Does anyone know where I can buy a power supply for a Mac Performa 6214CD computer? If I get a used 6214 ,does anyone have a manual on how to install it, or, is there a company that can install it for me. I'm not really a computer repair person. Any help, direction or guidance is appreciated.
Blue M.
[Edited by Moderator]
I agree with the previous comments posted. Changing out the power supply in a Performa 6214 involves so much disassembly, that you've removed just about every component in the computer to access it. Just like a well-packed closet, the first thing in is the last thing out when it's emptied. Power supply replacement includes removal of the following: The plastic I/O panel on the rear of the computer, logic board, plastic case panels (front and top), top metal cover, hard drive security bracket, front panel control board, hard drive, CD-ROM drive, floppy drive, cooling fan, wiring harness, and the bracket supporting the cooling fan & monitor output card. Excluding the P/S, the chassis is essentially empty at that point. Considering the time involved, paying the labor charge for an independent repair shop would well exceed the value of the computer. Any used part that you could find would likely have had a lot of hours of use before being retired, with questionable remaining service life. Your Performa 6214 was made from the summer of 1995 to the summer of 1996, so finding reliable, used parts that are 25+ years-old isn't easy. An Apple Authorized Service Provider would likely decline the job, because that computer was designated as "Vintage" many years ago, when new parts were no longer being manufactured.
Assuming that the computer has always been stored in a climate-controlled environment, so that temperature extremes haven't damaged internal components, one of first things to check/replace when it won't start is the 4.5-volt alkaline battery on the motherboard. The motherboard is removed by sliding it out the rear. That battery is getting more difficult to find and the lack of demand means that any battery retailer that has it undoubtedly has old stock. Alkaline batteries don't have an infinite shelf life, so even one that hasn't been used could be partially-discharged, if it has been sitting in inventory for over 10 years. Additionally, once those batteries have completely discharged from extended drain (the computer has been unplugged for a long time), they have a tendency to leak. I've seen the damage caused by leaking alkaline solution on the motherboard's electronic components. Because that Performa's motherboard slides in and engages a long power & data connection strip, problems involving a bad connection there can also cause problems.
If you acquired a good, working 6214, I'd suggest that you just transfer your existing hard drive to it, rather than gutting both computers to transfer the power supply from one to the other. If your case plastics are in better cosmetic shape, they could be transferred as well.
I agree with the previous comments posted. Changing out the power supply in a Performa 6214 involves so much disassembly, that you've removed just about every component in the computer to access it. Just like a well-packed closet, the first thing in is the last thing out when it's emptied. Power supply replacement includes removal of the following: The plastic I/O panel on the rear of the computer, logic board, plastic case panels (front and top), top metal cover, hard drive security bracket, front panel control board, hard drive, CD-ROM drive, floppy drive, cooling fan, wiring harness, and the bracket supporting the cooling fan & monitor output card. Excluding the P/S, the chassis is essentially empty at that point. Considering the time involved, paying the labor charge for an independent repair shop would well exceed the value of the computer. Any used part that you could find would likely have had a lot of hours of use before being retired, with questionable remaining service life. Your Performa 6214 was made from the summer of 1995 to the summer of 1996, so finding reliable, used parts that are 25+ years-old isn't easy. An Apple Authorized Service Provider would likely decline the job, because that computer was designated as "Vintage" many years ago, when new parts were no longer being manufactured.
Assuming that the computer has always been stored in a climate-controlled environment, so that temperature extremes haven't damaged internal components, one of first things to check/replace when it won't start is the 4.5-volt alkaline battery on the motherboard. The motherboard is removed by sliding it out the rear. That battery is getting more difficult to find and the lack of demand means that any battery retailer that has it undoubtedly has old stock. Alkaline batteries don't have an infinite shelf life, so even one that hasn't been used could be partially-discharged, if it has been sitting in inventory for over 10 years. Additionally, once those batteries have completely discharged from extended drain (the computer has been unplugged for a long time), they have a tendency to leak. I've seen the damage caused by leaking alkaline solution on the motherboard's electronic components. Because that Performa's motherboard slides in and engages a long power & data connection strip, problems involving a bad connection there can also cause problems.
If you acquired a good, working 6214, I'd suggest that you just transfer your existing hard drive to it, rather than gutting both computers to transfer the power supply from one to the other. If your case plastics are in better cosmetic shape, they could be transferred as well.
Hi,
Do you know for sure that the power supply is faulty?
Probably best chances via an online auction site.
One may have to search the web for Performa 6200 series disassembly instructions. Can take some time to gain access to the power supply in order to replace it.
Warning: Do not do this yourself. This is work for someone with the necessary expertise. The power supply contains high-voltage circuits. Dangerous charges can remain in components even when the computer has been turned off. Do not try to open/repair the power supply.
Have you bought that computer or are you still shopping? If still shopping, PLEASE change your target model.The 62xx series were among most troublesome Mac ever sold.
It made the top of the list here:
https://lowendmac.com/2007/the-10-worst-macs-ever/
We had a Perf 6200 75mhz that, even when new, was easliy 50 percet slower than a 6100/60 that had a llot of miles. Bother the the sam am tof RAM but the 6200 alwaus felt cripples. It was so slow the an older version of MS excel that ram perfectlu on the 6100 was too slow to be usable on the 6200.
The 6200 is the only Mac of many that we own that we had to scrap.
Jan,
thanks for the advice, I was very nervous about attempting this & you're right not to mess with this on my own.
The unit does not turn on at all-
I Don't know if its just the battery or the power supply.Maybe I can obtain either a new battery or a new power supply and have a mac repair shop do the install. I will keep you posted & thank you again for the good advice and direction
BlueMoshuto
To avoid being completely negative:
We found our P6200 ran with more stability with the full complement of RAM installed: 64MB (2 x 32MB). Even 48MB (1 x 32MB and 1 x 16MB) was not as good. However, 64MB RAM still did not let it run Excel, even with the usual memory allocation edits we had to use in the day for most MS apps.
Where I can buy a power supply for a Mac Performa 6214CD computer?
