keithgvp

Q: PM G5 startup light flashing/black screen

Last time I booted this up was about 2 years ago, and it worked.  I never used it, as it was inherited from a closed-down art gallery, where I believe it didn't get that much use.  I have two of these G5's, one of which works fine, and the serial numbers show they are slightly different.

 

What happens with the problem computer is that when the power button is pressed it makes the usual startup whirring sound, and I can hear the fan running, but there's no Apple on the screen, which, in fact, is black.  Furthermore, the power button at first attempt stayed lit but flashed every 4 seconds or so. After awhile, the fan noise seemed to increase, so it became fairly noisy.  I looked up a few suggestions and switched the PRAM battery from the other machine, and put the RAM sticks in order from top to bottom in the first tier.  There are 4 128MBs. As I say, it's booted up before, and I never touched it since then.

 

Firing it up now, I only get the quietest fan sound, and the power light flashes every 4 seconds.

 

The serial number for this problem machine indicates it's a PowerMac 7,.2, and was manufactured between June and Nov. of 2003, with a production year listing of 2004.  (The good machine is 7,3 and made bet. 6/04 -4/05 )  Aside from that, they're identical in terms of processor, memory and graphics.

 

Advice appreciated,

 

Keith

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), G5 1.8 GHz

Posted on Jun 17, 2013 8:59 PM

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Q: PM G5 startup light flashing/black screen

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jun 17, 2013 9:08 PM in response to keithgvp
    Level 10 (123,745 points)
    Jun 17, 2013 9:08 PM in response to keithgvp

    Hi Keith,

     

    Did you intall the RAM in opposing Pairs?

     

    4-3-2-1*1-2-3-4

     

    1 with 1, 2 with 2, etc?

     

    Can you count the beeps or flashes?

     

    1 beep = no RAM installed

    2 beeps = incompatible RAM types

    3 beeps = no good banks

    4 beeps = no good boot images in the boot ROM (and/or bad sys config block)

    5 beeps = processor is not usable

     

    In addition to the beeps, on some computers the power LED will flash a corresponding number of times plus one. The LED will repeat the sequence after approximately a 5-second pause. The tones are only played once.

     

    Note: In this case, a flash is considered to be 1/4 second or 250 ms or greater in length.

     

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

  • by keithgvp,

    keithgvp keithgvp Jun 17, 2013 11:07 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 17, 2013 11:07 PM in response to BDAqua

    Hi BD,

    I'm not sure what's meant by opposing pairs..  the modules are all 128MB, and are installed on the top four slots.  Please advise.

     

    I haven't heard any beeps or chimes on startup, but will try again with the speaker cable unplugged.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jun 17, 2013 11:55 PM in response to keithgvp
    Level 10 (123,745 points)
    Jun 17, 2013 11:55 PM in response to keithgvp

    Hi, by top 4 I suspect you have 8 slots?

     

    If so that won't work, try 2 in the inner most slots...

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1305

  • by keithgvp,

    keithgvp keithgvp Jun 18, 2013 10:19 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 18, 2013 10:19 PM in response to BDAqua

    Today I'll try shifting just 2 to the inner slots...or I could try to 512's from the other machine in the inner slots..

     

    And will listen for chimes, beeps, or flashing powerlights

  • by BDAqua,Solvedanswer

    BDAqua BDAqua Jun 18, 2013 11:08 PM in response to keithgvp
    Level 10 (123,745 points)
    Jun 18, 2013 11:08 PM in response to keithgvp

    OK, make sure they are paired/equal size on eah side.

  • by keithgvp,

    keithgvp keithgvp Jun 19, 2013 12:45 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 19, 2013 12:45 PM in response to BDAqua

    The Miracle of BDAqua!!   Thanks so much!

     

    it worked on the first try, with the 512's on each side....but why, I wonder - what was cause of the startup problem? 

     

    If I keep this one, I'd like to max out the RAM for video editing, and with 8 slots I guess that's 8 GB? (they offer good prices for PC 3200U chips on eBay)

     

    I'm giving one of these two G5s to a friend, and keeping the other.  Which one?

     

    The serial number for this now functioning machine indicates it's a PowerMac 7,.2, and was manufactured between June and Nov. of 2003, with a production year listing of 2004.  My [other G5]  is 7,3 and was made between 6/04 -4/05 )  Aside from that, they seem identical in terms of processor, memory and graphics, though the weight of the 7.3 is more (has two front fans, the other has one).   Is the later one superior to the other in some way? 

     

    Oddly enough, the later one, the 7,3 only has 4 slots for RAM, and it looks as if the other 4 had been removed, as the holes are there. (the specs indicate that its capacity is 16GB RAM)  OWC said memory slots cannot be purchased.  I guess the best this one could do then would be 4 GB - - unless there's a fix.  Also, the 7,3 only has an 80GB HD, while the 7,2 has a 160GB HD.  So the one you just helped me restore to life, the 7,2,  seems like the better choice for me to keep.

     

    Either way, thanks again...the $$ amount in repair costs you've saved people over the years is probably incalculable    !!

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jun 19, 2013 1:49 PM in response to keithgvp
    Level 10 (123,745 points)
    Jun 19, 2013 1:49 PM in response to keithgvp

    Great news thanks!

     

    It''s Dual-Channel RAM, meaning 2 sticks make one real stick, basically doubling the speed, so opposing pairs are required.

     

    Yes, your 7,3 G5 1.8GHz can only hold 4GB...

     

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac_g5/specs/powermac_g5_1.8_dp_2.htm l

     

    Only the G5s with PowerMac11,2 can hold 16 GB of RAM.

     

    Make sure the PC3200 REAM is Mac compatible, not all PC RAM wiull work.

  • by jbrumdesign,

    jbrumdesign jbrumdesign Nov 13, 2013 7:44 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 13, 2013 7:44 AM in response to BDAqua

    I have a G5. That used to start up but now i'm having issues. I've tried hitting the reset button and everythhing. WHen it did start up it would freeze and the fans would sound like they were getting louder. Now it won't start up. I hit the power button and the fans work and the white light blinks every 4 seconds. Is that just a ram issue? or is it something else i should look into?

    Thanks