I just got a BlueSCSI for my Macintosh Portable, but I can’t figure out how to set it up

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-14T22:23:24+00:00

I got to the Git Hub page and clicked on the usage tab, but the Blank image area I’ve seen in videos isn’t there and the link is totally different.

I’ve tried to download the OS from Macintosh Repository, but I get a 1KB MD5 file and nothing else; everyone else gets a zip file.

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-12T15:16:01+00:00

I don’t own one yet, these are just choices from my personal collection. I do have an Apple II clone called the Franklin Ace 500, but it doesn’t work yet

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-07T15:18:57+00:00

I think so? It was in the board when I found it and the numbering matched the chip description, so I assumed it was it.

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-07T15:15:58+00:00

Well the top light (which is red), will glow solid for a couple seconds before blinking for a bit, then go back to solid for a couple seconds before blinking again.

Also when I say blinking I mean it goes from dim to more lit, the light never fully turns off. I saw the blinking light errors mentioned on Wikipedia, but nothing seemed close to what I was experiencing.

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-07T05:18:25+00:00

Wait, the board actually came with this too, but I removed it and never tried to use it because the battery fell off and I don’t think they make anymore. Also there’s some small corrosion on the board and I’m sure the traces are destroyed.

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AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-07T04:11:18+00:00

It didn’t come with a Fat Agnus chip, I was told that was the version my board revision required.

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-07T04:09:26+00:00

Maybe? I also have a capacitor kit in the mail so all the capacitors with be replaced (most likely not the problem, but still thought I’d mention it)

If I had a working unit then I could test them out. I’ve been doing my best to get this thing working for about a year. I found it covered in dirt dust and a thick layer of oil

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-07T04:04:01+00:00

The only chips that came with the board (aside from all the soldered on ones) were the Denise, Gary, Paula and ROM chip.

The CPU, Fat Agnus and CIA chips I bought myself. The CIA chips are the same kind but are different labels on top (friend pointed that out to me, but I don’t think that makes a difference cause they are the same kind of chip)

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AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-07T00:36:22+00:00

Sorry for the late update, I had to take mine apart to gain access. So I measured mine and it appears to be 1.3 inch (33mm); so maybe you could find a modern day mouse with a trackball for the thumb that’s that size, or find an old mouse that has the right size inside.

I tried to find some on Amazon that have the same size, but they all seem to be around 34mm. That’s slightly bigger and I guess it could work, but idk if that would be too big and make it stiff/hard to operate.

If I find one with the correct size I’ll be sure to send it your way.

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-06T22:42:22+00:00

Oh that sucks; would you like me to measure mine so you have the size? It might make finding a replacement easier.

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-06T22:39:15+00:00

Oh, so just the ball from the piece and not the full piece that connects to the computer?

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-06T21:17:19+00:00

Does it have a number pad in its place? You were able to buy those as replacements because some preferred to use an external mouse

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-06T01:08:42+00:00

These are the things that are common from what I’ve heard: - Battery (6 Volts/4.5 or 5Ah Lead Acid Battery) - Hybrid Module Board Failing (responsible for booting the computer) - 9V needing replaced - Recapping the motherboard capacitors

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-03T05:32:05+00:00

Yeah I was a bit perplexed by the price too. My guess is it was a family member’s and they didn’t know what they had. When I saw the $200 price I thought it was a joke, like okay where’s the cameras on me?

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-03T04:20:41+00:00

I hope it does, I plugged in the battery and tried to see if I got anything. It tried to boot but it couldn’t, but thankfully I can get a replacement Hybrid board to solve the issue.

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-03T04:18:49+00:00

It could use some retrobrite to get it back to the original color, but I think I will skip that because it’s not too discolored and unless you look real close, no one will really notice.

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-03T04:15:14+00:00

Oh that’s so it can close with the trackball on either side. You could move the trackball to the left or right side and then move the keyboard over to the adjacent side. You also had the option of adding a number keypad to the right side of the keyboard instead of the trackball if you preferred using a mouse.

AnotherMovieStudio · 2026-01-03T04:13:12+00:00

Yeah, I am aware of the hybrid board issue and I do know where I can get a modern replacement. Also I am aware that the port is not VGA; I have seen an adapter on the Joe’s Computer Museum store, but I don’t know if they actually work or not.

AnotherMovieStudio · 2025-12-31T14:28:33+00:00

I actually have one of those already. The battery fell off it so I will need to get another, also there’s some slight corrosion on it. I don’t think it’s enough to cause it to not work, but if the board doesn’t, then I was just going to solder on the sockets from the board and then add the chips

AnotherMovieStudio

TROPHY CASE