Tanda17

Q: Looking for advice on fixing my Mac Plus

I have the original Mac Plus 1MB and it won't start up.  I get the gray screen with a Sad Face on it and the error code 01004F.

 

Anyone able to help diagnose what the problem could be?   It had been sitting  in my  closet for many years.

 

Everything checks out on power up but wont boot from floppy disk cause it goes right to this error.

 

Not sure if the Lithium battery is dead or not, Im assuming it may be. Would that have a part in this?

 

Any help would be appreciated.

null, Other OS, Mac Plus 1MB

Posted on Apr 21, 2016 12:21 PM

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Q: Looking for advice on fixing my Mac Plus

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  • by Jan Hedlund,

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Apr 22, 2016 1:51 PM in response to Tanda17
    Level 6 (9,869 points)
    Apr 22, 2016 1:51 PM in response to Tanda17

    >Everything checks out on power up but wont boot from floppy disk cause it goes right to this error.

     

    So, does this mean that no Sad Mac appears when powering on without a floppy disk in the floppy drive? If so, is there a floppy disk icon with a question-mark instead? Before that, was there a normal startup tone?

     

    Have you tested another appropriate startup floppy?

     

    >Not sure if the Lithium battery is dead or not, Im assuming it may be. Would that have a part in this?

     

    The Macintosh Plus uses a 4.5V alkaline battery. Generally speaking, a bad (logic board) battery could cause unexpected startup difficulties with some Macintosh computers. However, a Plus would normally boot OK even with a weak battery. An old/bad battery could leak, so remove it from the battery compartment.

  • by Tanda17,

    Tanda17 Tanda17 Apr 23, 2016 12:47 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Old Hardware
    Apr 23, 2016 12:47 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

    Thank you for your reply Jan.

     

    The Mac was last powered up ages ago and has been sitting in my closet since then.

     

    It did power up and boot properly from my Start Up floppy disk.  I have tried other start up disks with the same result.

     

    There is no floppy disk icon that appears, just the regular start up ding, then the Sad Mac face with the error code 01004F flashing below it.

  • by Jan Hedlund,

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Apr 23, 2016 3:07 PM in response to Tanda17
    Level 6 (9,869 points)
    Apr 23, 2016 3:07 PM in response to Tanda17

    Hi,

     

    Unfortunately, I cannot find a description of that exact Sad Mac error code. A hardware-related problem would be the assumption. Just guessing here, but since the issue may have appeared during storage, cable or memory module contact corrosion/oxide could possibly be one cause. Bad electrolytic capacitors another.

     

    A word of warning: Please note that all work inside a compact Mac is dangerous, and must be performed by an expert only, because of the high-voltage circuits involved. Dangerous charges can remain in various components (CRT, capacitors, etc) for a long time after the computer has been switched off and disconnected from the mains.

  • by JustSomeGuy,

    JustSomeGuy JustSomeGuy Apr 24, 2016 9:26 PM in response to Tanda17
    Level 3 (586 points)
    Apr 24, 2016 9:26 PM in response to Tanda17

    It's a ROM test failure:
    http://www.gla.ac.uk/~gwm1h/Error_Codes/Sad_Mac_Codes.html

     

    After the initial 01, the next 4 digits are meaningless - hence you can't find a reference to those exact digits.  The solution is to re-seat the ROM chips/modules (if they're socketed - it's been a while since I cracked open a Mac Plus) and see if the problem returns.

  • by Tanda17,

    Tanda17 Tanda17 Apr 25, 2016 1:47 PM in response to JustSomeGuy
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Old Hardware
    Apr 25, 2016 1:47 PM in response to JustSomeGuy

    Thanks for that update.

     

    I re-seated the 4 modules of ROM on the motherboard but didn't change a thing.

     

    I was thinking that would have fixed the issue.

     

    Do I need all 4  ROM modules, or can I remove a couple and try to start up with the minimum amount?

     

    My thinking is that  a module may be defective and causing this errror.

     

    Thanks Again,

  • by Ushio,

    Ushio Ushio May 6, 2016 5:38 AM in response to Tanda17
    Level 1 (12 points)
    May 6, 2016 5:38 AM in response to Tanda17

    You have re-seated de RAM modules, not de ROM. These are just 2, and they are in the middle of the board.IMG_6168.jpg

  • by Tanda17,

    Tanda17 Tanda17 May 6, 2016 6:30 AM in response to Ushio
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Old Hardware
    May 6, 2016 6:30 AM in response to Ushio

    Thank you for that update.

     

    I will give it a try.