deane4work

Q: G5 PPC 4x2.5GHz Kernal Panic

Not sure of the full spec as it's not starting right now, but purchased in 2006 (last of PPC) Quad core 4 x 2.5GHz I have 6 GB RAM - 2x1GB original 2x2GB added.

 

Use it in line with my new iMac mainly for checking e-mails and a few other menial tasks (plus for some old software tasks) Has been a bit flaky recently sometimes starts, sometimes goes fan crazy during startup and the two red lights come on behind the cheese grater housing (mid LHS front by the power button).

 

Over the last couple of days it's become unusable. Either does not start in 20 goes (even with long rests between times.

 

If it does start can't get anything done before it crashes. Rinse and repeat!

 

Please be aware that I'm not at all IT orientated but have taken it apart and cleaned out the dust with a blower and PC battery hoover. Does not seem to be any leaks from the cooling system either.

 

Have done no special starts … are any recommended? Read a reset NVRAM post here but would not try anything like that without 100% confirmation from someone who knows my situation. http://alexking.org/blog/2006/12/15/powermac-quad-ram-fix

 

Any help greatly appreciated - Deano

G5 PPC 4 x 2.5GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Nov 18, 2014 11:34 AM

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Q: G5 PPC 4x2.5GHz Kernal Panic

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 18, 2014 3:31 PM in response to deane4work
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Nov 18, 2014 3:31 PM in response to deane4work

    Hello,

     

    Have you blown the dust out lately?

     

    A PRAM Reset won't hurt, but may not help.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 18, 2014 3:34 PM in response to deane4work
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Nov 18, 2014 3:34 PM in response to deane4work

    Duplicate.

  • by deane4work,

    deane4work deane4work Nov 18, 2014 10:28 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Nov 18, 2014 10:28 PM in response to BDAqua

    Thanks for the reply. You guys are great!

    The dust has been cleared out in the last week to 10 days was quite clean anyway.


    Tried the PRAM reset it started and made it to the restart but did not fully come to life.

     

    Could it be the RAM? Is there a way for a rookie like me to test if my RAM is working? Read something about trying the machine with pairs removed to find if one pair is the culprit or something. Is this as simple as it sounds?

     

    Read something about a battery I can change (PRAM), are these batteries generally available, is this simple to do and worth a try?

     

    Also I read something about an SMU reset button (I think it was SMU) located on the board by the memory slots (have to remove the fan unit to access) is this also something I should try and would this help in your opinion?

     

    Thanks again, in advance for any help - Deano

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 19, 2014 10:43 AM in response to deane4work
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Nov 19, 2014 10:43 AM in response to deane4work

    Read something about trying the machine with pairs removed to find if one pair is the culprit or something. Is this as simple as it sounds?

    Pretty much so, you just have to be sure they're is one opposing pair, 1 with 1, 2 with 2, etc...

     

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

     

    Sometimes it needs the inner slots filled.

    Read something about a battery I can change (PRAM), are these batteries generally available, is this simple to do and worth a try?

    Yes & Yes.

    Might be time to replace the PRAM Battery, 4 years is close to their lifespan, far less if ever without AC power, & can cause strange startup problems...

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/CR2032/ 

     

    Note polarity on removal/insertion.

     

    How to reset the SMU/PMU on a Power Mac G5 (Late 2004) or Power Mac G5 (Late 2005) ...

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1436

  • by deane4work,

    deane4work deane4work Nov 25, 2014 12:28 AM in response to deane4work
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Nov 25, 2014 12:28 AM in response to deane4work

    OK, so, tested RAM in pairs:

     

    The original 2x1Gb RAM pair alone allowed the machine to start but with racing fans even during start-up and machine went into sleep mode by itself and immediately crashed (could not wake and two red lights inside the housing indicated it was dead).

     

    The newer 2 x 2Gb RAM pair alone got half way through start-up with no racing fans (quietest its been for ages while on) but during grey screen with apple the grey curtain came down and the multi-lingual message came up.

     

    Have not tried swapping out the battery yet, could it still be that even if the clocks etc are all fine? Where to buy in Germany - if I get that model and code no

    (3V Lithium CR2032)

    at a non-computer shop will it be OK to use?

     

    Wasn't sure about the SMU button as my internal architecture didn't look anything like the one in the pic in the link.

     

    Any further assistance greatly appreciated.

  • by kaz-k,

    kaz-k kaz-k Nov 25, 2014 1:12 AM in response to deane4work
    Level 5 (5,789 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 25, 2014 1:12 AM in response to deane4work

    Any CR2032 Lithium Battery can use for PowerMac G5 or any other Mac which use CR2032.

    As for SMU, resetting it could solve the problem.

    How to reset the SMU on a Power Mac G5 (Late 2004) or Power Mac G5 (Late 2005) - Apple Support