Month: September 2026

What happens when you connect a cutting-edge optical mouse from the early 2000s to a vintage Macintosh from 1984? This intriguing experiment reveals a surprising compatibility that combines decades of technology. In a recent video, the creator explores the feasibility of using the first-generation Logitech optical mouse (M-BJ69) with the original Macintosh models like the 128K, 512K, and Macintosh Plus. These systems utilize a straightforward 9-pin quadrature mouse interface, making the prospect of such an upgrade tantalizing.

The Search for Compatibility

While on the hunt for more affordable alternatives to the increasingly rare and expensive original Apple mice, the creator stumbled upon a forum post that hinted at the Logitech optical mouse’s potential compatibility with early Macintosh systems. The key to this compatibility lies in the optical sensor used in the mouse, the Agilent ADNS-2051, which conveniently provides quadrature outputs—exactly what these vintage Macs require. However, the challenge remained: no one had tested this theory, leaving the creator with a bold mission.

A Hands-On Approach

Determined to find out if this optical mouse could indeed work with a Macintosh, the creator invested less than $12 in a mouse, connector, and cable. With a bit of ingenuity, they disassembled the mouse to examine its internal wiring. By directly connecting the mouse to the Macintosh’s 9-pin port without the need for an Arduino, microcontroller, or protocol converter, they were able to bridge the gap between modern and retro technology.

The Results Are In

After wiring the connections, the moment of truth arrived: testing the modified mouse on the Macintosh. To the creator’s astonishment, the optical mouse functioned flawlessly with the vintage computer. This experiment not only highlights the ingenuity involved in retro computing but also showcases the potential for repurposing older hardware with newer technology, breathing new life into classic systems.

Conclusion

This fascinating project serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of retro computing and the innovative spirit of hobbyists who seek to make old technology work again. By successfully integrating a modern optical mouse with a classic Macintosh, the creator demonstrates that with a bit of creativity and hands-on experimentation, it’s possible to bridge the gap between past and present. For those interested in retro computers, electronics repair, and creative modifications, this project is a perfect example of how the old can still coexist with the new.

What happens when you wire an optical mouse from the early 2000s directly into a Macintosh from 1984? The original Macintosh 128K, 512K and Macintosh Plus use a simple 9-pin quadrature mouse interface. While looking for alternatives to increasingly old and expensive original Apple mice, I came across a forum post claiming that the first-generation Logitech optical mouse (M-BJ69) might be directly compatible.

Forum post: https://68kmla.org/bb/threads/cheap-usb-mouse-adapter-for-128k-512k-plus.35490/

The reason? Its Agilent ADNS-2051 optical sensor actually provides quadrature outputs — exactly what these early Macs are expecting. There was just one problem: I couldn't find anyone who had actually tried it. So naturally, I bought a mouse, connector and cable for less than $12, tore the mouse apart, figured out the connections and wired it directly to the Macintosh's 9-pin mouse port. No Arduino. No microcontroller. No protocol converter. Just a roughly 25-year-old optical mouse talking directly to a roughly 40-year-old Macintosh… and it actually works. In this video I go through the ADNS-2051, how the original Macintosh mouse interface works, the wiring, modifications, and the final test on the Mac.

SalvageGeek Retro computers • electronics repair • questionable modifications • making old crap work again

Watch on YouTube: A $12 Optical Mouse Upgrade for the Original Macintosh?!

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If you’re a fan of retro computing, you know that restoring vintage equipment can be a rewarding challenge. In a recent YouTube video, a devoted enthusiast took on the task of saving a Commodore 1802 monitor that arrived in a less-than-ideal condition—its main circuit board was snapped in half. Purchased as a parts unit from eBay, the goal was clear: could this classic piece of technology be revived? The journey of restoration began with some careful repairs and troubleshooting.

Repairing the Circuit Board

The first step in the restoration process involved carefully gluing the broken circuit board back together. This delicate operation required precision to ensure that the board could function effectively once reassembled. After securing the physical integrity of the board, attention turned to the electrical connections. The speaker took the time to meticulously reconnect the severed traces, which are essential for the proper flow of electricity throughout the circuit. This step is vital in any hardware repair, especially with older technology where components are often fragile.

Troubleshooting the Faults

With the circuit board reassembled, the next challenge was troubleshooting a persistent no-picture fault. This required a deeper investigation into the monitor’s components, leading to the discovery of a damaged transformer. Identifying such issues is crucial in the restoration process, as they can often be the root cause of malfunctioning equipment. Despite these setbacks, the speaker remained optimistic and focused on finding solutions to each problem encountered.

Success and Future Challenges

By the end of the video, viewers were treated to the exciting moment when the Commodore 1802 powered on successfully. The initial goal of salvaging the board was achieved, proving that with some dedication and skill, retro equipment can be brought back to life. However, the journey is not over yet. The monitor still presented a vertical-collapse fault that requires further attention, setting the stage for future videos in this restoration series.

Join the Adventure

This restoration of the Commodore 1802 is not just about fixing a monitor; it’s a celebration of vintage technology and a testament to the DIY spirit of the retro computing community. For those interested in following along with the full restoration saga, subscribing to the channel will keep you updated on the next steps. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, this journey highlights the satisfaction that comes from breathing new life into classic tech.

This Commodore 1802 arrived in its original box—with its main circuit board snapped in half.

I bought it on eBay as a parts unit, but I wanted to find out whether it could be saved. In this video, I glue the broken board back together, reconnect the severed traces, and troubleshoot a stubborn no-picture fault that leads to a damaged transformer.

By the end, we get our answer: the board is salvageable, and the monitor powers on again. There’s still a vertical-collapse fault to repair, though—that’s a job for the next video.

Subscribe to follow the rest of this Commodore 1802 rescue.

#Commodore #CRTRepair #RetroComputing

Watch on YouTube: Can I Save This Commodore 1802 With a Snapped Circuit Board?

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The Macintosh Plus, a beloved piece of computing history, is known for its robust design and innovative features for its time. However, one drawback of this vintage machine is its external SCSI port, which, unlike later models, does not supply power to external SCSI devices. In an exciting new modification, the creator of this video takes on the challenge of adding a powered SCSI port to the Macintosh Plus, greatly enhancing its usability with modern SCSI devices and adapters.

A Convenient Upgrade

This modification not only makes it easier to connect modern equipment without the hassle of separate power supplies but also breathes new life into the classic Macintosh Plus. The video walks viewers through the step-by-step process of upgrading the SCSI port, showcasing the technical skills required to perform such a modification. This upgrade serves as a perfect example of how vintage technology can be adapted for contemporary use, ensuring that these machines remain functional and relevant.

Floppy Drive Restoration

While performing the SCSI modification, the creator also takes the opportunity to address another common issue with the Macintosh Plus—the floppy drive. Over time, the internal mechanisms can become gummed up with old grease, leading to operational problems. Viewers are guided through the disassembly of the floppy drive, where old grease is meticulously removed, and the drive is re-lubricated to restore its original functionality.

Innovative Solutions

One of the standout moments in the video is the replacement of the notorious broken eject gear. Using 3D printing technology, the creator produces a new eject gear, demonstrating the intersection of retro computing and modern fabrication techniques. This innovative solution not only highlights the creativity involved in restoring vintage hardware but also underscores the growing accessibility of 3D printing for hobbyists and tech enthusiasts alike.

Testing and Reassembly

After completing both the SCSI modification and the floppy drive restoration, the creator meticulously tests the entire system to ensure everything is working properly before reassembly. This final step is crucial, as it confirms that the modifications have enhanced the Macintosh Plus’s performance and usability, allowing it to function seamlessly with both vintage and modern peripherals.

If you’re passionate about vintage computers, electronics repair, or simply enjoy the thrill of modifying collectible hardware, this video is a must-watch. It showcases not only technical expertise but also a deep appreciation for the Macintosh Plus and its place in computing history. Subscribe for more engaging content that dives into the world of retro computing and restoration projects!

The Macintosh Plus has an external SCSI port… but unlike some later Macs, it doesn't provide power for external SCSI devices. Let's fix that!

In this video I modify my Macintosh Plus to provide power through the external SCSI port, making it much more convenient to use with modern SCSI devices and adapters without needing a separate power supply.

While I had the Plus apart, I also tackled its floppy drive. The mechanism was cleaned, old grease was removed, everything was re-lubricated, and I replaced the infamous broken eject gear with a new 3D-printed one.

So this Macintosh Plus gets both a useful modern upgrade and some much-needed 1980s mechanical maintenance.

🔧 In this video: • Macintosh Plus external SCSI power modification • Floppy drive disassembly and cleaning • Removing old hardened grease • Re-lubricating the drive mechanism • 3D printing a replacement floppy eject gear • Testing everything after reassembly

If you're into vintage computers, electronics repair, restoration and questionable modifications to perfectly collectible hardware, subscribe for more!

#Macintosh #VintageMac #RetroComputing #MacintoshPlus #Apple #ComputerRepair #3DPrinting

Watch on YouTube: Giving the Macintosh Plus a Powered SCSI Port

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In the latest adventure of vintage computing restoration, a dedicated enthusiast takes on the challenge of reviving an Apple PowerBook 165c. This iconic device, which suffered from a dead backlight, damaged plastics, and troubling dark spots on the LCD, presented a formidable task. The restoration process began with a complete disassembly, allowing for a thorough examination and repair of the various issues plaguing this classic machine.

Repairing with Precision

One of the first steps in the restoration journey involved fixing broken plastic standoffs using UV resin, ensuring that the case would fit together properly once reassembled. Alongside this, the case itself received a much-needed cleaning, bringing back some of the original luster to the device. Additionally, the enthusiast tackled the technical side by recapping both the backlight dimmer and inverter boards, a crucial step for reviving the backlight functionality.

The Bright Side

The efforts paid off when the backlight was successfully restored, illuminating the display once more. However, the joy was short-lived as the next phase of the restoration revealed further complications. With a functioning backlight, multiple vertical lines in red, green, and blue became glaringly obvious on the screen, indicating an underlying issue with the LCD panel itself.

Diagnosing the Display Dilemma

In an attempt to resolve the new issue, the enthusiast recapped the LCD controller board, hoping that this would rectify the display lines. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the lines persisted, suggesting that the LCD panel was failing and would ultimately need to be replaced. This revelation serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of vintage electronics repair, where success is often accompanied by unforeseen challenges.

A Work in Progress

While the PowerBook 165c is not fully restored, significant progress has been made. The backlight is operational, the case has been cleaned and reassembled properly, and the overall usability of the device has improved. For now, the machine can function until a suitable replacement display is sourced. This restoration journey emphasizes the patience and persistence required in vintage computing repair, showcasing both the triumphs and the trials of bringing a classic device back to life.

Today I'm tearing into an Apple PowerBook 165c with a dead backlight, damaged plastics, and some suspicious dark spots in the LCD.

This one needed to come completely apart. Along the way I repair a bunch of broken plastic standoffs with UV resin, give the case a much-needed cleaning, and recap both the backlight dimmer and inverter boards.

The good news: the backlight works again!

The bad news: once I can actually SEE the display properly, it becomes obvious that the LCD has another problem — multiple vertical red, green, and blue lines running through the image.

I recap the LCD controller board hoping that will solve it, but unfortunately the lines remain. It looks like the LCD panel itself is failing and will eventually need to be replaced.

So this PowerBook isn't completely restored yet, but it's in much better shape than when I started. The backlight works, the case actually fits together properly again, the plastics cleaned up beautifully, and the machine is usable until I can track down a replacement display.

Sometimes that's just how vintage computer repair goes.

#Apple #PowerBook #PowerBook165c #VintageApple #RetroComputing #VintageComputer #ElectronicsRepair #ComputerRestoration

Watch on YouTube: This PowerBook 165c Restoration Did NOT Go to Plan

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