The Macintosh Colo(u)r Classic FAQ

Section 1 — General Colo(u)r Classic

• 1. Basics
  1. What are all these acronyms and abbreviations?
  2. My CC won't start. Why not?
  3. Do I need to discharge the CRT before working inside my CC?
  4. My CC is emitting a high-pitched whine. What gives?
  5. My screen is missing one colour. How can I fix it?
  6. My screen is all splotchy, with some dark areas and light areas and weird colours. How can I fix it?
  7. My screen is distorted somehow. How do I fix it?
  8. Where can I get the service manual for my CC?
  9. How can I start a CC with no keyboard or motherboard?
  
  
• 2. Non-Motherboard Upgrades
  1. How do I get stereo sound?
  2. How do I get higher-resolution video?
  3. I did the video upgrade but my screen is too skinny. What can I do?
  4. Can I add an internal CD-ROM or other removeable media drive?
  5. How can I paint my CC?
  6. How do I replace the power indicator LED with another one?
  7. Can I replace the CRT with an LCD panel?
  8. I want to replace my CC's fan. What size is it?
  9. How do I add an internal Zip or SuperDisk drive?
  10. I'm bored. What else can I do?

Section 2 — Motherboard Upgrades (Graphical Upgrade Road Map)

• 1. "Mystic" Upgrades
  1. What is a "Mystic" CC?
  2. What motherboards can I use for a "Mystic" upgrade?
  3. I'm a klutz with a soldering iron. Can't I do something in software instead?
  4. How do I overclock a Mystic?
  5. What Mac OS is best for my Mystic?
  6. Can I use 64 MB or larger SIMMs in my Mystic?
  7. I've got this killer Mystic but it has a big gaping hole in the back. How can I cover it?
  8. What about the PowerPC card for a 575?
  9. Where can I get the necessary System Enabler for my Mystic?
  10. Can I add an L2 cache to my Mystic?
  11. Will Comm Slot cards fit my Mystic?
  12. What external monitor options exist for my Mystic?
  13. I'm a klutz with ResEdit. Can't I do some soldering instead?
  14. Why doesn't my Mystic have any video output?
  
  
• 2. "Takky" Upgrades
  1. What is a "Takky" CC?
  2. What motherboards can I use for a "Takky" upgrade?
  3. What parts do I need to make a Takky?
  4. Do I need to add an extra power supply to my Takky?
  5. What's the deal with 3.3V regulators?
  6. Can I upgrade my Takky to a G3 or G4?
  7. Help! The IDE connector diagrams make no sense!
  8. How do I overclock a Takky?
  9. What Mac OS is best for my Takky?
  10. How can I add a TV tuner to my Takky?
  11. Can I use 64 MB or larger RAM modules in my Takky?
  12. What Comm Slot/Comm Slot II cards fit my Takky?
  13. What options do I have for an external monitor on my Takky?
  14. How can I keep the remote control (IR) receiver from the donor Mac?
  
  
• 3. Other Logic Board Upgrades
  1. Can I use an iMac motherboard instead of doing all that Takky work and then upgrading to a G3?
  2. What about the 520 and 550-series motherboards?
  3. What about using a PowerBook to do the motherboard and screen at once?
  4. Are there any other motherboards I can use?

Section 3 — Colo(u)r Classic Technical Specs and Documentation

• Technical Specs and Info
  • Color Classic / Performa 250 Technical Specifications
  • Color Classic II / Performa 275 Technical Specifications
  • Analogue Board Parts List
  • Analogue Board Schematics
  
  
• Apple Developer and Tech Notes
  • CC Developer Note (350 KB PDF)
  • LC 520 Developer Note (547 KB PDF)
  • LC 575 Developer Note (619 KB PDF)
  • 630-series Developer Note (869 KB PDF)
  • 630-series DOS Compatibles Developer Note (649 KB PDF)
  • Other Developer Notes
  
  
• Service Manuals
  • CC Service Manual (1369 KB PDF)
  • CC II / Performa 275 Service Manual (1306 KB PDF)
  • Other Service Manuals

Section 4 — Document History

1. Who helped out?
2. Revision History

Written and maintained by Chris Lawson; generously hosted free of charge by Nathan Pralle .


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All layout and HTML code is copyright ©2000-4 by the pickle and Chris Lawson. Text content is ©1999-2005 by Stuart Bell, Chris Lawson, members of the Colo(u)r Classic Forum, and members of the Club for Creating the Strongest Color Classic (CCSCC). Quotations from other sources used by permission. While every effort is made to verify information, neither Chris Lawson nor the other copyright holders take any responsibility for the content or accuracy of external links. If you break something as a result of what you read here, it is exclusively your own fault.