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Macintosh SE/30

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Macintosh SE/30
Macintosh SE/30
Specifications
ManufacturerApple Computer, Inc.
TypePersonal Computer
ReleasedJanuary 16, 1986
DiscontinuedOctober 21, 1991
Intro priceUS$4,369
CPUMotorola 68030 @ 16 MHz
Memory1 MB RAM (expandable to 128 MB)
Storage1.44 MB 3.5" floppy drive, Internal SCSI HDD
Display9" monochrome CRT (512×342 pixels)
SoundMonaural 8-bit, 22 kHz (4-voice)
Dimensions13.6" H × 9.6" W × 10.9" D
Weight19.5 lbs (8.8 kg)
OS / FirmwareSystem 6.0.3 – System 7.5.5
PredecessorMacintosh SE
SuccessorMacintosh Classic
CodenameGreen 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

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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

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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

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All of the Apple Service Manuals can be found on the Apple Service Source page.

Logic Board & Analog Board Schematics

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Macintosh SE/30 PCB Schematics
Logic Board Analog Board
Macintosh SE/30 Logic Board
File:MacintoshSE30 LogicBoard Schematic.pdf
Macintosh SE/30 Analog Board
Macintosh SE/30 Analog Board Schematic

Capacitor Replacement Guide

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Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines for both the analog and logic boards can be found on the Macintosh SE/30 Capacitor Replacement Guide page.

Retrobrite

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Instructions on addressing case yellowing through Retrobrite treatment can be found on the Retrobrite page.

Troubleshooting

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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

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System Architecture at a Glance

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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)

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Macintosh SE/30 Address Space
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”)

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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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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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

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  • 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

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120-pin slot exposes full 68030 bus + interrupts/DMA. Common cards: DayStar FastCache, 040/‘030 accelerators, Ethernet, Radius Color Pivot.

Video Timing

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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

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  • 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.