lbonini1

Q: eMac's Odd Behavior?

So I just upgraded my eMac to 512MB and since that upgrade it has been acting, really weird. First of all, it doesn't have a startup chime anymore, but boots up just fine, sound in system is fine, etc, etc.

 

 

Next is the fan activity; before the upgrade the fan was quiet and the computer didn't get so warm, now the fan whirs loudly and the computer actually gets warmer than before, not scalding but still, it's odd..

Posted on Nov 27, 2013 9:16 AM

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Q: eMac's Odd Behavior?

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  • by lbonini1,

    lbonini1 lbonini1 Nov 27, 2013 9:17 AM in response to lbonini1
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    Nov 27, 2013 9:17 AM in response to lbonini1

    A little help? (My question got cut off)

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Nov 28, 2013 8:51 AM in response to lbonini1
    Level 8 (35,217 points)
    iPad
    Nov 28, 2013 8:51 AM in response to lbonini1

    A little help?

    (one minute after posting)

     

    Hello and Welcome!

     

    Please be patient here. This is not chat nor are you talking to Apple. We are all end-users like you who volunteer our time here.

     

    Add to that the fact that this is a major holiday weekend in the US and people may not be as available as usual for a couple of days.

     

    So that's how it works here --let's turn to your issue.

     

    First, can you post the specs for your eMac (there are two broad families each using different RAM)? Specifically what we need is a code you can find with software. Please do "About this Mac" form you Apple menu to get this:

     

    About_this_Mac_PPC.png

    Note the Mac OS version (top red arrow) and then click the "more info..." button at the bottom. That gives this screen:

     

    SysProf_main_forASC.png

    Note that I highlighted the second line, Please tell us what that reads for your eMac. It will be one of two codes:

     

    Powermac4,4

    Powermac6,4

     

    Then please tell us the the specs for the RAM you bought. I suspect someone sold you the wrong RAM.

     

    A once well-known issue with the 4,4 eMacs was that, although they had a 100mhz logic board, they ran best with PC133 RAM. Oftern using PC100 RAM would cause the computer to fail until the RAM situation was remedied with proper RAM.

     

    I will be checking in today for your followup but understand we wiil have a lot of family descending upon our house for a big holiday feast!

     

    Best wishes,

     

    Allan

  • by lbonini1,

    lbonini1 lbonini1 Nov 28, 2013 12:32 PM in response to Allan Jones
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    Nov 28, 2013 12:32 PM in response to Allan Jones

    Um...my comment was posted because I noticed my message had gotten cut off and I didn't want it to seem like it ended abruptly, I'm very familiar with how it works here and I understand what's going on.

     

     

    I resolved this problem yesterday by speaking with the person who sold me the RAM, thank you for your in-depth response though!

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Nov 28, 2013 9:47 PM in response to lbonini1
    Level 8 (35,217 points)
    iPad
    Nov 28, 2013 9:47 PM in response to lbonini1

    My apologies. We get a lot of new people here who think it's live chat.

     

    What did the vendor do when you contacted them? I'm curious, and your solution may help others. There seems to be a fair number of eMacs still in service.

  • by lbonini1,

    lbonini1 lbonini1 Nov 30, 2013 10:35 AM in response to Allan Jones
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    Nov 30, 2013 10:35 AM in response to Allan Jones

    *Sigh* My Mac had a relapse, then healed again. I basically told the vendor that one of the RAM sticks was faulty (which it was, he sent 2 512 sticks and only one of them works) and I'm currently awaiting the replacement stick.

     

     

    Seemed to be a problem with the broken one, I left it in because I didn't have time to change it and I guess thats what was aggravating my computer, it now works and has a Chime again, but something weird.

     

     

    I hear actual static, like when you get snow on a TV Set, when it boots up and then disappears and the computer works fine.

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Nov 30, 2013 12:20 PM in response to lbonini1
    Level 8 (35,217 points)
    iPad
    Nov 30, 2013 12:20 PM in response to lbonini1

    Did you figure out if you have the 4,4 or the 6,4 eMac? The early 4,4 had poorly-shielded internal speakers that could be noisy. However, that behavior would have been there since Day One, not only after you change RAM.

     

    When you pull the RAM, see if any dust is caught in the slots.

     

    Some history of "issues" with eMacs--see if any patterns match:

     

    1) The very first eMacs (Jan 2002; 4,4)) had a defective IVAD cable on the monitor that could cause video artifacts and failure. Thsi was pretty much cleared up by Aug 2002.

    2) The aforementioned speaker shielding issues casued video artifacts in sync with the sound unless you kept the volume low or used external speakers.

    3) 6,4 eMacs ("USB 2.0") with 1.0 and 1.25ghz processors had a near-fatal logic board issue. Your computer is working too well to have this problem. Yes, it was that bad.

     

    The 6,4 eMacs with the 1,42Ghz processor were the best of the lot and, based on a lack if issues showing up here, were the lease troublesome.

     

    All 6,4 eMacs can accept a total of 2GB RAM with modern modules. However, not just any PC2700 1Ghz module will work. You have to get it from the right vendor. Our 1.42g has 2GB RAM and both modules came from here:

     

    1GB PC2700 DDR 333MHz CAS 2.5 184 Pin DIMM

     

    They have worked perfectly.

  • by lbonini1,

    lbonini1 lbonini1 Nov 30, 2013 4:08 PM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 30, 2013 4:08 PM in response to Allan Jones

    I have the 4,4 model, the serial ends in N9K as well. Mine takes PC133 SDRAM, the computer is working fine at the moment, hopefully I get that replacement in soon.

     

     

    It can't be dust as both slots register as filled when I have it's original 2 128 MB sticks.