Old Mac LC 630 won't boot

[fifizle]

I dusted off an old Mac LC 630 which was functional before going into storage, but now it doesn't boot. I plugged in the computer, monitor, and the Apple ADB Keyboard II, and pressed the power button on the keyboard. Nothing. No fans, LEDs, sounds of any kind. I'm pretty sure the PRAM battery is dead, but would that prevent booting?

Is there any simple troubleshooting worth trying on this 23 year old Mac?

http://lowendmac.com/1994/performa-630/
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_lc/specs/mac_lc_630.html

 

[chscag]

Welcome to our forums.

I don't know if a dead PRAM battery would cause the machine to likewise be dead. One way you can find out is to replace the PRAM battery which is still sold at many on line Mac parts distributors. Also, those old LC 630 machines had electro caps that would go bad so it's possible the power supply has failed from being in storage. If you want to trouble shoot the machine for the fun of it, go ahead. But be careful about spending $$$ on it. ;D

 

[fifizle]

Thanks for reminding me to check the capacitors. I took a look around and nothing looked obviously damaged. Ever since I remember, the PSU on this computer always made a high pitched sound while plugged in (whether the Mac was powered on or not), and that is still true now. I didn't think the PRAM battery would prevent booting, but you never know... Though unlikely, I also wondered if the keyboard could be the problem since I couldn't rule it out it as the on/off button is on it.

I definitely don't want to spend money on it, or much time. Just trying to see if it's worth selling/donating, or if it should be recycled. And it would have been nice to see its contents one last time before it goes. Despite its insane-for-the-time 1GB HDD, there's a reason why it was in storage!

 

[pigoo3]

I would start off by getting a new PRAM battery. I'm familiar with Mac's from the 80's thru today (ahem...too many in my basement)! Lol And I've seen different era Mac's respond differently to a dead PRAM battery.

As far as the whining power supply. That's usually a sysmptom of a power suppy on it's last legs...and maybe already gone. If this is the case...then you don't need a new PRAM battery...you need a replacement power supply. Which may or may not be easy to find...and if you do find one...it may not be cheap.

As far as selling/donating:

* Donating = no thrift store wants a 23 year-old obsolete computer
* Selling = good luck. On Craig's list $10 bucks if you're lucky. On eBay...maybe you get lucky if it finds the right person. But still won't sell for enough to retire in Florida!

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

One way you can find out is to replace the PRAM battery which is still sold at many on line Mac parts distributors.

Those Rayovac 870 or 871 I believe they were batteries were getting pretty hard to fine many years ago and very expensive, so I'd guess they are almost nonexistent these days, at least in any decent working shape.

Many have used a substitute using AA or AAA batteries. Use a AA or AAA battery pack or just tape and arrange the batteries in series, so that (3) 1.5-volt batteries produce 4.5 volts.

The original internal battery is a 4.5-volt alkaline, Rayovac type 870 or 871. It's secured to the motherboard with very strong velcro but the connector and leads can be re-used.

My LC 630 is sitting in our basement computer work area, and did work some several years ago. Great fun Macs they were too.

Capacitor Replacements are still available from several sites including:
https://wiki.68kmla.org/Capacitor_Replacement

I didn't think the PRAM battery would prevent booting,

I can't recall exactly, but I think those Macs were so affected.

And it would have been nice to see its contents one last time before it goes.

The drives can be accessed using a USB enclosure or an adapter. OWC (sacsales.com) sells a good NewerTec one for under $20.00 - $30.00 I think, still.




- Patrick
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[chscag]

The PRAM battery can be purchased from NewerTech but they do not mention price. If it's too expensive, you can always do like Patrick mentioned above and use AA long lasting super alkaline batteries instead. You can probably also find them on eBay.

 

[fifizle]

So much expertise on this forum!

pm-r, if you ever have the time, would you mind trying to boot your LC 630 with the PRAM battery disconnected to confirm its effect?

Yes, I tried manually connecting 3 AA batteries in series via leads temporarily attached to the battery pins on the motherboard, just to see if it would boot. I know, really sketchy. It didn't boot, but these were rechargeable AA batteries rated for ~1.2V so the total was only around 3.7V. Maybe I'll try again with an arrangement closer to 4.5V. But I have no intention of spending any money on this computer.

I realize there isn't exactly a big market for these old computers. haha I just hate to see usable stuff get trashed and I'd rather see it go somewhere it could be useful or appreciated. My old 486 PC just slightly younger than this LC 630 went (actually got sold) to someone who wanted to play old games "as they were meant."

The prime reason this computer was in storage was because it has no network interface, and without network/internet access, its usability is marginal. Plus the 24/7 high-pitched sound from the PSU was really annoying.

 

[pm-r]

The PRAM battery can be purchased from NewerTech but they do not mention price.

Make that "used to be able to purchase", and the old good news said "Battery only $7.99" but the bad news is the "purchase page" says "Sold Out". Bummer.

As I said, it was almost impossible to find one to purchase some many several years ago, and I think the last I saw then was $20.00+ for the square 4.5v battery with leads!!!

 

[pm-r]

@fifizle

pm-r, if you ever have the time, would you mind trying to boot your LC 630 with the PRAM battery disconnected to confirm its effect?

Sorry fifizle, but due to some fairly recent surgery, it will probably be quite some time before I attempt to access or boot the old LC 630.

And yes, the comm ethernet cards were special and mine had the more expensive comm slot card as the custom PCI slot or whatever it was called was taken up with some other speciality Apple cards I still have installed in it. Apple TV and a special MPEG cards among them. i.e.: it was loaded +!!!




- Patrick
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[pm-r]

As for a dead PRAM battery and booting, have a read here:

Dead PRAM Battery

If the date and time reset every time you unplug the Mac and you get a warning on startup, you need a new PRAM (NV-RAM) battery. Some batteries are easy to change; others (especially portables) can be very difficult. A dead or low PRAM battery can prevent a system from booting or can cause erratic boot behavior; this is particularly common with laptops.

If a replacement battery is not available or the battery is inaccessible, plug in the AC power adapter and leave the computer charging for 30-60 minutes. This often recharges the battery enough to permit booting. If an hour doesn’t work, leave it plugged in overnight and try the next day.

http://lowendmac.com/2007/solving-mac-startup-problems/

PS: Letting it "charge" overnight was not unheard of with those Macs for some reason I've forgotten.




- Patrick
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[fifizle]

pm-r, sorry to hear about the surgery. Speedy recovery.

It seems strange that an alkaline battery would be "recharged" but I left it plugged in overnight anyways. It still wouldn't boot this morning. However, considering the age of the battery, it shouldn't be too surprising. Yesterday I had measured ~0.11V on that 4.5V battery...

 

[chscag]

It appears your LC 630 = RIP. Give it a good funeral and farewell.

 

[pigoo3]

It seems strange that an alkaline battery would be "recharged" but I left it plugged in overnight anyways.

Not strange at all. Alkaline batteries and battery chargers have been around for decades. Not even close to being as good as today's Lithium Ion rechargeable batteries. But back in the day before Nickel-Cadmium and Lithium Ion batteries...rechargeable alkaline batteries were the best there was.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HYIH0AY/?tag=macforums0e4-20

Now this is not to say that the battery in an LC 630 is rechargeable...but maybe it did pick up a bit of a residual charge...which may dissipate as quickly as it was gained. With the high-pitched sound you mentioned...I'm betting the PS is a goner & needs to be replaced. Which is probably not worth it on such an old computer (unless cost is not a concern).

- Nick