JOS
Level 1 (5 points)

Q: iMac G5 (May 2005) with no OS installed; have original discs.

An elderly relative somehow wiped her iMac G5 20" completely. She has the original OS discs that came with the computer. I want to reinstall the OS for her from the original discs but can't figure out how to do this. When I turn the machine on it beeps a few times, screen remains black (of course, with no OS). The DVD install disc (1 of 2) doesn't stay in the slot. I just have no idea how to reinstall. What am I missing and what is the procedure in a situation like this?

Posted on Jan 23, 2016 5:31 PM

by Kenichi Watanabe,Solvedanswer
Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe
Level 8 (38,490 points)
Mac OS X
A:

When you push the power button on iMac, do you hear the iMac starting up, like the sound of hard drive spinning up and fans?  The screen is just not coming on...  OR, is the iMac completely dead (not reaction to pushing power button)?

 

This web site has repair guides for iMac G5 (including replacement of PRAM battery). 

 

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_G5

 

The older iMac G5 design (without built-in iSight camera) has a back panel that comes off easily, making access to PRAM battery fairly simple.  The part is a common inexpensive battery, like this one at OWC

 

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/CR2032/

Posted on Jan 26, 2016 5:17 PM

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JOS

Q: iMac G5 (May 2005) with no OS installed; have original discs.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jan 23, 2016 5:39 PM in response to JOS
    Level 10 (312,075 points)
    Jan 23, 2016 5:39 PM in response to JOS

    If there are three or fewer beeps, either there's a problem with the RAM or the disk you're using is too old. If there are four or more, the computer needs to be repaired.

     

    (138741)

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,Helpful

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Jan 23, 2016 9:05 PM in response to JOS
    Level 8 (38,490 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 23, 2016 9:05 PM in response to JOS

    There may be something else wrong with the iMac.  When you turn it ON, if there is no system, it will not start up.  BUT, the screen should come ON (not remain black) and display some indication that there is no system found.

     

    Before attempting anything else, try doing the Reset SMU (power management) procedure.  For most desktop Macs, unplugging the Mac for a few minutes, then reconnecting to power should do that, but this article has more details (I could not find the Apple document on the topic)

     

    http://www.ehow.com/how_2091889_reset-smu-imac-g5.html

     

    Not starting up can also be caused the PRAM battery becoming weak or dead.

     

    It is likely that that your elderly relative's data is still safely stored on the internal drive, if the cause of iMac not starting up is something else.  If the iMac remains non-functional, you should be able to remove the internal drive, place it in an appropriate external drive case, and retrieve the data (to restore on a new Mac).

  • by JOS,

    JOS JOS Jan 23, 2016 9:05 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 23, 2016 9:05 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Thank you for the hints. After resetting the SMU I started the iMac up and got no beeps, but still the black screen. This iMac has been used very little except for email, but it's old and I guess it could be the PRAM battery or something else. I will try your other suggestion. I"m now afraid there are other issues.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,Solvedanswer

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Jan 26, 2016 5:17 PM in response to JOS
    Level 8 (38,490 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 26, 2016 5:17 PM in response to JOS

    When you push the power button on iMac, do you hear the iMac starting up, like the sound of hard drive spinning up and fans?  The screen is just not coming on...  OR, is the iMac completely dead (not reaction to pushing power button)?

     

    This web site has repair guides for iMac G5 (including replacement of PRAM battery). 

     

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_G5

     

    The older iMac G5 design (without built-in iSight camera) has a back panel that comes off easily, making access to PRAM battery fairly simple.  The part is a common inexpensive battery, like this one at OWC

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/CR2032/

  • by JOS,

    JOS JOS Jan 24, 2016 1:20 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 24, 2016 1:20 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Trying to start up the second time I reset the SMU, I got the startup chime for the first time. There followed a message to restart. I did, but nothing. Black screen again. I also tried starting up from the install DVD, but got nothing but the black screen. Had to eject the DVD by holding down the mouse button on the next startup.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Jan 26, 2016 6:49 PM in response to JOS
    Level 8 (38,490 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 26, 2016 6:49 PM in response to JOS

    You marked the topic Solved, but if it isn't, since you get the startup sound now, try doing a PRAM ("NVRAM") reset.  There are some display related settings stored in PRAM.

     

    How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support