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Compact Mac Screws?

S

ScanDisk

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Apr 1, 2017
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Niagara Falls, Canada Eh?
So I have a Macintosh SE (with hard drive, and was upgraded to 4mb ram by previous owner).

I would eventually like to take off the system 7 from it, bring it back down to original 1mb ram, and install system 4 (to get the original experience back).

However for now, there is something more important, I've had it for a few years, and it still works fine. At no point have I been inside it, so the original barrel battery is still there (I presume) and I think I should remove it soon before it leaks.

I know that there's only like 4 screws to remove the case, but that they are also weird screws, and the screws on the top require long drivers to get out because of how deep in the handle they are.

Do I need to buy some special screw drivers, or can I make due with star drivers maybe using some rubber at the ends or something?

Also, are there easy replacements for the clock battery, could I easily replace it with another, or maybe put in a socket for a cr2032 or such?

I know it will still work with no battery at all, just forget the time after each shutdown, but if it's simple enough I'll put in a new battery for convenience sake.
 
You will need a T15 Torx bit that's at least 12" long.
I think Harbor Freight sells the bit for around $3 but I've seen a few of the Apple-oriented marketplaces selling it for $20 or more, so watch out for price gouging.

The original battery in an SE is a 3.6v non-rechargeable Lithium. A 3v CR-2032 will work but not for long.
 
Back in the day, some computer stores sold "Macintosh screwdrivers" because you were unlikely to find one at the local hardware store. We started using them in the 1970s; back then the driver design was licensed by Textron and the tools were insanely expensive. My recollection of the drivers was that the Torx tip was welded to the end of the (long) screwdriver shaft.

Apple does have a reputation for choosing head styles that require uncommon tools; witness their use of pentalobe heads.
 
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I just use a really long 1/4" extension (12"), with a bit driver on the end with the torx screw bit. Little tight but gets the job done.
 
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Don't forget to unplug the speaker, might be difficult to see if you're not looking for it. If you pull it out too excitedly without unplugging the speaker, could break the connector. Please don't ask me how I know this...
 
For the battery you can use supercapacitors (2 of them, as they are usually 2.7V rated) with a voltage divider bridge, so it loads at 3.6V when the system is powered on.
 
You have to find a +5V or +12V supply somewhere and create a voltage divider to 3.6+0.7 = 4.3V and conntect it to a supercap after a diode that will drop 0.7V. If you don't put the diode the supercap will dischard in the divider, not good.
You can find voltage divider calculation online.
 
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