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Emate 300 without battery pack

Forums > Vintage Apple > iPad, iPod, Newton/eMate & Handhelds

yomatiase
New Tinkerer
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Joined: Apr 18, 2022
Posts: 30
Likes: 19
Apr 18, 2022 - #1
Is there a way to use the Emate 300 without battery pack, I plug it in the wall, the light shitch on but there is no other activity

splorp
Tinkerer
Calgary, Alberta
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Joined: Oct 31, 2021
Posts: 167
Likes: 150
Apr 19, 2022 - #2
Yes, the eMate should run without a battery pack.

A few things to check:

  1. Are you using an original Newton AC adapter? The correct voltage and current rating is important.
  2. It's possible that the display cable has been damaged by a broken spring in the display hinge.
  3. Does the display make any odd sounds when moved?
  4. Does the display flicker at all?
  5. Does the backlight work?

yomatiase
New Tinkerer
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Joined: Apr 18, 2022
Posts: 30
Likes: 19
Aug 15, 2025 - #3
I'm getting back to this project.

I plug it in the wall, the light shitch on but there is no other activity

This emate is pristine.
I'm using the original AC adapter
Hinge and cable are in perfect conditions
Display doesn't make any sound when moving it.
The backlight doesn't light up
It has the two cards in the slots

I disassemble it and check voltage around the board.
The board gets electricity including various components
BUT, the pins on the board that gives voltage to the LCD has no voltage al all.

I checked visually it looks pristine. I reviewed the board as thorough as I could and couldn't find any anomalies.
I don't know what else to do...

Elemenoh
Active Tinkerer
Bay Area
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Joined: Oct 18, 2021
Posts: 428
Likes: 415
Aug 15, 2025 - #4
Did you install the little plunger back correctly? That pushes a switch to turn the screen on when it's opened. If it's not there, you'd get a symptom like you described. Check the eMate Service Source manual to see the bit I'm talking about.

yomatiase
New Tinkerer
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Joined: Apr 18, 2022
Posts: 30
Likes: 19
Aug 15, 2025 - #5
Thanks for the answer, do you mean the Backlight wire connector?

Attachments:
1755261564816.png [View]

yomatiase
New Tinkerer
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Joined: Apr 18, 2022
Posts: 30
Likes: 19
Aug 15, 2025 - #6
I'm looking at this document, and can't find what you mention.

Elemenoh
Active Tinkerer
Bay Area
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Joined: Oct 18, 2021
Posts: 428
Likes: 415
Aug 15, 2025 - #7
Sorry thought it was in service source but it's not. Here's the part.

Attachments:
IMG_6507.png [View]

yomatiase
New Tinkerer
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Joined: Apr 18, 2022
Posts: 30
Likes: 19
Aug 15, 2025 - #8
I think I have a new version of this.
I have like this square thing and this switch on the board...

Attachments:
IMG_6556 Medium.jpeg [View]
IMG_6557 Medium.jpeg [View]

Elemenoh
Active Tinkerer
Bay Area
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Joined: Oct 18, 2021
Posts: 428
Likes: 415
Aug 15, 2025 - #9
You're missing the plunger that pushes in the switch

yomatiase
New Tinkerer
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Joined: Apr 18, 2022
Posts: 30
Likes: 19
Aug 15, 2025 - #10
Ohhh.. do you have a better photo of that piece, maybe I could replicate it.

Elemenoh
Active Tinkerer
Bay Area
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Joined: Oct 18, 2021
Posts: 428
Likes: 415
Aug 15, 2025 - #11
No but you should be able to work backwards by measuring the hole the 'pin' goes through and the enclosure parts where it rests. Good luck!

yomatiase
New Tinkerer
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Joined: Apr 18, 2022
Posts: 30
Likes: 19
Aug 15, 2025 - #12
I got a better image...
Attachments:
1755280649187.png [View]

yomatiase
New Tinkerer
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Joined: Apr 18, 2022
Posts: 30
Likes: 19
Aug 19, 2025 - #13
Ok, no luck at all.
I replicated the piece. I even fixed the switch on the ON position.
Still only the light turns up. No sound, no sign of light out of the screen.

chuma
New Tinkerer
Canada
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Joined: Sep 27, 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 16
Nov 12, 2025 - #14
Could be the screen contrast - slider position or the slider component itself - though if the volume's up then the eMate should emit the start-up sound

You mentioned "It has two cards in the slots" - one should be the ROM card with NewtonOS on it, it should be obvious because the card has spots for four chips, but only two are installed like this https://www.pda-soft.de/common/img/hardware/eMate/disassembly/746x519_emateDisassembly08large.jpg

Problem could be with the expansion card, you could try removing it (with power off of course) but if it boots,
your Newton might decide to wipe its internal flash. Don't do this if you are trying to recover precious data!

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