I just found the power supplies for my two PowerBook 100s, and I tried to power them up. One goes as far as to show a curser and a floppy with a question mark, and the other makes a chiming noise, but nothing comes on the screen.
What should I do next? I'm afraid whatever memory I had of operating these computers is long gone. I'm sorry if I'm asking for information that is available elsewhere - if that is the case, and you can point me to that information, I would appreciate it. I haven't had much luck finding it.
Thanks in advance.
for the one with the flashing question mark, it needs an OS. you can get them from apple here. they have everything from 6.0.3 to 7.5.5. the PB100 can run any OS from 6.0.8L (a special version for some of the older "newer" machines. google for it. all the way to 7.5.5. I recommend 7.1 unless they have the max 8mb of RAM, in which case run 7.5.5 if you want. personal choice there.
on the one where you dont get anything on the screen, first, you see those two dials under the display? turn the right one all the way up, clockwise. that's the brightness dial. if that doesnt work, try that with the other dial. the other one is the contrast dial.
if THAT doesnt work, pull out a phillips screwdriver, unscrew the three screws on the bottom of the powerbook, flip it over, open the latch, and right in front of the keyboard is the display/speaker cable. check the connection on that. though you mention the speaker does make noise, then it must be the brightness all the way down. try that first. only do the cable check IF you dont fear the reeper/insides of computers.
hope this hepls. -digital
On mine, sometimes the screen stay blank for up to a 30 seconds after the chime. I think it has something to do with the fact that my PRAM batts are dead. So before you open it up, just leave it to boot for a while. Else, your capacitors may be fried.
Thanks for the info. I haven't had time to get back to work on them again. I did try before to adjust the brightness and the other knob, but didn't have any luck. As soon as I can dig into them a bit (and download the system software) I will give it another shot.
PB 100s have undergone a minor surge of notice in two other forums recently. You may be able to glean some of the PB's inner secrets from this site or this one.
I gave into temptation a month or so back and bought an old PowerBook 100. I finally got a cheap AC adapter to test the thing with this week.
Mersidoe, looks like I'm in the same boat. I've been Googling for the past 6 hours or so, and found several good resources. I get a chime, whirr, Happy Mac, and then the machine crashes. I'm not mac-tastic enough to know if the machine is attempting to boot from the HD right after the Happy Mac, or exactly what part of the booting process is occuring at crash. I did see in the PB100 FAQ:
http://www.open.ou.nl//psl/pb100/
that strange things happen if the PRAM batteries are kaput. And mine are as dead as a hammer. Gotta locate some tomorrow around town. I'm curious, does anyone remember if this is indeed the case? Could my spontaneous crash following the Happy Mac be dead PRAM batteries?
For the sake of completeness, I have already disassembled the machine, resoldered the power connector (known problem) and checked the fuse. Everything looks good...
any thoughts?
thanks,
Mike
any bad caps in the screen, mobo, etc
funnymanse30-
It's possible. After having cap troubles in my se/30, it was on my mind. I looked around the mobo for leaky caps and none sprung out at me. There are a bunch, so it is definately a likelyhood. If the PRAM batteries don't do it, then that'll probably be my next course of action.
thanks,
mike
The two links in the post of 16 April may also be of use to you.