OK, Stuart: I know this is considered a Takky ... but I was recently confused by something I read on MicroMac: they indicate an LC 575 (or any 5xx for that matter) can be upgraded to an LC 5200 by a simple logic board swap. What!?! If that's true, why again doesn't the Pythagorean theorem work here? If B works in A and C works in B, then C should work in A. Right? It would seem that I should be able to use the 5200 logic board in the CC with the ease of using the 575. So why isn't it this easy (before I run out and buy a 5200)? Sorry if I'm treading over worn ground, but I did a search and didn't find much pertaining to the 5200 upgrade in particular. I had just never heard the 5200 in 5xx was possible this easily before.
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The problem has to do with the depth of the connector and the power supply voltages. 5xxx and 6xxx series logic boards won't work in a CC with a stock power supply; they need an extra 3.3v source, as I recall. If you're going through the trouble to put a 5200 logic board in a CC, you might as well go for a 5500/6500 for greatly improved performance.
Like I said, I did a LITTLE research before I posted and the power supply issue doesn't apply to 52xx/62xx/53xx/63xx and possibly 55xx/65xx boards. The main issue is the wiring harness and connectors. But if it's a wiring issue only and the 5200 board works in a 575 and a 575 board works in a CC, then I really don't understand the problem, especially since the 575 harness is interchangeable with the CC harness.
You won't be able to swap a 575 for a 5200/5300, etc. The edge connectors are different. I looked at MicroMac's site, and don't see a 575 to 5xxx upgrade, but there is a 580/630 upgrade to 5xxx, which all share the same larger edge connector.
One company - perhaps MicroMac, but i can't find the link - is changing the edge connector on the 5xxx board to a 575-type connector with a small daughterboard inbetween.
The 3.3v is needed for boards with PCI - and to complicate the issue, only some of them.
No. But you must all think I am. Here's the link I'm talking about:
http://www.micromac.com/products/lb_p5200_upgrade.html
Perhaps I should have read the FAQ though: http://www.micromac.com/FAQ/faq_p5200_upgrade.html
They have clearly manufactured an adapter of some sort -- I would love to get a look at THAT! But they claim it will not fit in a Color Classic. Again, I can't imagine something that will fit in a 575 logic board bay but not in a CC (at least with a little modification).
If they did change the edge connector, there's nothing in between it and the 575 according to the installation instructions. However, there is some mention about the video jumpers to provide the correct resolution for your 5xx, so there must be some additional modification to the logic board, unless this is standard to the 5200 board.
Either way, false alarm. A new wiring harness is a much more elegant way to go. Sorry.
It does indeed seem that the edge connector of the logic board has been changed. In the supported models, a chassis extension is required. The reason a CC isn't supported, they say, is because the outer chassis extension won't fit onto the rear of a CC case.
It appears to be that simple - it will work with a CC otherwise.
The problem, however, is cost - not only the $500+ price of the upgrade, but also the fact that you have to pay them an extra $200 as a deposit on your existing mobo, which you then send back to them. If you send them back a CC mobo, they will likely not honor the deposit and keep your $200, raising your cost to $700+.
Matt
It's 1998! Seven whole years ago! When 75Mhz was an upgrade.
MicroMac were never cheap; now their prices (even if the items are still actually available) are irrelevant when 275Mhz 6500 boards are $20.
For the record, the 520 - 575 boards fit a CC with no mods - Mystic.
580, 52xx, 53xx boards need the Takky chassis mod.
5360, 5400, 5500 boards need Takky plus 3.3v supply.
6400, 6500 boards need Takky, but may well work without a 3.3v supply as long as you don't want to use the PCI cards.
Stuart
And I can't imagine that was less expensive than the Apple PPC Upgrade Card which also allowed compatibility with the older 68040 software.
Being handy with a soldering iron, the idea of simply replacing the connector intrigues me , but MicroMac clearly added something to the logic board to modify the video (with those resolution jumpers) as well and who knows what else, so until I come accross one of these boards on eBay, it looks like a harness swap for me ... and it just so happens I have a 6500 sitting right here just begging for a makeover. But probably, it'll end up with a mini inside, that is once the prices come down on the old ones after Apple has to start labeling their new Macs with "Intel Inside" stickers.
Thanks Stuart, as always you put us back on an even keel ... don't know what I was thinking -- if there was a PPC mod that easy, you would have known about it.
The MLB upgrade into a 520 - 575 is the same deal as with a CC, cut slots, replacement of the harness, etc. Certainly do-able, dunno if it's worth it though since the 5xx formfactor lacks the inherent cuteness of the CC. However, it'd sure be alot easier to stuff a multisynch display into a 5xx . . .
It is to laugh, whenever I revisit Micromac. I'd love to hear the story of their continued existance. What's the business model that anymore even pays for their webserver?
dan k
That's not what I meant at all ... I just thought if I could do it to a 575, then it should work on the CC -- and it will. Just not too practical. For my money, the 5xx series was the ugliest, most offensive Mac design ever cobbled-together with no regard to the aesthetic and style incorporated in every all-in-one Mac, prototype, or box Mac for that matter, to proceed it. It was like a size 2 dress designed on an 18 year old fit model being re-cut for a size 42 grandmother.
When we moved into this place about 4 months ago, I found a 575 in the garage. It's been sitting next to my desk collecting dust for probably 3 of those months... it'd be pretty cool to hack around on it though.
So if I'm understanding correctly, if I'm scoping out options for mobo swaps on this, I can use the CC FAQ as a reference?
-- Macinjosh
(Then again, when I can get a PPC integrated Mac like a 52XX or whatever they are for $5 or less at the uni surplus shop, doesnt make much sense. Except for that is, for the simple adventure of doing it...)
BTW, I do agree, they're kinda ugly little critters. Can't complain too hard about free though...
EDIT: Nah. hehe
Use it to prep your Takky upgrade. Then move it to a CC when you get one (and you will ... best not to fight it). Then, use the 575 analogue board to upgrade your CC to stereo, etc. and for spare parts. They are definitely useful for something -- if you had a cat, I bet it would make a great litter box.
Oh believe me, if the uni had produced a CC, it'd be done and done already. Closest was an SE/30, which has been calling to me lately when I go up there, but it's been sitting in the same spot for probably, 6 months now, so no hurry.
In my experience 6500 (and 5500) boards do not need a 3.3v PSU, and they work fine with PCI cards without a 3.3v PSU as well.
5400/6400 boards are another matter altogether.
Matt