The Vintage Macs mail list is Low End Mac's email list for those using vintage (pre-PowerPC) Macintosh computers. It's a Google Group that can be read on the web with a browser or emailed to you. It covers questions, answers and discussions relating to all the vintage Macs, including the Mac SE. Highly recommended. Find out more about it at the Low End Mac site. Archives from the beginning of 2006 can be read and searched here. Older posts from the pre-Google days are here.
The Classic Macs mailing list was similar and ran for many years. The Classic Macs Archives are found at: http://www.nehaia.dk/cm_archives/
A major site dedicated to keeping older Macs productive. It encompasses everything from the first Macintosh to the latest, but the primary focus is older models. The section for SEs is at http://lowendmac.com/compact/se.shtml
Another major effort and a five-star web site. Answers to all the questions you've been asking, from basic to advanced. Here are the topics from just part one (of thirteen) - What versions of the Mac OS will run on my Mac? What versions of the Mac OS are available online, and where can I get them? Which version of the Mac OS is best for my Mac? What the heck is all this System Enabler stuff? What am I supposed to do with these disk image things? How can I get an OS on a Mac using only my PC? Is there a list of startup key combinations and what they do somewhere? What are those "extras" I should add to System 7.1 to make it more like 7.5?
Place a cushion under your chin before going to this jaw-dropping site, with links to everything of interest to classic Mac fans. Includes where to download the Mac OS from the earliest versions to System 7.5.3, Boot Disks, manuals, how to transfer files from PC to Mac, and creating a bare bones System 7.5 for the Internet. And lots more.
This Museum is a repository for orphaned/classic drivers to maintain the usefulness of Classic Macs. Click on any of the links to get to a navigation page. Drivers for network cards, printers, monitors and accelerators are among those included. The curator, Bhavesh Patel, welcomes contributions via the Museum's Yahoo! Group.
If you own a Mac with a 68000 CPU like the Plus, SE, Classic etc., then GET THIS FILE NOW! It offers invaluable advice and information from Matti Haveri about applications and System software suitable for our old Macs, with download links. Internet software is also discussed, including MacTCP 2.0.6, an important piece of Apple system software for anyone who wants to get an old Mac on the Internet. But if you don't have System 7.5 you might have trouble finding it. Try here.
Enormous page of great links to technical information, sites about specific Macs, lots of software, and older and used hardware sources. All designed for the classic Mac user. One of the best sites. Update: The site's author, David Wood, passed away on January 5th, 2003, and his work is being carried on by Hardy Menagh at the link above.
This site for Apple enthusiasts has some great pages on the Mac SE. Lots of information, and many pictures of both the exterior and interior of the machine.
Contains the best gaming gems of another era with great game play. System requirements are very low, and most will work with System 6 through Mac OS 9.
If your Mac is too slow for System 7, then this site is an essential resource. "System 6 is more stable than System 7.x and provides almost instant booting. It was way ahead of its time and can do far more than most people know."
A vast amount of information on old Macs, how to fix them, what to do with them, how to upgrade them, and software downloads of all kinds. Start at the main page above, or try the index page to see an alphabetical list of everything available.
A simulation of System 7 on a Macintosh SE original black-and-white display, with some extensions and some limitations. "Do not take this too serious". Play Pong! Asteroids! There are also old-Mac discussion forums here. And don't miss the links page. You could spend a serious amount of time at this Berlin-based site.
With over 25MB of information and software, this website has everything you'll need to make an old Mac Plus, Classic, Portable, SE, or PowerBook 100 Internet-ready.
The VMC is a one-bit web site that talks about vintage (who said
obsolete?) Macintosh computers, not about the technical aspects, but
from a user's point of view.
Children's and educational software for old black and white Macs, including details of still-available commercial software. Says the site's maintainer: "I know there are many SEs and Classics out there, and they are a good candidate to give to children -- but what to run on them!?! Well, here is a place to find the shareware that will run. Most of it has been tested on my Mac Plus, running System 6.0.8. Some might require System 7, but these are all good bets to test on your own older system."
Everymac.com is the complete guide to every Macintosh, iPod, and Mac clone in the world, with technical, configuration, and pricing details. Get specs on every Mac.
Brilliant web site for finding second-hand books and computer manuals. A large number of booksellers from all over the world have their stock online here. Find manuals for old versions of PhotoShop, QuarkXpress etc. Or Apple owners' manuals for the Mac SE and other machines, old System Software guides etc. You can order online and shipping is worldwide.
Accelerators for the SE
AMAZINGLY, Micromac in the US has no fewer than five SE accelerators still available. The cheapest is a "Performer" with a 16MHz 68030 CPU, and the pricier "PerformerPro" has a 32MHz 68030. Both are sold with or without an FPU, and are also available for the Mac Plus and Classic.
There are three more "MultiSpeed" accelerator cards with four extra RAM slots that take 1MB or 4MB SIMMS. Available with 16MHz, 25MHz, or 32MHz 68030 CPUs, again with optional FPU. Mac Plus and Classic users can use these cards with adapter boards.
Prices go from $49 to $249, plus you have to buy the SIMMS and extra software to use more than 4MB. Crazy? Micromac's US web page has full details, and there's a review of the cheapest model at Low End Mac.
MicroMac may still be offering a software package called Compact Virtual, which allows SEs that have accelerator cards with extra RAM to access more than 4MB. It costs $79, if still available. Email MicroMac from their web site to ask at http://www.micromac.com/products/compact_virtual.html
Repairers, and suppliers of hardware, software
and components for older Macs
THERE are big variations in prices between suppliers - shop around! Some of these web sites need a frames-capable browser.
US suppliers
For working out shipping costs within the US and worldwide, the US Post has an online calculator at http://ircalc.usps.gov/. UPS, FedEx and DHL have a similar service.
Junkyard Jeff's Computer Wrecking Yard. A Seattle supplier of classic Macs, used hard drives, RAM, cables, printers etc. Good prices and lots of hard-to-find bits and pieces.
Herb's Mac Stuff got a recommendation from this customer: "A good source of parts and supplies for old compact Macs. His prices are fair and he ships promptly! A decent supply of ImageWriter, Plus, SE and SE/30 parts, peripherals and misc."
SMR Software still sells online the double-sided, double-density floppy disks that work in the 800k drives of old Macs. They come pre-formatted for PCs, but you can reformat them for Macs. Typical price last time I looked was $20 for 25. They're at 32 Northwest Fourth Street, Grand Rapids, MN 55744. Tel (218) 326-0890. Fax (847) 770-4792. SMR supplies embroidery software, and the disks are needed by older commercial embroidery machines. That's why SMR still sells them. Also www.floppydisk.com has them for about $1 when you buy 50, cheaper if you buy 100 or 250.
Galaxy HP Upgrades, repairs and parts.
5075 Nectar Way
Eugene, OR 97405
Sales: order2@galaxyhp.com
Tech questions: guru@galaxyhp.com
Tel. 1-888-345-1817
The MacAttic, 514 Lafayette Avenue, Grand Haven, MI, specializes in used Apple/Macintosh computers, parts, software, service and repair. It offers complete Mac systems, printers, monitors, software and parts for most Macs and Mac clones.
Nexcomp Nexus Communications, PO Box 691905, Houston, TX 77269-1905. New, used and refurbished Macs, parts and accessories. E-mail: inquiries@nexcomp.com. Fax: (832) 201-7130. PowerON Computer Services 8801 Washington Blvd., Ste. 101, Roseville, CA 95678. Tel. (916) 677-6227. Fax (916) 677-6228. Email sales@poweron.com ICNI New and second-user systems, etc. TekServe Vintage Mac repairs, components and sales in NYC. Tel. (212) 929-3645. MacParts Lots of stuff for old Macs. Email: sale@macparts.com B&R Computer Services Repairs and consultation in San Diego, CA. Vintage models a specialty ("No Macintosh is to old for us!"). Disk and file conversion and recovery. Also old software, games, educational, books and manuals. MC Price Breakers SCSI hard drives, cables etc. ADB stuff, batteries, cables, accelerators, refurbished parts, floppy drives, power supplies, motherboards. Wayne's Computer Apple hardware, software, books and manuals, in Elbridge, New York.
UK suppliers
Analogic Computers (UK), Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, was established the year the Mac SE was launched, 1987. Try them for cables and SCSI drives. Analogic has a repair service, and say they are "dedicated to obtaining end of line and hard to find parts".
Key Components in Southampton has (had?) Apple proprietary chipset IC's available for anyone repairing to component level. Tel 02380 666077. Fax 02380 666088.
Clocktower offers used and new Macs, accessories, support for older and obsolete models, service and repairs, upgrades, data recovery, and consumables. They're in Stortford Road, Little Hadham, Hertfordshire, SG11 2DX. Phone before visiting. Tel 01279 771038.
VIS / Apple Mac Parts will exchange your faulty SE logic and analog boards, power supplies and floppy drives for working ones. Repair service available. Copenhagen House, Riseley Business Park, Basingstoke Road, Riseley, Reading, RG7 1NW. Tel: +44 (0) 118 988 6633. Fax: +44 (0) 118 988 4440.
Roger D'Arcy Computers: "Very helpful with Mac parts, books, software etc." says a visitor here. 12 Beauchamp Lane, Oxford OX4 3LF. Tel 01865 748788.
T&B Brodhurst-Hill A few used Macs for sale, plus accessories and peripherals. Email: forsale@tandb.com.au. Also hosts the following comprehensive links list...
Buying Macs and Accessories
in Australia "This page is provided as a service for our clients (and the general Australian Mac community) as a source for new and used Macs, accessories, and specifications".
New Zealand supplier
Sideline Systems "is an independent Mac-only business serving Mac users in Palmerston North, wider Manawatu, and around New Zealand since 1996. We specialise in secondhand Macintosh systems, and hold a current NZ Secondhand Dealers Licence - offering selected machines and parts available for older models right back to 1984 (some Apple II parts available too)". Email: sales@slsys.co.nz. Sideline Systems Ltd, P.O. Box 876, Palmerston North 4440, New Zealand. Tel +64-6-3530050. Mobile 021-898 511.
The Mac SE Support Pages, maintained by Chris Adams
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