iMac G4 Sound problems? Help please! : (

Question

iMac G4 Sound problems? Help please! : (

Hi, I've had my iMac G4 a few years now and no problems.

But now the sound has stopped working. It did this a couple of weeks ago then just came back on.

I've plugged a set of headphones into the iMac and that works fine, but nothing is coming out of the internal speaker inside the iMac, or the two speakers?

P.S. was making a clicking noise yesterday out of the speakers.

Can anyone help me on this please?

Thanks.

iMac G4 17 Inch Mac OS X (10.4.10) 1 GB DDR SDRAM

Posted on Jul 13, 2007 3:15 AM

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Answer 1

JIMacG5

Level 2

490 points

Jul 13, 2007 7:06 AM in response to Sound board problems

Try to reset the PRAM and then the SMU.

PRAM reset:

Power down, power on and quickly hold at the same time...the Apple, Option, P and R keys until you hear at least three chimes. Let go on the third chime.

SMU reset:

Power down, press and hold the power button until you hear a tone, then let go. It will now boot normally.

If you do not have sound after trying the above, post back for more suggestions.

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Answer 2

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jul 13, 2007 9:43 AM in response to JIMacG5

I agree with doing a PRAM reset as the first course of action, however the iMac (Flat Panel) does not have an SMU.

If that doesn't clear it try deleting the file: Macintosh HD > Library > Preferences > com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist.

mrtotes

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Answer 3

Jul 13, 2007 11:24 AM in response to JIMacG5

Hey thanks for the comment, I tried resetting the two things you said, but still nothing no sound. My friend told me the sound card is built into the motherboard. I don't understand because it still plays sound via the heaphones?

Thanks

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Answer 4

JIMacG5

Level 2

490 points

Jul 13, 2007 11:33 AM in response to Sound board problems

Rather the PMU.

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Answer 5

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jul 13, 2007 12:20 PM in response to Sound board problems

If you go to Apple menu > System Preferences... > Sound > Output tab does it read "Headhones", "Exterenal speakers" or "Internal speakers"?

The PMU is a sensitive component in the iMac G4 and Apple doesn't advise resetting it for routine troubleshooting; this is why it's hidden away under the dome and requires four screws to be undone to access it.

kind regards

mrtotes

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Answer 6

Jul 14, 2007 2:58 AM in response to mrtotes

Hi thanks for the reply. All that is in the Output tab under sound in system prefs is "headphones" and the port is "built-in Audio"?

The speakers one has disapeared?

Thanks again

iMac G4 17 Inch Mac OS X (10.4.10) 1 GB DDR SDRAM

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Answer 7

Jul 14, 2007 7:44 AM in response to JIMacG5

Thanks guys for your help, I reset the PMU inside my iMac and fiddled around abit with the speakers and it now works fine. It's now showing "External Spreakers" instead of "Headphones".

Thanks again : )

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Answer 8

JIMacG5

Level 2

490 points

Jul 14, 2007 9:04 AM in response to Sound board problems

Glad to hear your iMac is safe and "sound" now. I knew the PMU would do the trick. Take care.

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