rdespot

Q: Power Mac G5 1.8/DP/3GB400/160/SD/FX5200/PCI-X start up problem

Please help, having problem with start-up of my Power Mac G5. Its a Power Mac G5 1.8/DP/3GB 400/160 HDD/SD/FX5200/PCI-X.

 

Mac doesnt want to start.

 

Symptoms:

 

1. when press the power button there is no sound at all

2. LED diod above power button flesh three times in a row in white colour after 5 second pause

3. I am sure it is not a problem with RAM, HDD as a have similar Mac at job and tried to interchange those elements between computers but it doesnt help!

 

I had the same problem today in the morning but it finally started normally after couple of tries but in the afternoon there is no way to start the POwer Mac G5. I tried minimum 50 times to start it up and no way to do it.

 

Can anybody help me please!

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jul 13, 2011 11:59 AM

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Q: Power Mac G5 1.8/DP/3GB400/160/SD/FX5200/PCI-X start up problem

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  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 13, 2011 12:22 PM in response to rdespot
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Jul 13, 2011 12:22 PM in response to rdespot

    Hi, it very likely is the RAM slots/lead free solder issue.

     

    If you're sure the RAM is good, try the Hair Dryer trick...

     

    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=13240047#13240047

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/15223603#15223603

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/15499912#15499912

     

    It can show on any G5, and even many other computers & electronic devices of the period.

     

    Some people hae even had success not using the inner pair of RAM sticks & such.

  • by rdespot,

    rdespot rdespot Jul 13, 2011 12:32 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 13, 2011 12:32 PM in response to BDAqua

    You mean it is a logic board problem and it could be solved with heating the memory slots on logic board with a hair dryer?

  • by BDAqua,Solvedanswer

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 13, 2011 12:41 PM in response to rdespot
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Jul 13, 2011 12:41 PM in response to rdespot

    Yes.

     

    "Bingo !!

     

    Hairdyer 4 mins (to the point at which it became worryingly hot) and its back to life"

     

    "Awesome!!!! That's insane that it actually worked! Thanks for the help!"

     

    "I was not using the hair dryer long enough. 4 - 5 minutes did it.

     

    I am back up and all memmory is good. I used a Conair 1875 watt. "

  • by rdespot,

    rdespot rdespot Jul 13, 2011 12:55 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 13, 2011 12:55 PM in response to BDAqua

    It works and boot normally!!!!!! Unbelievable.....

     

    One more, I heated the area of the RAM slots. Right?

  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 13, 2011 1:01 PM in response to rdespot
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Jul 13, 2011 1:01 PM in response to rdespot

    Great news, thanks!

     

    Right, you did great.

     

    PS. As a rough estimate I'd say that has worked 80-90% of the time, & roughly 20-30% of the time more or less permanent.

  • by rdespot,

    rdespot rdespot Jul 13, 2011 1:06 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 13, 2011 1:06 PM in response to BDAqua

    It works now, booting ok every time, so conclusion would be that logic board lost some circuit during time through years and without hair drayer only new logic board would help. please correct me if I am wrong.

     

    thank you for your kind help!

     

    Robert

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 13, 2011 1:12 PM in response to rdespot
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Jul 13, 2011 1:12 PM in response to rdespot

    You're correct Robert, the initial lead free solder, (mandated), had a tendancy to lose contact due to repeated heating & cooling over time.

     

    And you're very welcome, I'm very happy that I could help.

  • by rdespot,

    rdespot rdespot Jul 15, 2011 3:40 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 15, 2011 3:40 AM in response to BDAqua

    It doesnt want to boot again! Drives me completelly crazy!

     

    No beep sound and three times white LED above power button flesh every 5 seconds!

     

    Is there any SW tool to exactly isolate where is the problem , could it be a one of the processors failure ?

  • by japamac,

    japamac japamac Jul 15, 2011 4:05 AM in response to rdespot
    Level 7 (24,390 points)
    Jul 15, 2011 4:05 AM in response to rdespot
    Is there any SW tool to exactly isolate where is the problem

    No.

    could it be a one of the processors failure ?

    It could also be a processor.

    Processor BGA failure is also a result of RoHS mandated changes in connection material used.

     

    Logic board memory controller BGA is a likely suspect, as well as RAM slot attachment.

     

    The board needs replaced or a reflow.

    DIY reflow in an oven or with a heat gun (latter good for component level flow).

    Google will reveal many ideas for DIY reflow.

     

    Personally, I'd try a reflow of the memory controller.....

  • by rdespot,

    rdespot rdespot Jul 15, 2011 5:13 AM in response to japamac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 15, 2011 5:13 AM in response to japamac

    thanks for the instructions, I wonder how should I isolate the problem ASAP?

     

    1. is it possible to somehow disable lower or upper processor in order to eliminate the reasons if processor is a cause of a problem?
    2. can I run the pc on only one processor?
    3. what about video graphic card, could it be due to the malfunction  of the video graphic adapter card?
  • by japamac,

    japamac japamac Jul 15, 2011 5:57 AM in response to rdespot
    Level 7 (24,390 points)
    Jul 15, 2011 5:57 AM in response to rdespot
    is it possible to somehow disable lower or upper processor in order to eliminate the reasons if processor is a cause of a problem?

    CPU 1 may be disabled. CPU 0 cannot be disabled.

    Physically remove and switch the processors to use disabling as a troubleshooting technique for both processors.

    (Removal and reversal will require Thermal Calibration. Use ASD 2.5.8).

     

    While booted normally, in Utilities, open Terminal and enter the following:

     

    $ sudo nvram boot-args="cpus=1" (To re-enable the 2nd cpu set boot-args="").

     

    Alternatively, in Open Firmware do this:

     

    • Boot while holding down Command-Option-O-F
    • At the command line prompt enter: setenv boot-args cpus=1
    • Return
    • Enter: mac-boot
    • Return
    can I run the pc on only one processor?

    Absolutely.

    what about video graphic card, could it be due to the malfunction  of the video graphic adapter card?

    Anything is possible, but the POST error that your machine gives you (three flashes) tells us otherwise.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1547

  • by rdespot,

    rdespot rdespot Jul 15, 2011 6:37 AM in response to japamac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 15, 2011 6:37 AM in response to japamac
    1. CPU 1=lower processor?
    2. so first step in investigation of the problem would be disabling CPU 1 in terminal mode, how could I enter terminal mode? more details please :-)
    3. second step is physical interchange of the processors and in that case I have to do Thermal Calibration?
    4. where to download ASD 2.5.8?
    5. third step would be heating the logic board with hairdryer-which exact logic board location should I heat and for how long?

     

    if you were me what would you do in order to solve this problem?

     

    I feel unhappy knowing my Power Mac G5 is faulty - we have an emotional relation as this is the most beautiful pc I have ever saw :-)

  • by japamac,

    japamac japamac Jul 15, 2011 6:52 AM in response to rdespot
    Level 7 (24,390 points)
    Jul 15, 2011 6:52 AM in response to rdespot
    CPU 1=lower processor?

    Yes.

    so first step in investigation of the problem would be disabling CPU 1 in terminal mode, how could I enter terminal mode? more details please

    Open the Terminal application located in your OS X Applications/Utilities folder.

    second step is physical interchange of the processors and in that case I have to do Thermal Calibration?

    Yes.

    Sometimes that is all that is needed to correct things.

    where to download ASD 2.5.8?

    Google will give you some options.

    You can email me via my profile/website and I can steer you to a working download.

    third step would be heating the logic board with hairdryer-which exact logic board location should I heat and for how long?

    The area around and between the RAM slots.

    The large, square area of many solder connections is important to heat thoroughly.

    Heat long enough to make things HOT.

    Solder doesn't melt until 415ºF (or so). A hair dryer won't melt anything, so let things get hot.

    if you were me what would you do in order to solve this problem?

    First I would complete the CPU diagnosis.

    Failing improvement there, with nothing to lose, I would remove the logic board and reflow the solder using a heat gun or oven.

    If that failed, I would look for a parts machine or sell the parts that I had.

  • by rdespot,

    rdespot rdespot Jul 15, 2011 7:01 AM in response to japamac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 15, 2011 7:01 AM in response to japamac

    RESPECT! (on your knowledge)

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