Steve Jobs Broke This Mac

☀️ New "Totally Normal" shirt: shop.actionretro.com/products...
Today we're saving a sad Macintosh Plus, which has the old "chime but no video" issue. It's a simple fix, and I bet you can do it yourself!
VIDEO LINKS:
☀️VCF East 2024: vcfed.org/events/vintage-comp...
☀️ Floppy Emu: www.bigmessowires.com/floppy-...
☀️ Compact Mac T15 screwdriver: amzn.to/499xKlh (better magnetic version)
☀️ My Hakko soldering iron: amzn.to/4a59n9z
══════════════════════════
💾 For more vintage Apple stuff, please subscribe: kzbin.info?s...
💾 Support these retro computing shenanigans on Patreon! / actionretro
🍎 I have merch now! shop.actionretro.com/
══════════════════════════
Check out my Amazon page with links to my tools, adapters, soldering equipment, camera gear and more: www.amazon.com/shop/actionretro
══════════════════════════
💬 Come talk about old computers on the BitBang Social Mastodon! bitbang.social
══════════════════════════
#Macintosh #MacPlus #MARCHintosh

[@iAmKilljoy]

There was a moment at the beginning when I thought you were going to say, "This Mac Plus is suffering from a fault... It's not running Haiku!"

[@SonicBoone56]

Lmfao

[@TheZoomoftheWell]

“How quaint.”-scotty

[@pseudotasuki]

Hello, computer.

[@algorithms-memo104]

@@pseudotasukiAww I was hoping to be first to the "Scotty reference" party but I've arrived far too late...

[@JVHShack]

Star Trek IV, Scotty: "Ah, a keyboard. How quaint."

[@RowanBird779]

I'm actually glad they used Torx, because it doesn't strip if you look at it wrong

[@TorutheRedFox]

the issue with Phillips screws is that most aren't actually Phillips screws, but instead are JIS screws that also are cross-shaped but take a flat screwdriver instead of the bullet-tipped Phillips screwdrivers that would strip it in three seconds

[@dant5464]

Jobs' policy on fans was very much silent but deadly

[@RussTech125]

Good joke!

[@JoBot__]

Indeed.

[@derbastilian]

Missed opportunity to call the floppy "Seananigans".

[@charliesretrocomputing]

NOOOOO!

[@meta-baron]

That is also what i always think of when Sean says "shenanigans" - "Seannanigans" is a perfect slogan 😀

[@feieralarm]

"Fortunately, all the screws are exactly the same size!" - shows screws with 2 different types of threads

[@Us-two]

Same torx size, beeno.

[@Minty1337]

@@Us-two that makes it significantly worse if there are 2 kinds of threads! it'd be very easy to mix them up and cross-thread the wrong screw in the wrong hole, they're the same size bit, so they're hard to tell apart.

[@Us-two]

@@Minty1337Normally one can see the difference, self-threading are tapered at the end and have a much coarser thread - these are used when installing in plastic. But I agree, when your eyes are as old as mine (79 years) the screws are a bit difficult to differentiate. Have a lovely day.

[@joeturner7959]

@@Us-twoToo bad he used a hex wrench on the sheet metal three, and a torx on the two handle ones, which should get lost...

[@dglcomputers1498]

Talking about the lack of fans, in the UK we had the opposite issue, the Amstrad PC1512/1640 had the PSU in the monitor and as such convection cooling was enough, IBM losing sales put out the rumour along the lines of "these computers are unreliable, they have no fans so they overheat". In the end to placate customers a fan was added to HDD models, Alan Sugar remarking something along the line of "we'd paint it pink leopard print if the customers wanted it". Alas the replacement for the PC1512/1640 was unreliable and got recalled, none of it was down to anything Amstrad had done with the design but they were supplied dodgy hard disks, something Amstrad sued and won damages over.

[@mikebailey783]

The reference is surely Denholm Reynholm from The IT Crowd!! “Hello... computer?! - Hello…” - Did I get the Chris Morris points? (Hmm, thinking about it , it might just be Star Trek...)

[@explosivelybrilliant]

"A keyboard; how quaint."

[@Det_Fuse]

Lol Scottie in Star Trek IV reference. I'll take my 10 points. Don't know what they're for, but I want 'em!

[@bpmadmasta98]

Lol Star Trek IV reference. As a fellow nerd I respect. Trekkie gonna trek. 🖖

[@rexthewarhorse7110]

Wonder if he knows the formula for transparent aluminum too 😅

[@electrickery]

Eyyy, Star Trek IV reference, with Scotty and the computer 😂🎉

[@RetroTechChris]

What a great tutorial! And how nice of you to pass this on to the community. You're simply great, Sean! 🎉🎉

[@ActionRetro]

Thanks Chris!

[@charleschamp9826]

1:17 Me when I'm about to drop the formula for transparent aluminum on an unsuspecting someone.

[@sbrazenor2]

Scotty is the obvious reference you were making from Star Trek IV - A Search For Whales. 🤣 I just came here for my internet points.

[@Dave01Rhodes]

One tip I picked up for cracking open these old macs… take the handle and chassis screws almost all the way out, then push on them to pop the two halves of the case apart.

[@anumeon]

Startrek IV reference,,, how quaint. :)

[@edmorris1437]

This was the computer I bought from all my summer job savings before heading off to university. I did have the same SystemSaver too. Within a few years I upgraded to a Duo210. Wild how quickly the technology advanced in those days. My daily driver laptop is still a 2012 MacBook Pro.

[@awgn70]

One solution I’ve used for 20 years for the screws in the handle: pull the pen tip out of a Bic Stick pen and shove a T 15 bit into the end. It’s the perfect length.

[@hv4329]

This was a fantastic video. Preserving computer history is such an important task (imo). I love vintage macs.

[@menelkir]

You have to use the keyboard, Scotty. 😂

[@RyanAumiller]

1:18 - This, this RIGHT here is why your channel is so damn good dude! So when are you going to find a motorola MW520 or 800 and install it in your XJ? That's the video I'm waiting for!

[@ActionRetro]

Hahaha

[@BrianJones-wk8cx]

Wish I was going to be at VCF-would have snatched it up! Great work, as always!

[@cast4V98]

Awesome video, Sean! Would you have any advice for how to add a fan to the Plus? Preferrably non-destructively? I'm thinking I might have to design and 3d print one of those attachments...

[@SenileOtaku]

Oh no, Sean, don't tempt me to be bringing back a classic Mac from VCF East. I'm thinking of bringing stuff down for the freebies table though (learned after last year I will need a hand truck to bring stuff from the parking lot to the show). Unfortunately we have a militaria show on Saturday, (also trying to sell off stuff there as well) so can't make it until Sunday.

[@RockRedGenesis]

"Um, Just use the Keyboard" "Um, How quaint!"

[@MichaelAStanhope]

Love the Star Trek IV reference!

[@ActionRetro]

The best of the movies!

[@kylek6922]

I love the Plus and Trek, especially The Voyage Home as all three of "us" were "born" the same year. That whole segment of the movie in Plexicorp was great to me, from the instant that Scotty said he'd traveled millions of miles, only to be corrected by McCoy was just fantastic to me from the first time I saw it when I was seven.

[@retropuffer2986]

Nice to see these wonderful machines being saved.

[@hardlyworgen71]

Thank you for showing the Kensington before I could ask what that bump on top of the computer was. :)

[@jsevakis]

As a kid who grew up with a IIGS, those Apple 3 1/2" floppy mechanisms make the most pleasant noises.

[@bikeskisail]

Absolutely unreal timing Sean, literally just inherited a Mac Plus with this exact problem

[@HoldandModify]

Scotty. At the plexiglass manager’s office. Star Trek IV. Using a Mac. I believe running a Hypercard program?

[@dimitrilivens9317]

Any idea where you can buy some of the parts like new rom and ram upgrades for this machine?

[@roxannes5455]

Love the reference with the mouse. "oh, a keyboard. how quaint." - Montgomery Scott Then he proceeds to punch up the structure of transparent aluminum at ludicrous speed.

[@RinoaL]

It's funny how a lot of people think it's the capacitors, but really it's just solder joints.

[@outtakontroll3334]

first computer i used. they used to rent one for me every month and a guy would deliver it in a roadie case and pick it up a week later. finally bought one, then a cx, supermac s700, quadra 950, beige g3, etc. LOTS of cash involved in the early days

[@Epicgamer_Mac]

I love videos like this! So satisfying to see a great piece of tech like this escape the landfill and get a repair no matter how large or small. Personally I’m not a massive fan of Linux so I feel a sense of satisfaction when you use Apple’s own System or Mac OS software lol. But that’s just my personal preference, I know you love it and I can certainly appreciate it as well. Just keep making your awesome videos!

[@panopolis8051]

Lucky! I was hoping for an easy fix like that, but the Mac Classic I recently restored needed a lot more work. Battery and capacitor leakage sure did a number on this one, but many hours later it works like new. Well, aside from the RTC chip being completely destroyed by the battery - any ideas how to replace that? I saw an ATTiny based replacement for the SE/30 but idk if that would work on the classic

[@geraldgutsueii3324]

1:17 star trek 4, right? not a big fan but I love the little old lady when Bones grows her a kidney.

[@RWBHere]

01:18 Scotty in the Star Trek movie 'The Voyage Home', whilst trying to show the guy how make transparent Aluminum. One of my other favourite moments is 'Not now Madeleine!'

[@lookitskazzy]

The minimum temp for solder to start to melt is like 360F. If the computer ever got that hot a cracked joint would be the least of your problems. Those joints cracking is more likely due to a combination of mechanical stress from the giant connector, low quality solder and low quality workmanship. I would personally suggest clearing the joints entirely and redoing them using fresh leaded solder. Also, Star Trek IV. 😅

[@redgopnik2227]

I always thought the issue with uncontrolled temps was thermal expansion putting strain on the joints

[@SteelSkin667]

Cracked solder joints aren't caused by the solder itself melting, but by fatigue caused by repeated thermal cycling over time. All of the elements in the system (components, component leads, PCB, the solder itself) have different coefficients of thermal expansion, so large thermal fluctuations will cause a lot of strain.

[@vicenary]

@@SteelSkin667Glad you wrote this so I didn't have to!

[@johnjakson444]

I still have my original FatMac which was upgraded to maybe 2MB and a built in scssi controller was bodged in with a 20MB HD. It wasn't booted for 20 years, about a year ago it did the bong thing and the monitor shows a single line of sorts, will apply this solder hack to see if it restores the video.2 fingers crossed

[@eDoc2020]

A single very bright line? If so start with the connectors for the CRT yoke.

[@sonic2000gr]

I have a working one (I serviced years ago to recap the analog board and remove the exploding RIFA caps). Belonged to a teacher of mine, he asked me what to get back when I was in high school (I had a TI-99/4A at the time and was really big on programming). He wanted to type maths and easily this was the only system that could do it. Many many years later he found it in storage and gave it to me.

[@nuclearmonster]

Hell yeah! I got a Mac plus recently and have been hoping for a guide. Now I’m hoping I don’t need to recap anything

[@jeffaulik3980]

Between our Rockford, IL, and Taipei, Taiwan plants, our company made almost all of the CRT's for these computers.

[@scottls]

The referance is to Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, when Scotty tries to interface with a similar Apple Computer the same way.

[@ChrisDreher]

Came to say the same thing. Great movie scene!

[@Metal_Maxine]

Could be worse, the Sinclair ZX80 didn't have fans or ventilation, Clive went with a printed-on ventilation grill. Also Star Trek: The One With Whales

[@shmehfleh3115]

Good to know. I have a Mac Plus that's working fine right now, but it might be worth it to reflow those solder joints. I just finished recapping an SE/30 motherboard that I then installed into an SE chassis. Every single electrolytic cap on that board had leaked, and the board smelled like rotten fish every time the hot solder hit it. But now it works great, and I got the fastest B&W Mac that Apple offered.

[@timothymurphy9733]

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home!

[@arubberroomwithrats]

action retro never fails to get the action on 😫

[@humanwaveform]

true and correct

[@yusef3132]

Can you do a detailed video on tigerbrew, please? Also, maybe separate videos on macports and/or fink would be cool. I dont see many detailed videos out there, and I'm sure many don't know about these utilities, let alone know how to use... I guess an Xcode video too, since tigerbrew and macports is dependent on. Not sure about fink, but assume so.... Hey, thanks for considering the subject at least....

[@georgegonzalez2476]

Also a problem is the connector pins for the deflection yoke. Those carry many amps and the solder joints often get crumbly.

[@K3NnY_G]

3:21 - still a mix of coarse and machine threads for funzies.

[@mor4y]

I had a mac plus, loved that thing in the early 90's :) The backup battery was a hard one to find though... I spent weeks cloning my 40mb external drive until it was exactly the same as my schools units by using a norton utilities boot disk, then snuck it in in my bag and swapped it for a 80mb unit that the school had on some of them. Got away with it too lol 😆 a great big scsi drive with the same footprint as the plus!

[@dfbess]

Well done, I'm not a Mac fan but I can still appreciate see the history preserved.

[@rager1969]

Heh heh, at the beginning of this video, I was thinking about that scene with Scotty, and pondered how he was able to touch typer and just how fast were they able to make transparent aluminum. And then, you picked up the mouse and talked into it. I guess you said something in the very beginning that suggested that to me.

[@onigvd77]

so the fix makes it all good for long time or just a little while? was expecting you to install some kind of fan in there

[@timrahto658]

Yay!! 10 bonus points to me!

[@DontGetHit648]

I bought a Mac Plus for 40 bucks with the exact same problem. Brought it home, spent 5 minutes resoldering, good as new

[@RoyNeeraye]

Hello, computer! A reference to British sitcom "The IT Crowd"

[@TaijanDean]

My favourite Mac of all!

[@joeturner7959]

Be nice to add 'Stepping Out II' from the Macintosh Garden. Mine had a Radius Accelerator, and a FPU. OH, and the sequel to The Dungeons of Doom, The Dungeon Revealed, and of course, Lode Runner. AsterRoids was good too, as was SpaceWard Ho!

[@RetroBytes265]

loved this video. hopefully i can get one soon in the future.

[@joshj88]

I like shuffle puck cafe. I hope running it with 256 greys helps on is 9 but it’s unlikely to run. I have mini vMac for that.

[@WilliamCChapin]

Interesting machine that appears to have seen some upgrades or parts swaps over time. Did the seller recall its evolution?

[@DexterInsomnia]

How nice, a Star Trek reference 1:19

[@JarrodCoombes]

@1:18 I don't get the reference, and I don't have time to look it up as I need to work out how to save some wales...

[@awgn70]

Hey, I have one of those add-on fans too!

[@Retroelectronic]

Ah, a fellow Trekkie!

[@frisbeepilot]

Is that yellow floppy disk a double-density or a high-density disk? If it's the latter that's a problem; I remember being told never to format a HD disk for a DD drive (720 kb in a PC, 800 kb in a Mac) because they'll end up being unreliable or something.

[@foxdavani4091]

Oh my god that screwdriver looks like the old dipsticks for oil in the car engines. Lol.

[@DavidStahlOLDHAPPyMACs]

Very Nice Sean someone will defiantly like it

[@jmvillwock]

Scene with Scotty trying to "reinvent" transpart Aluminum:) I want my 10 points:) LOL

[@bryans8656]

I like the easy fixes 🙂

[@Tennesseeroadster222]

Perhaps the professor could use your computer. Please. Computer... Computer! McCoy hands him the computer mouse Ah! Hello computer? Just use the keyboard. The keyboard. ...How quaint. Transparent aluminum? That's the ticket, laddie.

[@WolfTheDog]

You should add some heatsinks and a couple fans to the machine to keep it going longer.

[@leandrocosta3709]

I got 10 points for being a trekkie! First time it ever happened in my life! Woohoo!!!

[@TylerFurrison]

The "hello computer" came from Star Trek iirc

[@jarms40]

So, I purchased a Supermac/Radius Videospigot Newbus card for my Quadra 800. It was not expected to work, and it does not (although it is recognized by the Newbus). The system simply freezes when the Screenplay app initializes. If anyone knows someone with the skills to troubleshoot and repair it, please pass the info along. Thanks.

[@MurderMostFowl]

I appreciate that you warned people about the high voltage, but old CRTs can hold a charge for an extraordinarily long time… I recommend following the procedure to discharge it, no matter what, just to be safe

[@eDoc2020]

It's also good to note that you are more likely to have a charged CRT if it's _not_ working.

[@ForrestBobHD]

5th! Earliest I've been to a new upload! And well worth it too. Keep it up, man!

[@carltonleboss]

The Mac Plus also made vapourwave popular!

[@CubeAtlantic]

Those MacBooks are boosting-up good nostalgia they're nice.

[@waydegutman7339]

Floppy EMU, have to look that one up.

[@DPfen]

"Oh a keyboard...how quaint." ;)

[@andrewdupuis1151]

i use to have one it had lines going up down

[@bluefaolan]

Any reason why the Mac Classic would suddenly not have a working keyboard and mouse after sitting a for a year? Computer boots, everything seems to be functioning, but I can’t get the mouse to work, either plugged into the keyboard or directly into the port on the back.

[@eDoc2020]

The keyboard and mouse are _both_ broken? Probably bad ADB circuitry. If you're lucky it's a cracked solder connection on the board but it could also be a fried chip. This could potentially happen from static electricity when plugging something the keyboard in.

[@rager1969]

Oh, I thought for sure you were going to do a giveaway with that Mac.

[@Groudon185p]

Trek IV. Where's my points?!? I DIDN'T REALISE WE WERE ACCUMULATING THEM. I'M SO FAR BEHIND.

[@ActionRetro]

10 points

[@AlexDaDermahurr]

There's a special keybind you can do on startup that boots the Mac into a ROM based operating system

[@tylerdean980]

I doubt I'll ever own a Mac, but I would love to see a mini-itx PC case that was like this with an included modern display. How cool would that be? There's already a modern version of the keyboard. You just just install a modern OS that lets you do all the things you want, maybe running BSD or Linux with a Mac plus theme if you want that authenticity.

[@ToTheGAMES]

3:25 Same length screws, but not the same thread it seems!

[@verycarla67]

DUNGEON OF DOOM!!!! i LOVED that game! i spent so much time playing it on my Classic when i was in college. that and Mission: Thunderbolt. ah, i miss that little machine.

[@replikvltyoutube3727]

Is there a riscv emulator and Linux on Macintosh, like there is on NES?

[@BadKarma714]

I wish I could buy that computer.

[@CarlosOsuna1970]

Its very strange to see a Mac Plus without the "expanded keyboard" (Hated by Steve Jobs but demanded by the market) which includes a Numeric Keypad.

[@georgepetrakis7703]

Out of curiosity, have you ever fixed/restored a mac that had dead chips/capacitors/resistors etc.?

[@fishappy0_962]

Legend has it, Jobs' cooling policy still haunt us til this very day....