Re: Macintosh Performa 630CD

[Adam Tauno Williams <awilliam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>well i could possibly help with the performa.... and talk about sparc stuff
>:) i have a SSIPC that i could put linux on again.. as for other archs
>umm.... i have some DECstations and a sun 3/60 if anyone else wants to take
>a whack at it... i really dont have much time.... (DECstations were DEC mips
>workstations......)

I'd be intersted at trying my hand at a DECstation,  they look pretty interesting and I have a couple of serial terminals lying about (apparently needed to install an OS).  Do you know the model numbers/specs?

MIPs Linux Links:
http://web.inter.nl.net/users/schnecke/mips/
ftp://bolug.uni-bonn.de/pub/mips/
http://www.xs4all.nl/~vhouten/mipsel/install.html
http://decstation.unix-ag.org/

The port of Linux to sun3 (thus the 3/60) is at:
http://www.netppl.fi/~pp/sun3/

It is some derivative of the 68000 variant of the kernel and seems a little iffy.

>>I've had a Macintosh Performa 630CD dropped in my lap. It appears that it
>>might have a dead power supply in it as when power is applied to it,
>>absolutely nothing happens.

I talked someone into giving me their old Performa just yesterday (wierd), but
don't know what model it is.  Supposedly it works.  A search on the Internet
found lots of people using Linux on this machine class and a fair amount of
documentation.

>>I'm kind of wondering if it be worth fixing this relic (build in 1994!)
>>and throwing Linux on it for 
kicks. What really got me thinking on this is
>>message from Adam several days ago mentioning that some people had asked
>>about a presentation on installing Linux on "alternative" hardware
>>(Aalpha, Mac, etc.) I figured that since I can get this thing real cheap 
>>it might be worth playing with it.
>>My problem is, I don't have a clue about Apples! I haven't messed with
>>one since the days of the Apple IIE !!!!! Without any Apple experience I
>>don't even know what voltages to look for on the power supply to see if it
>>is even putting anything out. Also, does anyone know of a source for
>>buying parts for it?

I'd think e-bay would be your best bet,  but I can hook a scope up to mine
when I get it and let you know.  Or you can borrow this one if I do a DEC
box.

>>If I can kick this thing in the rear and get it to work, maybe I can
>>hook up with someone else and we can do a duel presentation on 
>>"Alternative" hardware for Linux.
>>Any ideas? Takers?

Sounds like a great idea.