Macintosh SE/30
| Macintosh SE/30 | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Personal Computer |
| Released | January 16, 1986 |
| Discontinued | October 21, 1991 |
| Intro price | US$4,369 |
| CPU | Motorola 68030 @ 16 MHz |
| Memory | 1 MB RAM (expandable to 128 MB) |
| Storage | 1.44 MB 3.5" floppy drive, Internal SCSI HDD |
| Display | 9" monochrome CRT (512×342 pixels) |
| Sound | Monaural 8-bit, 22 kHz (4-voice) |
| Dimensions | 13.6" H × 9.6" W × 10.9" D |
| Weight | 19.5 lbs (8.8 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 6.0.3 – System 7.5.5 |
| Predecessor | Macintosh SE |
| Successor | Macintosh Classic |
| Codename | Green Jade, Fafnir |
| Model no. | M5119 |
The Macintosh SE/30 was introduced on January 19, 1989, as a powerful upgrade to the original Macintosh SE. It featured a significantly enhanced CPU, the Motorola 68030 running at 16 MHz, making it one of Apple's most powerful compact Macs. The SE/30 introduced support for up to 128 MB RAM, onboard expansion via the PDS slot, and included an internal 1.44 MB "SuperDrive" floppy disk drive and optional internal SCSI hard drive. The SE/30 was popular among power users and is still highly valued by vintage computer enthusiasts.
General Maintenance
[edit | edit source]For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, connector corrosion prevention, and voltage adjustments, refer to the dedicated Macintosh SE/30 General Maintenance page.
PCB Schematics & Service Manual
[edit | edit source]The Macintosh SE/30 consists of two main printed circuit boards: the Logic Board and Analog Board. Below are detailed schematics and the official Apple service manual for the Macintosh SE/30.
Apple Service Manual
[edit | edit source]
All of the Apple Service Manuals can be found on the Apple Service Source page.
Logic Board & Analog Board Schematics
[edit | edit source]| Logic Board | Analog Board |
|---|---|
Capacitor Replacement Guide
[edit | edit source]Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines for both the analog and logic boards can be found on the Macintosh SE/30 Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Retrobrite
[edit | edit source]Instructions on addressing case yellowing through Retrobrite treatment can be found on the Retrobrite page.
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing common issues such as no power, chime but no video, intermittent operation, Sad Mac errors, floppy drive problems, and SCSI hard drive maintenance is available on the Macintosh SE/30 Troubleshooting page.
Technical Details
[edit | edit source]System Architecture at a Glance
[edit | edit source]| Sub-system | Specification (Macintosh SE/30, Jan 1989) |
|---|---|
| CPU | Motorola 68030 @ 16.667 MHz (33.333 MHz ÷ 2) |
| FPU | Motorola 68882 @ 16.667 MHz (socketed, optional) |
| Bus width | 32-bit internal & memory bus • 24-bit I/O decode |
| ROM | 512 KB “IIcx-class” ROM SIMM — 32-bit clean, SCSI Mgr 4.3, Color QuickDraw |
| RAM | 1 MB POP (4 × 256 KB, 120 ns) • 8 × 30-pin SIMM sockets → 128 MB max |
| Video | 512 × 342 mono — dedicated 64 KB VRAM (no RAM steals)
Shift-register DMA @ 15.667 MHz |
| Sound | 8-bit PCM via VIA timer-PWM • 22 kHz → RC filter → LM380 amp |
| Storage | Apple FDHD (1.44 MB SWIM-II) • 40–80 MB 3.5″ SCSI HDD (standard) |
| Ports | ADB • DB-19 ext. floppy • DB-25 SCSI-1 • RS-422 Geo/SCC × 2 • 3.5 mm audio-out |
| Expansion | 68030 PDS (120-pin edge): 32-bit data, full 68030 signals, 10 MB s⁻¹ |
Memory Map (Physical)
[edit | edit source]| Range | Size | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| $0000 00 – $07FF FF | 8 MB | DRAM (Bank B, highest SIMMs) |
| $0800 00 – $0FFF FF | 8 MB | DRAM (Bank A, lowest SIMMs) |
| $4000 00 – $47FF FF | 512 KB | ROM SIMM (v7.0) |
| $5000 00 – $50FF FF | 64 KB | I/O Bank A — VIA 1/2, SCC, SWIM-II, ADB MCU, VBL PAL |
| $5800 00 – $58FF FF | 64 KB | SCSI NCR 53C80 regs & Glue |
| $5C00 00 – $5FFF FF | 256 KB | PDS / I/O Bank B (slot decode) |
| $9000 00 – $9000 FF | 256 B | VRAM shift register (mirrored) |
| $C000 00 – $FF FF FF | Mirrors / reserved |
- Frame-buffer:* 64 KB VRAM mapped sparsely; CPU writes via 32-bit latch @ $9000 00.
ROM Layout (512 KB “IIcx-class”)
[edit | edit source]| Offset | Size | Module |
|---|---|---|
| $4000 00 | 16 KB | 68030 exception vectors + Supervisor shell |
| $4004 00 | 64 KB | Color/Mono QuickDraw 1.3 (32-bit) |
| $4014 00 | 192 KB | Toolbox, Window/Menu/Finder Mgrs., SANE FP, Memory Mgr (32-bit) |
| $4044 00 | 80 KB | SWIM-II floppy, ASC sound, ADB, Egret support |
| $405E 00 | 96 KB | SCSI Mgr 4.3, Disk Cache, HFS/HFS+, Slot Mgr |
SCSI Sub-system
[edit | edit source]- NCR 53C80 8-bit controller — 5 MB s⁻¹ sync (2.0 MB s⁻¹ async typical)
- “Pseudo-DMA”: 68030 block-moves during DRQ handshake (≈1.15 MB s⁻¹ sustained)
Floppy / Mass-Storage
[edit | edit source]- SWIM-II ASIC → 1.44 MB MFM & 800 KB GCR, variable-speed
- Internal 50-pin SCSI HDD on shock-mounted sled (Apple 160 S, 180 S etc.)
Key I/O ICs
[edit | edit source]- 6522 VIA × 2 — timers, sound PWM, VIA 1 handshake to ADB MCU
- 8530 SCC — dual RS-422 serial (up to 230 kbps)
- SWIM-II floppy / IWM compat
- NCR 53C80 SCSI + PAL glue
- ADB “Egret” 68HC05 — keyboard/mouse, soft-power, PRAM battery, ADB bus
Sound Path
[edit | edit source]68030 → VIA Port A (8-bit sample) — VIA Timer 1 @ 22.254 kHz toggles Port B → PWM → RC filter → LM380 → 8-ohm speaker (or rear jack).
RAM Upgrade Notes
[edit | edit source]- Eight 30-pin SIMM sockets (two 32-bit banks).
- Accepts 256 KB, 1 MB, 4 MB, 16 MB SIMMs (80 ns recommended).
- 128 MB requires 8 × 16 MB parity/non-parity modules.
- Mode 32 / 32-bit enabler only needed for System 7.0 – 7.6.1 (Mac OS 8+ native 32-bit).
PDS Expansion
[edit | edit source]120-pin slot exposes full 68030 bus + interrupts/DMA. Common cards: DayStar FastCache, 040/‘030 accelerators, Ethernet, Radius Color Pivot.
Video Timing
[edit | edit source]| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pixel clock | 15.667 MHz (÷ 1) |
| Horizontal total | 704 px (512 active) |
| Vertical total | 370 lines (342 active) |
| Refresh rate | 60.15 Hz |
Hardware/Easter Facts
[edit | edit source]- First compact Mac with 32-bit clean ROM (no “dirty” 24-bit patches).
- Developer “jumper” JP13 forces SCSI disk mode for board diagnostics.
- Hidden chess tone: ⌘ + ⌥ + ⇧ + 8 plays a rising arpeggio from ROM.


