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Tech Tips: Compact Conundrums
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A whole set of questions dedicated to the cutest little machine in the world
How do I open a 'Compact' Mac?
How do I boot a Mac Classic directly from ROM?
How can I change the screen size on my Compact Mac?
My Mac displays black and white bars (or a checkerboard) on startup or it behaves eractically - help!
My Compact Mac has totally died - what can I do with it?
I set the screen brightness on my Classic/Classic II but when I restart the machine it changes - why?
Is there anyway to upgrade my Compact Mac's CPU?
My Colour Classic is dead! I can't power it up!
Can I connect an external monitor to my Compact Mac?
The Mac Plus can support up to 4Mb - why won't mine?
My SE/30 has started 'squealing' at me through it's internal speaker when I turn it on and all the time that I use it (with the pitch changing when I open windows, move the mouse etc.) - How do I shut it up?
[Q]: How do I open a 'Compact' Mac?
[A]: The actual procedure will vary from machine to machine but the tool you need to do the job is a Torx T-15 screwdriver (a long one) and there are usually 4 screws to find (2 in the handle). When opening Compact Macs it's essential that care be taken as the machine houses a CRT tube that throws thousands of volts around - to keep things safe, switch the machine OFF and leave it for around an hour before attempting to open the case.
[Q]: How do I boot a Mac Classic directly from ROM?
[A]: The Mac Classic includes a special version of Mac OS on its ROM. No other Mac has this feature and if you need to boot your Classic from ROM, hold down Command-Option-X-O at startup.
[Q]: How can I change the screen size on my Compact Mac?
[A]: This is a tricky thing to do but if you take off the case there are usually a set of controls that are accessible at the back of the PSU board (usually through the cardboard insert). Use an insulated screwdriver and adjust as need be. Note: Not only is this a dangerous thing to do in terms of killing yourself (and your machine) but because of their very age, Compact Macs typically have screen burn in - adjusting the screen can really make this damage visible (and the desktop harder to use).
[Q]: My Mac displays black and white bars (or a checkerboard) on startup or it behaves eractically - help!
[A]: On some Macs (the Classic II especially) the elecytrolyte in some of the components can leak and cause all kinds of weird behaviour. Before you try fixing this though, try reseating the ROMs (if possible). If this doesn't work, try cleaning any leaking electrolyte (and, despite all the common sense in the world, it is possible to wash a motherboard in a dish of soapy water - just rinse it well and leave it to dry out totally. This does actually work - I saved a Macintosh II this way!).
[Q]: My Compact Mac has totally died - what can I do with it?
[A]: Assuming that your Mac is 100%, genuine, stake-through-the-heart-never-going-to-bing-again dead then you could always turn it into a Macquarium. Please, please, please, please, please don't do this to a working machine though - someone out there will always be willing to buy it.
[Q]: I set the screen brightness on my Classic/Classic II but when I restart the machine it changes - why?
[A]: To stop users thinking that their machines weren't working, Apple had the brightness settings reset themselves on startup if they were set too low - this is probably what's happening.
[Q]: Is there anyway to upgrade my Compact Mac's CPU?
[A]: The slightly annoying answer is that there WAS. DayStar and their rival companies DID produce upgrades but they're long since discontinued. Some of the later Compacts (e.g. the Colour Classics) can have replacement motherboards fitted but my advice would be to leave well alone - if you want a faster Mac, BUY ONE (don't butcher an old one).
[Q]: My Colour Classic is dead! I can't power it up!
[A]: The Colour Classic (and probably Colour Classic II) are powered up via the power button on the keyboard - simply plugging in the power and switching on at the back of the machine isn't enough. Connect up the power, flick the switch at the back and then press the power key on the keyboard.
[Q]: Can I connect an external monitor to my Compact Mac?
[A]: If your Mac has an expansion slot then it might be possible but finding cards for external monitors is very difficult and you're definitely in the realms of the second hand market.
[Q]: The Mac Plus can support up to 4Mb - why won't mine?
[A]: The Mac Plus does support up to 4Mb of RAM but you have to do some surgery (otherwise the maximum it can 'see' is 2Mb). Open the case and remove the main board (disconnect the internal power and floppy cables). With the board in front of you and the ports at the top, locate the R8 resister (top left, just below the interrupt and reset switches - it should have 'RAM SIZE' printed above it). This resistor needs to be cut at one end (or removed totally). Once this is done, put your machine back together and you should have access to all 4Mb!
[Q]: My SE/30 has started 'squealing' at me through it's internal speaker when I turn it on and all the time that I use it (with the pitch changing when I open windows, move the mouse etc.) - How do I shut it up?
[A]: As with a lot of problems, this comes down to electrolyte leakage on the motherboard. You can either use the dishwasher trick or just clean around the surface mounted capacitors with a cotton wool bud. That should keep your little machine quiet.
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