nunotuna

Q: My powermac g4 starts up and shuts down immediately after. Why?

I have a Powermac G4 (PowerPC 7455) dual 1.42 GHz, 2x120 GB hard disks, 2x150 GB hard disks, 4x500 GB Ram

I erased all disk and started to install Leopard on one of the 120 GB disk and, during the installation it freezed.

I had to force shutdown and since then it's been impossible to try the Mac Osx install again. Everytime I push the start up button, 1 second after the startup sound  it shuts down. Can anyone help me.

Posted on Apr 5, 2015 1:38 PM

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Q: My powermac g4 starts up and shuts down immediately after. Why?

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Apr 6, 2015 10:21 AM in response to nunotuna
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Apr 6, 2015 10:21 AM in response to nunotuna

    Hi, I don't know how fast it shuts down, but...

     

    How to reset the SMU/PMU on a Power Mac earlier G3, G4, G5 models...

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1939

     

    Have you done a PRAM reset, CMD+Option+p+r...

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

     

    In fact, do 3 in a row, takes a bit of time.

     

    Does it boot into Open  Firmware with CMD+Option+o+f ?

     

    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42642

     

    reset-nvram (press Enter)

    set-defaults (press Enter)

    reset-all (press Enter)

  • by nunotuna,

    nunotuna nunotuna Apr 6, 2015 10:35 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 6, 2015 10:35 AM in response to BDAqua

    Hi BDAqua.

    Thanks for the quick reply. I did try to reset the PRAM with no results whatsoever. I installed Leopard remotely from my imac last night having the G4 as target disk and it continues not recognizing the assigned system disk. I guess it's because the installation adapted to the host iMac parameters and not to the G4's.

    I will try all those commands you're suggesting tonight and get back to you.

     

    Thanks again!

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Apr 6, 2015 11:33 AM in response to nunotuna
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Apr 6, 2015 11:33 AM in response to nunotuna

    Is the iMac Intel or PPC?

     

    An IntelMac would install a non workable, non bootable version.

  • by nunotuna,

    nunotuna nunotuna Apr 6, 2015 12:35 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 6, 2015 12:35 PM in response to BDAqua

    This what I've tried:

    iMac 2.66 Intel Core 2 Duo ----> Mac OSX Leopard 10.5 Install DVD ---> PPC G4 (target mode)

    I successfully installed it but when I tried to turn the G4 it fired up and shut down immediately after. Now it just lights up the start up button and has no reaction whatsoever. Like when you start up a car and it has no battery.

     

    I've been working with Macs since early nineties and I got used to solve my own software and hardware problems but I'm getting desperate with this one because I've tried all the "tricks" I know unsuccessfuly.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Apr 6, 2015 12:56 PM in response to nunotuna
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Apr 6, 2015 12:56 PM in response to nunotuna

    OK, we need to do it the other way, put the Install Disc in the iMac, boot the iMac in target mode, ( this will make the iMac a big Firewire Optical drive), then try booting the G4 holding the alt key or option key to select the Install Disc to boot from.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Apr 6, 2015 12:57 PM in response to nunotuna
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Apr 6, 2015 12:57 PM in response to nunotuna

    Oh, that's assuming the 10.5 Install Disc is a Retail one & not a gray machine specific version.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Apr 6, 2015 1:13 PM in response to nunotuna
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Apr 6, 2015 1:13 PM in response to nunotuna

    Ah, one other thing, it may have reformatted the drive to GUID Partition scheme, which IntelMacs need but PPC Macs can only boot from APM partition scheme, so reformat may be needed.

  • by nunotuna,

    nunotuna nunotuna Apr 6, 2015 7:08 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 6, 2015 7:08 PM in response to BDAqua

    I will do that and will get back to you in a couple days.

    Thanks BDAqua!

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Apr 6, 2015 8:45 PM in response to nunotuna
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Apr 6, 2015 8:45 PM in response to nunotuna

    OK, I think we''re on course to resolution of this!

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Apr 9, 2015 8:12 AM in response to nunotuna
    Level 9 (54,036 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 9, 2015 8:12 AM in response to nunotuna

    nunotuna wrote:

    Like when you start up a car and it has no battery.

    How old is the PRAM battery?  It could be corrupting PRAM if it is weak.

  • by nunotuna,

    nunotuna nunotuna Apr 12, 2015 1:32 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 12, 2015 1:32 PM in response to BDAqua

    Hi, BdAqua!

     

    My G4 started powering up again, finally. I tried everything you said. Formatted a pen with the OS with the Apple formatting thingy (not GUID) connected both imac and G4 through Firewire cable, started my iMac on target mode and then the G4 pressing the ALT key. A select drive screen appears with the two deficiently formatted G4's HDs but the System Pen didn't appear on that screen.

     

    There's still a chance of pulling out one of the G4's HD, put it on an external drive deck, format it and install the system.

     

    @Limnos was suggesting the problem could be the PRAM motherboard battery being depleted. That's possible, I will have to check it with a friend and will get back to you both.

     

    Cheers!

  • by nunotuna,

    nunotuna nunotuna Apr 12, 2015 1:34 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 12, 2015 1:34 PM in response to Limnos

    HI Limnos!

    Check the reply to BDAqua.

    Yes. Might be the PRAM battery. I'll try to buy one tomorrow and I'll get back to you both.

    Cheers!

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Apr 12, 2015 2:15 PM in response to nunotuna
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Apr 12, 2015 2:15 PM in response to nunotuna

    Target mode will only help with aG4 Install DVD in the iMac, or a partition on the iMac's internal drive that has a clone of the G4 Install Disc on it... USB won't work.

  • by nunotuna,

    nunotuna nunotuna Apr 12, 2015 2:23 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 12, 2015 2:23 PM in response to BDAqua

    So you're saying it would work just by "targetting" with the install disc itself? Geez. Where did I get the idea of using a pen? I've read so many forum threads I mixed up everything!

    Be back in about two hours give or take.

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