Yiannis

Q: Power Mac G4 MDD strange startup problem

Hello ,

 

I have an old G4 MDD dual 1Ghz which is been used by my 6 years old son  for gaming and watching movies.

I had Tiger 10.4.11 on a IBM deskstar HDD and Leo 10.5.8 on a seagate HD.

Everything was fine until some days ago, when my mac didn't boot from the first try…..black screen.

After a second attempt , booting was just fine.

 

I have now two system disks (IBM deskstar HDD) with 10.5.8 installed.

Mac is not booting always from first attempt….it takes two more  with or without the option key pressed to choose a startup disk.

 

I have done all the usual…….reset PMU-PRAM…replacing battery,replacing cables,cable select the drives and now forced one to master and second to slave.

 

I have run Service Diagnostics 2.1.5………..ALL TESTS PASSED.

 

Still not booting normally….

 

Any suggestions please??

 

Thank you all!

 

PS:It is also loosing very often internet connection via ethernet……..I think it's not a router problem as all my other macs are working normally.

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 2g Ram-1GHZ MDD

Posted on Oct 6, 2014 10:27 AM

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Q: Power Mac G4 MDD strange startup problem

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Oct 6, 2014 10:29 AM in response to Yiannis
    Level 10 (271,133 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 6, 2014 10:29 AM in response to Yiannis

    Is this happening on both drives, now? It's not clear if that's the case. Have you set the startup disk in Startup Disk preferences? Does this happen when you boot from the Tiger or Leopard installer discs?

  • by Yiannis,

    Yiannis Yiannis Oct 6, 2014 11:02 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (95 points)
    Oct 6, 2014 11:02 AM in response to Kappy

    It is happening on the main drive using Leopard.

    Second drive is a clone of the main drive but……….the same was happening using Tiger.

     

    Yes I have set startup disk on preferences

     

    I tried 3 restarts using the slave drive with success but had no luck with the main drive.

     

    Only after holding down the option key.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Oct 6, 2014 11:26 AM in response to Yiannis
    Level 10 (271,133 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 6, 2014 11:26 AM in response to Yiannis

    So, as I understand this only happens on the one drive - the main drive. Are you sure, given what you've described, that the "main drive" is connected to the correct cable connector? Usually, the drive ID is determined by its position on the drive cable. If I remember correctly the main drive is connected to the ribbon cable at the end of the cable while the second drive is connected to the middle connector (for a two drive cable.) Just a thought as it's been a while since I've used non-Intel machines. If this is the case then your slave drive may actually be the main drive and vice-versa.

     

    The other alternative if this always happens on this one drive that the drive itself is failing. Is it possible to replace it as a check?

  • by Yiannis,

    Yiannis Yiannis Oct 6, 2014 11:44 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (95 points)
    Oct 6, 2014 11:44 AM in response to Kappy

    I have the slave drive connected to the middle connector.

     

    I will replace main drive with the slave and connect it to my Mac Pro (via usb) to check it using DriveDX.

     

     

    I will report back later…thank you!

  • by Yiannis,

    Yiannis Yiannis Oct 7, 2014 5:25 AM in response to Yiannis
    Level 1 (95 points)
    Oct 7, 2014 5:25 AM in response to Yiannis

    Issue still remains after replacing  HD.

     

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Oct 7, 2014 9:30 AM in response to Yiannis
    Level 10 (271,133 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 7, 2014 9:30 AM in response to Yiannis

    Then I wonder if it isn't the drive itself. It may just be slow to startup, for example.

  • by Yiannis,

    Yiannis Yiannis Oct 7, 2014 11:46 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (95 points)
    Oct 7, 2014 11:46 AM in response to Kappy

    Well…I can hear the fans but I can not hear any drive spinning at all.Only black screen forever.

  • by Yiannis,

    Yiannis Yiannis Oct 20, 2014 5:44 AM in response to Yiannis
    Level 1 (95 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 5:44 AM in response to Yiannis

    I have done so many tests and I still get the same results……….I have also checked the powersupply voltages to the disks and are normal.I have even used an external PSU for the disk…..no luck!!!!!!

     

    Mac does not startup from the first attempt …maybe at the second  maybe after 3-4 attempts…...

     

    Anyone has a clue  on this???

     

     

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Oct 20, 2014 11:12 AM in response to Yiannis
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 11:12 AM in response to Yiannis

    As a test, hold alt key at power on, let it sit on the boot screen for 5 minutes or so, does it then boot OK?

  • by Yiannis,

    Yiannis Yiannis Oct 20, 2014 12:09 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (95 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 12:09 PM in response to BDAqua

    Keyboard is not working either in this situation……..

     

    I mean if the disks don't spin keyboard does not work too...

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Oct 20, 2014 12:32 PM in response to Yiannis
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 12:32 PM in response to Yiannis

    Do you have another USB Keyboard to try, or does this one have more than one alt key?

  • by Yiannis,

    Yiannis Yiannis Oct 21, 2014 7:18 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (95 points)
    Oct 21, 2014 7:18 AM in response to BDAqua

    I don't think its the keyboard because the light on the shift button down do not turn on.

    Yes it has two alt keys but I get the same results.

     

    I do have the one that came with my Mac Pro………I could give it a try but I think the same will happen

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Oct 21, 2014 12:02 PM in response to Yiannis
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Oct 21, 2014 12:02 PM in response to Yiannis

    Well, we're running out of ideas to try!

  • by Yiannis,

    Yiannis Yiannis Oct 21, 2014 12:11 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (95 points)
    Oct 21, 2014 12:11 PM in response to BDAqua

    Is there a possibility the logic board not power up properly ?

     

    This is driving me crazy!!!!!!! 

     

    What is the proper way to reset the PMU? Holding the button several seconds or not?

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