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Friday – September 3, 2010 

LCII Ethernet Card Modification

If you're using the Apple Macintosh LCII computer with the Apple ethernet card with the external media adapter, you'll appreciate this no soldering required modification.

before

The standard Apple LCII mother board, also used in a variety of Performa models as well, has a shielded audio output jack. Shown here circled in green.

This presents no problems until you add an Apple ethernet card with an external media adapter. This adapter, due to the weight of the external media adapter, pulls down on the card mounted upside down inside the computer case.

ethernet card

Thus causing part number L1 on the ethernet card to short circuit against the shielding on the audio output connector. This short circuit causes the machine to restart. This can be fixed with the simple addition of a small piece of plastic electric tape to the top of the audio output jack inside the computer.

Another thing to consider doing is to secure the media adapter to the desk with a piece of double sided foam tape or velcro style hook and loop fasteners. Using cable ties on the cable leading to the connector is NOT recommended since this may pinch the wires.

after

As shown at the right, a small piece of electric tape has been added to the top of the audio output jack so that the part L1 on the Apple ethernet card can't come in contact with it and restart the machine.

On the one LCIII machine that I have access to this audio output jack is already insulated so on this particular model this modification may not need to be done to your particular machine. When installing an ethernet card you can check to be sure.

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Keep index cards handy so you can write down short notes on the children in your classroom. Review these frequently to ensure that you've not overlooked any child.

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When using movies, videos or television programs with your students' preview the material and if feasible make a study sheet for the students to follow along on. This will keep them focused on the instructional material.

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Contents Copyright 2010 By Philip Hess -- September 2010 revision
This page was updated on Friday, September 3, 2010
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