Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!iuvax!cica!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!ucsd!ogccse!blake!milton!seymour
From: seymour@milton.acs.washington.edu (Richard Seymour)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: MacPlus Memory Upgrade Help Needed
Message-ID: <595@milton.acs.washington.edu>
Date: 27 Oct 89 23:15:42 GMT
References: <559.254715ae@mdcbbs.com>
Reply-To: seymour@milton.acs.washington.edu (Richard Seymour)
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Lines: 41

In article <559.254715ae@mdcbbs.com> krueger@mdcbbs.com writes:
>What is the best way to "crack" the case?  Do I really need to get one of
>those special tools to open it up?  What are the chips/simms I need/can get?

i'm sorry i can't answer the "how to add memory" for that MAC, 
but i CAN answer how to open it:
Go to a hardware store and buy a Torx T-15 screwdriver-like object.
Here in Seattle the local chains carry Korean and Taiwan-made versions
for $2.50 (really!).  The problem is that a Mac requires a ten-inch long
shank.
So, you go find (if you're lucky) someone with a power cutoff wheel.
If not, you get a hacksaw and cut the shank in half lengthwise.
Go find a tube (copper gas line, steel, iron) whose inside diameter
is a tight fit over the shank end.  (you may want to file the
 cut faces to make it easier to cram into the tube).
Attaching the whole mess (handle-with-shank into tube over shank-with-bit)
together can be done in a variety of ways.  I usually grind a notch
into each shank end, push them into the tube (did i mention the tube 
should be about 8 inches long?) and then crimp the tube into the notches
with a bolt-cutting visegrip jaw.  Friends have used epoxy, others
have brazed it (i don't like to play with torches).

You should now have a ten-inch shanked Torx-type size T-15 tool!

To split the case:  lay the MAC on its face.  Use your shiny new tools
to remove all four screws (two under the handle, two on the lower rear).
Now first try just lifting the back up from everything else.
If you're very lucky, it'll do it and you're done!
If you have normal luck, it won't.  Try prodding around the seam,
pushing the rear part of the case in a little to "work' it free.
If you are not too picky about final appearence, you can pry the
two pieces apart with a knife blade (careful!).
Or a thin steel shim or steel ruler.  By going around the case
many times, prying apart "just a hair" as you go, you can do a 
very neat (no visible damage) job without a fancy tool.
Just take time and patience.  Remeber you're paying yourself back
for not paying someone else to add the memory.
(many memory sellers in this area will install for free, even those
with the lowest memory prices... be sure to ask in your area!)
good luck
-- dick