Editing Power Macintosh 6100

{{Infobox computer
| name         = Power Macintosh 6100
| image        = [[File:PowerMacintosh_6100.jpg]]
| caption      = Power Macintosh 6100
| manufacturer = Apple Computer, Inc.
| type         = Personal Computer
| release_date = March 14, 1994
| discontinued = January 3, 1995
| price        = US$1,820 – $2,350
| cpu          = PowerPC 601 @ 60 MHz
| memory       = 8 MB soldered (16 MB configuration adds two 4 MB SIMMs); expandable to 72 MB
| storage      = 160 MB or 250 MB SCSI hard drive
| display      = External, via HDI-45 DRAM-based video port (no VRAM fitted)
| os           = System 7.1.2 – Mac OS 9.1
| predecessor  = [[Macintosh Centris 610]]
| successor    = [[Power Macintosh 6200]]
| codename     = PDM (Piltdown Man)
| model        = M1596
}}
The '''Power Macintosh 6100''' is a desktop Macintosh computer based on the PDM (Piltdown Man) architecture, released on March 14, 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac/specs/powermac_6100_60.html |title=Power Macintosh 6100/60 Specs |publisher=EveryMac.com |access-date=2026-02-10}}</ref> It was one of the first Power Macintosh computers, featuring a PowerPC 601 processor running at 60 MHz.

The consumer version is the [[Macintosh Performa 6110CD|Performa 6110CD]] and related models, and the server version is the Workgroup Server 6150/60.

== Hardware Overview ==

=== Processor and Memory ===
The Power Macintosh 6100 uses a PowerPC 601 processor at 60 MHz with a 30 MHz system bus. It has a 32-bit processor with a 64-bit data path. The system includes 32K of L1 cache and supports optional 256K L2 cache.

RAM uses 72-pin SIMMs at 80 ns minimum speed. The system has 8 MB of onboard RAM and 2 SIMM slots (SIMMs must be installed in matching pairs). Maximum RAM is officially 72 MB, but can reach 136 MB with two 64 MB SIMMs plus the onboard memory. 640K of system RAM is dedicated to video function.

=== Storage ===
The system includes a 160 MB or 250 MB internal SCSI hard drive. A 2X CD-ROM drive is optional (standard in some configurations). A 1.44 MB floppy drive is standard.

=== Display ===
The system supports a single external display at 512×394 or 640×480 at 16-bit, or 832×624 at 8-bit. A second display can be added with an expansion video card.

=== Expansion ===
The system has a single 601 PDS or 7" NuBus slot (NuBus available with PDS-to-NuBus adapter M1402LL/A).

=== Networking ===
AAUI-15 Ethernet is standard. Two Geoport serial ports (printer and modem) are included.

=== Case Design ===
The 6100 uses the low-profile Macintosh Centris 610 case form factor.

== General Maintenance ==
For detailed maintenance practices, refer to the [[Power Macintosh 6100 General Maintenance|General Maintenance]] page (shared hardware with Performa 6100 series).

== Troubleshooting ==
For troubleshooting information, see the [[Power Macintosh 6100 Troubleshooting|Troubleshooting]] page.

== Capacitor Replacement Guide ==
For capacitor replacement guidelines, see the [[Power Macintosh 6100 Capacitor Replacement Guide|Capacitor Replacement Guide]].

== Service documentation ==

Apple's own service manual is hosted here as [[Power Macintosh 6100/ WS 6150 Service Source]]. It
gives the 6100/60 and WS 6150 as a '''PowerPC 601 at 60 MHz''' with built-in MMU and FPU and a 32K
on-chip cache, requiring system software 7.1.2 or later; an A/C line input of '''100–240 VAC RMS'''
single phase, automatically configured, at 50–60 Hz; '''132 W maximum continuous input, 201 W
peak''' excluding the monitor; a power supply DC output of '''86 W continuous'''; and the PRAM cell
threshold as '''replace below 3.2 V'''.<ref name="sspowermacintosh61">Apple Computer, ''Power Macintosh 6100/WS 6150'', Service Source, 160 pp, PDF distilled 2 January 1996. Hosted here as the wiki page linked above ([[:File:powermac_6100_series.pdf]]). Specifications chapter, and Additional Procedures — Battery Verification where a threshold is quoted.</ref>

Its Basics chapter prints the '''HDI-45 pinout''' along with the rear panel and logic board connector
maps — the HDI-45 pinout appears in only three Apple volumes (the 6100, 7100 and 8100) and is how you
work out what an AV monitor cable is actually carrying.<ref name="sspowermacintosh61" />

== See Also ==
* [[Macintosh Performa 6100]]
* [[Macintosh Performa 6110CD]]
* [[Power Macintosh 6100 DOS Compatible]]
* Power Macintosh 7100
* [[Macintosh Centris 610]]


== Apple service data ==

Apple's own figures, from the ''Power Macintosh 6100/WS 6150'' Service Source volume hosted on this
wiki.<ref name="ss6100">Apple Computer, ''Power Macintosh 6100/WS 6150'', Service Source. Hosted here as [[Power Macintosh 6100/ WS 6150 Service Source]] ([[:File:Powermac_6100_series.pdf]]). Specifications, Take Apart and Additional Procedures &mdash; Battery Verification chapters.</ref>

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:90%;"
! Item !! Apple's figure
|-
| Processor || PowerPC 601 at 60 MHz (6100/60, 6150) or 66 MHz (6100/66, 6150/66), with built-in MMU and FPU and '''32K of on-chip cache'''. The 60 MHz machines need system software 7.1.2 or later, the 66 MHz machines 7.5 or later
|-
| RAM || '''8 MB soldered on the board; expandable to 72 MB''' in two SIMM sockets. SIMMs must go in as a '''pair of the same size and speed''', 80 ns or faster, 72-pin, and must be '''noncomposite'''. The 16 MB configuration is the 8 MB soldered plus two 4 MB SIMMs
|-
| ROM || 4 MB, installed on a SIMM socket
|-
| VRAM || '''None.''' Video on the 6100/60, 6100/66, 6150 and 6150/66 is DRAM-based off the logic board; only the Power Macintosh AV card carries VRAM, 2 MB of it
|-
| Level 2 cache || Optional 256K on the 6100/60 and 6150; '''standard 256K on the 6100/66'''
|-
| Video port || One '''HDI-45''' DRAM-based video port for direct connection to Apple AudioVision monitors. With the included HDI-45 to DB-15 adapter it drives 12-, 13-, 14-, 15-inch portrait, 16- and 17-inch monitors. The AV card adds a DB-15 VRAM-based port good to 20- and 21-inch, plus one S-video/composite input and one output &mdash; '''only one monitor may be attached to the AV card at a time'''
|-
| Sound || 16-bit stereo in and out; sample rates 48, 44.1, 24 and 22.05 kHz; input/output line level '''1 V peak to peak'''; signal-to-noise ratio '''82 dB''' with no audible discrete tones; bandwidth 20 Hz–20 kHz (± 2 dB) at 44.1 kHz; THD+N '''less than 0.05%''' measured 20 Hz–20 kHz with a 1 V rms sine input
|-
| Serial || Two RS-232/RS-422 LocalTalk/GeoPort ports on '''mini DIN-9''' connectors, backward compatible with mini DIN-8
|-
| ADB || '''One''' ADB port, mini DIN-4; 500 mA maximum, three devices maximum
|-
| SCSI || One DB-25 port; up to six external devices, '''five when a CD-ROM is installed'''
|-
| Ethernet || One built-in AAUI-15 Ethernet port (printed "AUUI-15" in Apple's text)
|-
| Expansion || One internal slot taking either a processor-direct card or a '''7-inch NuBus''' card with the appropriate adapter. On AV models that slot is already filled by the Power Macintosh AV card
|-
| Electrical || 100–240 VAC RMS single phase, automatically configured, 50–60 Hz. '''132 W maximum continuous input, 201 W peak input''', not including the monitor; '''86 W continuous DC output'''
|-
| Case || Height 3.4 in. (85 mm), width 16.3 in. (415 mm), depth 15.6 in. (399 mm); 14.0 lb. (6.4 kg)
|-
| PRAM battery || '''Replace below 3.2 V'''. A lithium cell &mdash; neutralise any leakage with '''sodium bicarbonate''', never vinegar
|}

'''There is no VRAM in a non-AV 6100, so "replace the VRAM" is not a repair step on this machine.'''
A video fault on a plain 6100 is the logic board, the HDI-45 adapter or the monitor.<ref name="ss6100" />

On DOS Compatible models, Apple's symptom chart for a black screen at boot or errors in DOS is to remove
the DOS Compatibility card and '''check that the jumper is in the "SX" position, over the two right-most
prongs''', before replacing anything.<ref name="ss6100" />

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AppleVintage}}
[[Category:Apple Vintage Computers]]