit: Looked around on the internet, I guess I can! http://support.apple.com/kb/SP334 and http://support.apple.com/kb/SP197 helped.

Edit 2: I went back again, the door was locked. I've sent an email, but I'm not entirely sure how good my chances are of the email even being read before summer starts.

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2012, June 5 - 5:45pm

24bit

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Nice finding! Any chance you could convince a teacher or janitor to let you in?
I have been using my Apple Extended Keyboard all the way from the MacII to the 7500, because newer keyboards seemed to be of poor quality to me. As you said, if its ADB it will work.

Sadly many MacII´s developed issues over time, so be prepared that it will not boot easily, if you should get hold of it.

2012, June 5 - 5:48pm

(Reply to #2) #3

Googie2149

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I sent an email to the teacher, and I'm still waiting (hoping) for a response. I'll have to go back there tomorrow to remake an exam I missed, so I'll just have to wait and see what happens.

2012, June 6 - 1:42am

(Reply to #3) #4

MikeTomTom

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Great. I hope you get it. A 68030 32bit clean CPU at 25MHz plus on board FPU, very nice. I had a Quadra 700 which shares the same case design. It has to be the easiest computer to take apart, just lift the lid, remove a single screw securing the drive mount and its all there at your fingertips, a joy to work on.

2012, June 5 - 7:02pm

max1zzz

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Joined: 2010 Oct 3

Lucky, over here no use macs, and apparently it's school policy that they can't even give us the old pc's.
But i do have to say nice find, i have always wanted a macII...

2012, June 6 - 8:30am

bertyboy

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Joined: 2009 Jun 14

Hope you get it too. I had one from new many years ago.

2012, June 6 - 4:36pm

Googie2149

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I got it! Other than missing a pad on the bottom, it seems fine. Haven't booted it up yet, but here's a picture http://db.tt/zcu0DvoE

Edit: no hard drive...

Edit 2: Currently, it turns on when I plug it in, but nothing comes up on screen (maybe it's too big) and it doesn't respond to anything from the keyboard, mouse, or mashing to power button.

Edit 3: What kind of drive replacement should I be looking for, and what do I need to do to get this thing running? And what do the buttons on the front do?

2012, June 6 - 5:24pm

SwedeBear

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Joined: 2009 Apr 18

You could prepare a Norton Diskdoctor Startup floppy and run from there in order to get more info.

2012, June 6 - 6:42pm

(Reply to #8) #9

Googie2149

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Yeah, but I don't think it works with my screen at all... I'm using the screen that works with my Power Mac, and while the port is the same, I don't think the Mac IIci likes it.

2012, June 6 - 6:45pm

#10

bertyboy

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Woohoo.

Excellent news.

You'll just need a SCSI I or II drive, anything up to about 4GB. I had some spare drives, but I'm at the bottom of the world. Or we could try with a floppy just to get it booted. Despite losing my IIsi and IIci, I still have the floppy to boot it.

How are the memory slots ?

What sort of startup chime do you get ?

2012, June 6 - 7:20pm

(Reply to #10) #11

Googie2149

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I actually just took some pictures of it. All the memory slots are filled (these things are tiny compared to new computers!), and when turning it on it makes the single chime that it should. Sounds just like it does in a Mac II emulator I found before. It didn't come with a keyboard, mouse, or monitor, but I have a PCI Power Mac that I'm borrowing stuff from. Other than making a chime and turning the light on, I can't get a response from anything, and the screen doesn't even turn on.

RAM and motherboard: http://db.tt/IvwE0PTA
Slots: http://db.tt/PMmTZmI8
Over view shot I guess: http://db.tt/fDc2DBUX
Back: http://db.tt/fDc2DBUX
Not sure what this card is: http://db.tt/LzIg98Io

Sorry for poor quality, the iPad has a terrible camera.

2012, June 6 - 9:27pm

#12

SwedeBear

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Is that a VGA-port on the unidientified card?

2012, June 6 - 9:31pm

(Reply to #12) #13

Googie2149

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No, I wish though. Not a port with pins like a VGA, more of like a little thing that would go in and has tiny clips near it

2012, June 6 - 10:01pm

#14

Protocol 7

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Hard to tell from the pic, but it might be a ethernet card with a AAUI connector.

2012, June 6 - 10:09pm

(Reply to #14) #15

Googie2149

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I have no idea what it is, but I'll try to get a better quality photo soon.

2012, June 6 - 10:42pm

#16

Protocol 7

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According to wikipedia, the IIci has integrated video. So there should be a video-out port on the back.

2012, June 6 - 10:52pm

(Reply to #16) #17

Googie2149

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Yeah, but for some reason it doesn't like the monitor I have (an Apple MultiplemScan 15w Display model number M4681). The computer starts up, plays a sound through the monitor's speakers, and the screen remains dormant. It does work with my other Mac, so it's not broken.

2012, June 6 - 11:33pm

(Reply to #17) #18

Googie2149

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Got better photos

Back: http://db.tt/qAMixzM7
Unknown card: http://db.tt/x4Qa1EJI
Internal: http://db.tt/mW1eajed

2012, June 7 - 12:29am

(Reply to #18) #19

MikeTomTom

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Nice stills. The "unknown" card in the NUBUS slot is an ethernet adapter, from the early 1990's & is called "Attachment Unit Interface" or commonly, AUI.

2012, June 7 - 12:32am

(Reply to #19) #20

Googie2149

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Heh, now I just need an adapter and I can get this thing onto my network. Who needs a screen and OS, so long as you have a connection?

2012, June 7 - 1:57am

(Reply to #20) #21

MikeTomTom

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now I just need an adapter and I can get this thing onto my network. Who needs a screen and OS, so long as you have a connection?

You might find the Mac IIci Service Manual to be useful at this stage (PDF, right click to download).

2012, June 7 - 2:04am

(Reply to #25) #22

Googie2149

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Heh, I already found that earlier today
But thanks everyone for all the help with this! This community is awesome!

2012, June 7 - 12:33am

#23

theos911

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Joined: 2012 Jan 23

Nitpick: That is actually AAUI (Applw Attachment Unit Interface). They didn't want to use the standard port because it was identical to the video out port.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Attachment_Unit_Interface

2012, June 7 - 12:37am

(Reply to #21) #24

MikeTomTom

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It is too

At least an AAUI connection is easier to locate a transceiver for I would think.

2012, June 7 - 12:41am

#25

theos911

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Wow... editing rights pass quick here... so much for my spelling...

"There was already an established AUI standard. Unfortunately for Apple and for Mac users, it used the same 15-pin DA-15 connector that Apple had standardized on when it introduced the Mac II and external monitors in 1987. Using the same physical connector would have created havoc." ~ lowendmac

2012, June 7 - 1:35am

#26

MikeTomTom

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Wow... editing rights pass quick here

Yes, I found that too when attempting to correct my botched post in this thread. Usually not the case and hopefully...

[Edit] ah its passed

2012, June 7 - 8:29am

#27

bertyboy

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Don't know if it helps, the built-in video used low-end RAM, on this and the IIsi, and there was a limit I seem to remember, maybe 640x400 or 800x600 at 256 colours. Been a long time since I had them. That was the Apple 13" RGB (Sony Trintron) display. The IIci alo supported a 16" B&W monitor at higher resolution. I don't think either supported the Multiscan monitors that came later.

I do remember there being adapters, tiny little things, from the time, that either allowed either those early Macs to use the multiscan monitors, or the later Macs to use the older monitors.

2012, June 7 - 11:36am

#28

24bit

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bertyboy is right, as usual: "The onboard video is capable of supporting a single display 512x384 and 640x480 at 8-bit in either landscape or portrait orientation. However, the Macintosh IIci can support as many as four displays with three added NuBus video cards."
(From everymac.com)
Some modern monitors still can support 640x480, but not all of them.
Sync on green was a problem too with Mac to VGA converters.

I have a spare 13 inch b/w Mac monitor in storage, but sending it around the world would be rather expensive an destructive.

2012, June 7 - 12:46pm

#29

Googie2149

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So it's looking like if I want to do anything with this, I'll have to get either an adapter or a new monitor. Any places or search terms that would help me find one?

2012, June 7 - 2:39pm

#30

24bit

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Either look for a monitor that will display 640x480 with sync on green,
or get a Nubus graphics card with better connectivity than the built in graphics.

I´m positive that FSI TFTs could display sync on green 640x480 and you could solder a cable yourself.
A display like this should work for you too: http://www.viewsonic.com/products/archive/vx922.htm
The SOG feature was rather common, but has been dropped by some manufacturers, it seems.
Even worse, many TFTs wont even work with the Mac´s 75Hz video signal.

2012, June 7 - 7:59pm

#31

Googie2149

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Would this adapter work? http://www.amazon.com/Adapter-DB15-Male-HD15-Female/dp/B0016OC1J2/ref=sr...

I have a couple of old LCDs and a decently old (1997ish) Sony CRT.

2012, June 7 - 8:39pm

#32

24bit

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To me the adapter looks good. Your Sony would be my first try, but many older LCDs could synchronize 75Hz and scale up the 640x480 screen.

2012, June 7 - 8:51pm

(Reply to #32) #33

Googie2149

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I just checked, all of mine say 50/60Hz... Crap.
Someone want to help me find an inexpensive nubus card that would work?

2012, June 7 - 9:52pm

#34

24bit

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50/60Hz usually describes the monitor´s power supply.
Typical h-sync frequencies would be 30 to 130 kHz and v-sync 60 to 200Hz.
The Mac´s v-sync of 75Hz is not too exotic.
Maybe you should check your docs and manuals again, I´m pretty sure your Sony will work with an adapter.

2012, June 7 - 10:03pm

(Reply to #34) #35

Googie2149

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Found the manual online (http://www.docs.sony.com/release/CPD100VS.PDF), looks like it can! Now to order this thing...

2012, June 8 - 3:21pm

#36

radius81110

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Where you located at Googie2149...I do have a nubus Radius Video card that I have sitting around...I don't remember if it works with that mac...You can mail me and let me know your location...If you are in the US?..........You can have it....:
radius81110 at aim dot com

http://lowendmac.com/video/radius24xp.html

Took some picts in case your interested....

http://www.mediafire.com/i/?smupxm1njx4cw7d
http://www.mediafire.com/i/?czq14y81v6sehhb

2012, June 8 - 4:57pm

(Reply to #36) #37

Googie2149

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Sent you an email, but forgot to say that it was me XD. My email begins with gc2149. Thanks for offering me the card!
Edit: heh, I guess it didn't like sim.com instead of aim.com. Dang you soft keyboard!

2012, June 8 - 6:17pm

(Reply to #37) #38

radius81110

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Mail replied tol...:

2012, June 8 - 6:19pm

(Reply to #38) #39

Googie2149

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Thank you so much!

2012, June 8 - 6:53pm

(Reply to #39) #40

radius81110

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Sure thing....I hate seeing old macs not working..

2012, June 9 - 12:41pm

#41

themacmeister

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and yet another Mac Garden legend is born -> radius81110

2012, June 9 - 8:24pm

(Reply to #41) #42

radius81110

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hehe..:

2012, June 9 - 1:00pm

#43

24bit

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As a side note, the Mac to LCD issue is covered here: http://68kmla.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=18306&sid=c8a27ebaab7f8d03...

2012, June 10 - 3:54am

#44

Googie2149

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Oh! During this week, I will have limited, if any, internet access. I'm hoping that will change, but it probably won't.

2012, June 10 - 4:34pm

#45

brendan10211

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Joined: 2012 Jun 10

This is cool! Definitely watching this thread. Good luck getting it going!

2012, June 11 - 1:29am

(Reply to #45) #46

Googie2149

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Well, hello there Brendan. Didn't expect you here of all places

2012, June 10 - 10:49pm

#47

Ilovetheoldones

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Good luck getting it going! I'm currently trying to revive an SE, I enjoy bringing these old machines back to life.

2012, June 14 - 4:49pm

#48

Googie2149

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Woo! The card came today! Now to test it

Edit: I have video! It works!!

2012, June 14 - 5:39pm

#49

radius81110

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Hurray!!!...Now to get that thing booted up into a system....:

2012, June 14 - 9:08pm

(Reply to #49) #50

Googie2149

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Ran into a slight problem; I can't find my USB Zip Drive so I can get files onto my Power Macintosh which does have a floppy drive.

Edit: Alright, I've found it now, and I'm just trying to get winblows to work with the disk.

Edit 2: Formatting a floppy takes forever...

Edit 3: I got a network disk made, and I got a happy mac when I put it in. A little bit later, the mac disappeared and in the lower left corner a box that said Radius appeared, then it sent me back to the floppy disk with a blinking question mark. I guess it's progress from no floppy disk on screen.

Edit 4: Immediately after the radius logo, it ejects the disk (or rather, it tries to. The disk raises inside the thing and I have to push a screw driver into the hole next to the drive), and immediately whenever I put a disk in after the radius logo first appeared. Also, I think the drive may just be broken, I have to push the disk down after inserting it, and it kind of go "swish swish swish" as I'm pushing it down until it clicks and stays down, at which point I get a happy mac, radius logo, and the disk pops back up.

2012, June 14 - 9:35pm

(Reply to #50) #51

radius81110

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That means that the mac might not like what is on that floppy...It sees what is on the floppy to a certain point and then finds no real system to boot from so it will spit out the floppy disk and boot not further with the sad mac...Try making a rescue system boot disk...You cannot use any of the systems component from the power mac..Thats PPC code and will result in the same disk spitting out and sad mac......
You can even grab this and write the emergency disk to a floppy..
http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/norton-utilities-321
I think this one can be booted from..I may be wrong thou its been awhile...
Also remember as you might be aware is be careful of how you use these files made for the preOSX systems....Windows like to destroy and strip the data forks automagically so they become corrupt and useless...So do not even use windows in the mix if you can help it...