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Rewrite from SE Service Source and GtMFH: infobox photo of an actual SE FDHD (Commons), successor Classic, OS 6.0.3+; remove wrong 'first compact with HD drive' claim (SE/30 came first); add upgrade kit part numbers and procedure, board identification; drop 'no rail tolerance' claim
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{{Infobox computer
{{Infobox computer
| name        = Macintosh SE FDHD
| name        = Macintosh SE FDHD
| image        = [[File:Macintosh_SE.jpg]]
| image        = [[File:Macintosh SE FDHD.jpg|260px|frameless]]
| caption      = Macintosh SE FDHD
| caption      = Macintosh SE FDHD, with the "FDHD" badge under the name (All About Apple museum, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)
| manufacturer = Apple Computer, Inc.
| manufacturer = Apple Computer, Inc.
| type        = All-in-one Personal Computer
| type        = Personal computer
| release_date = August 1, 1989
| release_date = 1 August 1989
| discontinued = October 15, 1990
| discontinued = 15 October 1990
| price        = US$3,700
| price        = US$3,700
| cpu          = Motorola 68000 @ 7.83 MHz
| cpu          = Motorola 68000 at 7.8336 MHz
| memory      = 1 MB RAM (expandable to 4 MB)
| memory      = 1 MB, expandable to 4 MB (30-pin SIMMs, 150 ns or faster)
| storage      = 20 MB or 40 MB SCSI hard drive
| rom          = 256 KB
| display      = 9" monochrome CRT (512×342 pixels)
| storage      = 1.4 MB SuperDrive; optional second floppy drive, or 20 or 40 MB internal SCSI hard disk
| sound        = Four-voice, 8-bit, 22 kHz sampling; output for an external amplifier
| display      = 9-inch monochrome CRT, 512 × 342 pixels
| dimensions  = 13.6" H × 9.6" W × 10.9" D (34.5 × 24.4 × 27.6 cm)
| sound        = Four-voice, 8-bit D/A conversion, 22 kHz sampling
| expansion    = Macintosh SE expansion slot, 96-pin Euro-DIN
| power        = 90–140 V AC or 170–270 V AC, 47–63 Hz, 100 W maximum
| dimensions  = 13.6 × 9.6 × 10.9 in (34.5 × 24.4 × 27.6 cm)
| weight      = 17–21 lb (7.7–9.5 kg), depending on drives fitted
| weight      = 17–21 lb (7.7–9.5 kg), depending on drives fitted
| os          = System 3.3 – 7.5.5
| os          = System 6.0.3 – System 7.5.5
| predecessor  = [[Macintosh SE]]
| predecessor  = [[Macintosh SE]]
| successor    = [[Macintosh SE/30]]
| successor    = [[Macintosh Classic]]
| model        = M5011
| model        = M5011
}}
}}
The '''Macintosh SE FDHD''' (FDHD = Floppy Disk High Density) is a compact Macintosh computer released on August 1, 1989.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_classic/specs/mac_se_fdhd.html |title=Macintosh SE FDHD Specs |publisher=EveryMac.com |access-date=2026-02-10}}</ref> It was the first compact monochrome Macintosh to include a high-density 1.44 MB "SuperDrive" floppy disk drive, replacing the 800K drive found in the original [[Macintosh SE]].
The '''Macintosh SE FDHD''' is the [[Macintosh SE]] with Apple's 1.4 MB high-density floppy drive (FDHD, "floppy drive high density", later sold as the SuperDrive). It replaced the 800 KB SE on 1 August 1989 and was itself replaced on 15 October 1990, the day the [[Macintosh Classic]] was introduced.<ref name="lem">{{cite web |url=https://lowendmac.com/1987/mac-se/ |title=Mac SE |publisher=Low End Mac |access-date=2026-09-30}} The SE page also covers the FDHD: introduction and discontinuation dates, order number M5011.</ref> EveryMac gives the price as US$3,700 and the model number as M5011.<ref name="em">{{cite web |url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_classic/specs/mac_se_fdhd.html |title=Macintosh SE FDHD Specs |publisher=EveryMac.com |access-date=2026-09-30}}</ref>


The SE FDHD shares the same chassis and overall design as the standard SE but incorporates the updated disk drive and ROM to support high-density floppy disks.
Apart from the drive, its controller and its ROMs, the FDHD is the same machine as the SE: same case, analogue board, power supply, memory rules and service manual. The [[Macintosh SE/30]], introduced in January 1989, had already brought the high-density drive to the compact Macs.<ref name="lem30">{{cite web |url=https://lowendmac.com/1989/mac-se30/ |title=Mac SE/30 |publisher=Low End Mac |access-date=2026-09-30}}</ref>


== Hardware Overview ==
== What changed from the SE ==


=== Processor and Memory ===
* The SWIM (Super Woz Integrated Machine), a development of the IWM, replaces it as the floppy controller, and the FDHD drive reads, writes and formats 400 KB, 800 KB and 1.4 MB disks.<ref name="gtmfh">Apple Computer, ''Guide to the Macintosh Family Hardware'', 2nd edition, Addison-Wesley, 1990, Chapter 1, p. 21. Hosted here: [[:File:Apple Guide to the Macintosh Family Hardware 2nd Edition 1990.pdf]].</ref>
The SE FDHD uses a Motorola 68000 processor running at 7.83 MHz with a 16-bit data path. It ships with 1 MB of RAM and can be expanded to 4 MB using four 30-pin SIMM slots. RAM must be installed in matching pairs.
* New ROMs support the drive. System 6.0.3 or later is required; with older software the SE mistakes the high-density drive for an 800 KB mechanism.<ref name="ssse">Apple Computer, ''Macintosh SE'' Service Source (126 pp.), hosted here as [[:File:Macintosh SE.pdf]] (see [[Macintosh SE Service Source]]). Specifications PDF pp. 6–13; Upgrades, 1.4 MB Drive Upgrade, PDF pp. 87–95; Take Apart, floppy drives, PDF pp. 55–59; Additional Procedures, Battery Verification PDF p. 98 and Identifying SE Logic Boards PDF pp. 106–111.</ref>
* The front bezel carries a high-density drive label, which Apple says may read "FDHD", "1.4 MB" or "SuperDrive".<ref name="ssse" />


=== Storage ===
An older SE with its original ROMs cannot use high-density disks, but can use an FDHD drive with 800 KB disks.<ref name="lem" />
The system includes a 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy disk drive that can read and write both 800K and 1.44 MB disks. Internal hard drive options include 20 MB or 40 MB SCSI drives.


=== Display ===
== Identifying an FDHD logic board ==
The built-in 9" monochrome CRT displays a resolution of 512×342 pixels.


=== Expansion ===
Apple's rule for choosing an exchange logic board:<ref name="ssse" />
Like the standard SE, the FDHD features an SE PDS (Processor Direct Slot) for expansion cards such as accelerators or Ethernet adapters.


== General Maintenance ==
* battery in a holder: the machine shipped with the 1.4 MB drive, so use board 661-0536;
For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, connector corrosion prevention, and voltage adjustments, refer to the dedicated [[Macintosh SE General Maintenance|General Maintenance]] page.
* soldered battery with an IWM (disk controller not marked 344-0062): an 800 KB SE, board 661-0526;
* soldered battery with a SWIM (344-0062): an SE upgraded with the kit below; use 661-0526 and move the customer's SWIM and ROMs across.


== Troubleshooting ==
== The 1.4 MB drive upgrade ==
A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing no power, chime but no video, intermittent operation, Sad Mac errors, and floppy drive problems is available on the [[Macintosh SE Troubleshooting|Troubleshooting]] page.


== Capacitor Replacement Guide ==
Apple's SuperDrive Upgrade Kit for the SE contains two ROMs, a SWIM, an audio extension cable with a ferrite bead to reduce interference, the 1.4 MB drive, system software, two labels and a return form. The procedure:<ref name="ssse" />
Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines can be found on the [[Macintosh SE Capacitor Replacement Guide|Capacitor Replacement Guide]] page.


== Apple service data ==
# Remove the cover, discharge the CRT, and remove the video board, the hard disk or upper floppy drive, the logic board and the lower floppy drive. See [[CRT Discharge Procedure]].
# With an IC extractor, remove the IWM and the two ROMs.
# Fit the SWIM (344-0062) at D8, the high ROM (342-0701) at D6 and the low ROM (342-0702) at D7, each with its notch towards the RAM SIMMs.
# Fit the 1.4 MB drive as the lower drive, then refit the logic board, the upper drive, the video board and the cover.
# Put the high-density label next to the lower drive slot, install System 6.0.3 or later, and run diagnostics.
# Fit the audio extension cable, ferrite end towards the audio jack, between the audio cable and the rear audio jack.


Apple's own figures for the Macintosh SE, which cover the FDHD, from the Service Source volume hosted on
Pina records one self-inflicted fault: an SE that shows a black-and-white checkerboard with no startup sound immediately after this upgrade has a reversed or misplaced ROM or controller chip at D6, D7 or D8.<ref name="dms">Larry Pina, ''The Dead Mac Scrolls'', Peachpit Press, 1992, p. 174. Hosted here: [[:File:The Dead Mac Scrolls 1992.pdf]].</ref>
this wiki.<ref name="ssse">Apple Computer, ''Macintosh SE'', Service Source. Hosted here as [[Macintosh SE Service Source]] ([[:File:Macintosh_se.pdf]]). Specifications, Adjustments and Additional Procedures &mdash; Battery Verification chapters.</ref>


<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
Apple recommends dust shields on all 1.4 MB drives. Replacement drives ship with one fitted; clean an existing drive before adding a shield.<ref name="ssse" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:90%;"
! Item !! Apple's figure
|-
| Processor || Motorola 68000 at '''7.83 MHz''' &mdash; from a 15.6672 MHz master oscillator, halved. The "8 MHz" usually quoted is a rounding
|-
| RAM || 1 or 2 MB, expandable to 4 MB
|-
| ROM || '''256K'''
|-
| PRAM || 256 bytes; CMOS custom chip with a '''seven-year lithium battery'''; '''replace below 2.8 V'''
|-
| Storage || '''1.4 MB floppy drive'''; optional second internal and external floppy; optional 20 or 40 MB hard drive
|-
| Expansion || Macintosh SE expansion slot, '''96-pin Euro-DIN'''
|-
| SCSI / ADB / serial || 50-pin internal and DB-25 external SCSI; '''two''' ADB connectors; two RS-232/RS-422 serial ports at 230.4 Kbaud, mini DIN-8
|-
| Sound || Four-voice, 8-bit digital-to-analogue conversion at a 22 kHz sampling rate
|-
| Line voltage || '''90–140 VAC; 170–270 VAC''', 47–63 Hz
|-
| Maximum power || '''100 W'''
|-
| Case || 13.6 × 9.6 × 10.9 in. (34.5 × 24.4 × 27.6 cm); '''17–21 lb. (7.7–9.5 kg)'''
|-
| Adjustments || '''Yoke''' and '''Video''' only &mdash; no voltage adjustment and no rail-tolerance table
|}


Apple's Upgrades chapter covers the '''1.4 MB drive upgrade''' for an existing 800K machine, and notes that
== Specifications ==
'''all 1.4 MB floppy drives need the drive shields''' &mdash; a detail easily lost when swapping a drive
into an older SE.<ref name="ssse" />


The PRAM cell is '''lithium''': Apple warns it "could explode" if handled or discarded improperly, and the
Apple's SE Service Source describes the FDHD machine; its specification pages list a 1.4 MB floppy drive.<ref name="ssse" /> The full table is on [[Macintosh SE#Specifications]]. The PRAM battery threshold is the SE's: replace the cell if it reads below 2.8 V.<ref name="ssse" />
right neutraliser for leakage is '''sodium bicarbonate''', not vinegar. Vinegar is correct only on the
'''4.5 V alkaline''' packs in the Macintosh 128K, 512K and Plus.


== See Also ==
== Maintenance and repair ==
 
The FDHD shares its maintenance, troubleshooting and capacitor pages with the SE:
 
* [[Macintosh SE General Maintenance]]
* [[Macintosh SE Troubleshooting]]
* [[Macintosh SE Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Macintosh SE Memory Upgrade Guide]]
 
== See also ==
* [[Macintosh SE]]
* [[Macintosh SE]]
* [[Macintosh SE/30]]
* [[Macintosh SE/30]]
* [[Macintosh Classic]]


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />


{{Navbox-AppleVintage}}
[[Category:Apple Vintage Computers]]
[[Category:Apple Vintage Computers]]
[[Category:Compact Macintosh]]
[[Category:Compact Macintosh]]
{{Navbox-AppleVintage|state=collapsed}}

Revision as of 17:40, 30 September 2026

Macintosh SE FDHD
Macintosh SE FDHD, with the "FDHD" badge under the name (All About Apple museum, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Specifications
ManufacturerApple Computer, Inc.
TypePersonal computer
Released1 August 1989
Discontinued15 October 1990
Intro priceUS$3,700
CPUMotorola 68000 at 7.8336 MHz
Memory1 MB, expandable to 4 MB (30-pin SIMMs, 150 ns or faster)
Storage1.4 MB SuperDrive; optional second floppy drive, or 20 or 40 MB internal SCSI hard disk
Display9-inch monochrome CRT, 512 × 342 pixels
SoundFour-voice, 8-bit D/A conversion, 22 kHz sampling
ROM256 KB
ExpansionMacintosh SE expansion slot, 96-pin Euro-DIN
Power90–140 V AC or 170–270 V AC, 47–63 Hz, 100 W maximum
Dimensions13.6 × 9.6 × 10.9 in (34.5 × 24.4 × 27.6 cm)
Weight17–21 lb (7.7–9.5 kg), depending on drives fitted
OS / FirmwareSystem 6.0.3 – System 7.5.5
PredecessorMacintosh SE
SuccessorMacintosh Classic
Model no.M5011

The Macintosh SE FDHD is the Macintosh SE with Apple's 1.4 MB high-density floppy drive (FDHD, "floppy drive high density", later sold as the SuperDrive). It replaced the 800 KB SE on 1 August 1989 and was itself replaced on 15 October 1990, the day the Macintosh Classic was introduced.[1] EveryMac gives the price as US$3,700 and the model number as M5011.[2]

Apart from the drive, its controller and its ROMs, the FDHD is the same machine as the SE: same case, analogue board, power supply, memory rules and service manual. The Macintosh SE/30, introduced in January 1989, had already brought the high-density drive to the compact Macs.[3]

What changed from the SE

  • The SWIM (Super Woz Integrated Machine), a development of the IWM, replaces it as the floppy controller, and the FDHD drive reads, writes and formats 400 KB, 800 KB and 1.4 MB disks.[4]
  • New ROMs support the drive. System 6.0.3 or later is required; with older software the SE mistakes the high-density drive for an 800 KB mechanism.[5]
  • The front bezel carries a high-density drive label, which Apple says may read "FDHD", "1.4 MB" or "SuperDrive".[5]

An older SE with its original ROMs cannot use high-density disks, but can use an FDHD drive with 800 KB disks.[1]

Identifying an FDHD logic board

Apple's rule for choosing an exchange logic board:[5]

  • battery in a holder: the machine shipped with the 1.4 MB drive, so use board 661-0536;
  • soldered battery with an IWM (disk controller not marked 344-0062): an 800 KB SE, board 661-0526;
  • soldered battery with a SWIM (344-0062): an SE upgraded with the kit below; use 661-0526 and move the customer's SWIM and ROMs across.

The 1.4 MB drive upgrade

Apple's SuperDrive Upgrade Kit for the SE contains two ROMs, a SWIM, an audio extension cable with a ferrite bead to reduce interference, the 1.4 MB drive, system software, two labels and a return form. The procedure:[5]

  1. Remove the cover, discharge the CRT, and remove the video board, the hard disk or upper floppy drive, the logic board and the lower floppy drive. See CRT Discharge Procedure.
  2. With an IC extractor, remove the IWM and the two ROMs.
  3. Fit the SWIM (344-0062) at D8, the high ROM (342-0701) at D6 and the low ROM (342-0702) at D7, each with its notch towards the RAM SIMMs.
  4. Fit the 1.4 MB drive as the lower drive, then refit the logic board, the upper drive, the video board and the cover.
  5. Put the high-density label next to the lower drive slot, install System 6.0.3 or later, and run diagnostics.
  6. Fit the audio extension cable, ferrite end towards the audio jack, between the audio cable and the rear audio jack.

Pina records one self-inflicted fault: an SE that shows a black-and-white checkerboard with no startup sound immediately after this upgrade has a reversed or misplaced ROM or controller chip at D6, D7 or D8.[6]

Apple recommends dust shields on all 1.4 MB drives. Replacement drives ship with one fitted; clean an existing drive before adding a shield.[5]

Specifications

Apple's SE Service Source describes the FDHD machine; its specification pages list a 1.4 MB floppy drive.[5] The full table is on Macintosh SE#Specifications. The PRAM battery threshold is the SE's: replace the cell if it reads below 2.8 V.[5]

Maintenance and repair

The FDHD shares its maintenance, troubleshooting and capacitor pages with the SE:

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mac SE, Low End Mac—link(accessed 2026-09-30) The SE page also covers the FDHD: introduction and discontinuation dates, order number M5011.
  2. ↑ Macintosh SE FDHD Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-09-30)
  3. ↑ Mac SE/30, Low End Mac—link(accessed 2026-09-30)
  4. ↑ Apple Computer, Guide to the Macintosh Family Hardware, 2nd edition, Addison-Wesley, 1990, Chapter 1, p. 21. Hosted here: File:Apple Guide to the Macintosh Family Hardware 2nd Edition 1990.pdf.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Apple Computer, Macintosh SE Service Source (126 pp.), hosted here as File:Macintosh SE.pdf (see Macintosh SE Service Source). Specifications PDF pp. 6–13; Upgrades, 1.4 MB Drive Upgrade, PDF pp. 87–95; Take Apart, floppy drives, PDF pp. 55–59; Additional Procedures, Battery Verification PDF p. 98 and Identifying SE Logic Boards PDF pp. 106–111.
  6. ↑ Larry Pina, The Dead Mac Scrolls, Peachpit Press, 1992, p. 174. Hosted here: File:The Dead Mac Scrolls 1992.pdf.


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