MAYDAY.... mac down...mac down!!

Question

MAYDAY.... mac down...mac down!!

Two nights ago I downloaded a proposal from the Apple store for some new equipment I'm ordering. After about 45 min on the computer, looking over the proposal, I shut down for the night. When I went to turn on my computer the next day I got nothing.... no power 😟

I tried both power buttons (on the tower and on the monitor) nothing happened.... dead computer.

I swapped the power cord and replaced it with the one from my family's PC (same kind of cord 10A 120v) and nothing.

WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED????

I take very good care of my equipment... I'm the sole owner.... My G4 is going on 5 years.... I preform regular maintenance.... I have two internal drives that are not close to being filled...

ANY IDEAS??? I'm have been limited to a Compaq computer the last day. I've had enough and want to be back in my Mac environment. Please, any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance to all who respond...

Mr. GJ

Posted on Oct 16, 2005 9:22 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 16, 2005 9:30 AM in response to Mr. Green Jeans

Hi, Mr. GJ -

Try resetting the PMU -
Article #95037 - G4 (AGP) - Resetting PMU

Although that article is written around a G4 (AGP) model, the procedure applies to all G4s except the G4 (PCI) model. The location of the PMU button may vary from model to model.

Note the caution about pressing it only once. It is okay to hold it down for a few seconds (5 to 10 or so), but do not press it again until the Mac has been power cycled.

***

You may also need to replace the internal battery, if that has never been done before - your machine is old enough now that the battery may have died from age.

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Answer 2

Oct 16, 2005 9:37 AM in response to Don Archibald

Thanks Don,

Wish me luck, I'm going in....

I'll post back with my results

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Answer 3

Oct 16, 2005 9:53 AM in response to Don Archibald

I checked the battery on a battery tester, unfortunately I don't have the 3.6 Volt option, I have 1.5V to 6V. When I check the computer battery on the 1.5V, it tells me there is not enough juice in the battery. I'll make some calls to see who carries the 3.6V battery, hopefully go purchase one and get back with my results.

Thanks again

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Answer 4

Oct 16, 2005 11:19 AM in response to Mr. Green Jeans

Still no luck.....

I purchased a new 3.6 battery, replaced the old one... waited 10 sec... held down the small, circular, black button located next to the battery for 10 sec.... waited another 10 sec before connecting the power cord.. saw a small electrical current spark when I connected the cord, pressed the power button and still no power....

Any further input is welcome.
Thanks,
MR. GJ

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Answer 5

Oct 16, 2005 11:35 AM in response to Mr. Green Jeans

Mr. GJ:

The spark in the clear cord connector plug is normal. It indicates that you're getting power from the house circuit through the cord to the power supply.

Does the power/startup button on the front of the Mac light up when its depressed? It should light up for as long as you depress it. That would indicate that there's power getting through your power supply to the Mac's "innards".

If it does light momentarily, insure that your battery is inserted with the correct polarity (+ to+, - to -). Please post back either way.

Gary

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Answer 6

Oct 16, 2005 11:40 AM in response to Mr. Green Jeans

Hi
Are you also saying that the moniter wont turn on. I would first try the computer on an outlet that works, mabe the outlet is fried. If this does not work, the power supply may have died. You can pick a new one up from tigerdirect.com
pc powersupplys will wouk on a mac, just make sure you have enough watts.
Hope this helps
Patrick

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Answer 7

Oct 16, 2005 11:48 AM in response to Majordadusma

Thanks for getting involved Gary,

I get no signs of life except for the spark that occurs. No power button light, no chime, no fan, absolutely nothing when I hold in the power button....

I just picked up a new battery from Radio Shack, the + and - are lined up correctly in the battery slot..

I just reinserted the battery and looked for the momentary light you mentioned and no light...

Thanks again,
Mr. GJ

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Answer 8

Oct 16, 2005 11:55 AM in response to Patrick Allin1

Hi Patrick,

Anything I plug into this outlet works fine (except for my once reliable G4, including it's monitor).... other TV's, DV camera, DV deck, Computer speakers, etc. show power...

I've also tried the computer on another outlet and nothing..

The computer has been connected to this outlet for approx. a year in a half now....

Just to be clear....By the power supply do you mean the cord that connects the computer to the wall outlet.. if so I've already swapped my family's PC cord and still no power...

Thanks MR GJ

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Answer 9

Oct 16, 2005 12:00 PM in response to Mr. Green Jeans

hi
not the coard, the powersupply is inside the computer it would be a gray box that the cord plugs into. Smell the fan opening, is there a burnt smell?

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Answer 10

Oct 16, 2005 12:00 PM in response to Mr. Green Jeans

and just to make sure, id try the moniter on a defferent outlet, even though the current one works.

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Answer 11

Oct 16, 2005 12:04 PM in response to Mr. Green Jeans

oh, you did try another outlet...my bad:) anyway, do you have a printer connected to the outlet? is that working. Otherwise, there may have been a surge and fried the moniter and logic board...did you hace a surge protector?
-Patrick

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Answer 12

Oct 16, 2005 12:07 PM in response to Patrick Allin1

not sure what you mean about the monitor...

my monitor can only turn on when my tower has power. There is no way for me to power them individually.

I've already tried my tower on another outlet...

MR. GJ

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Answer 13

Oct 16, 2005 12:12 PM in response to Mr. Green Jeans

Hi
What kind of moniter do you have? This could help

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Answer 14

Oct 16, 2005 12:14 PM in response to Patrick Allin1

My computer has always been connected to a surge protector. In troubleshooting, I have connected everything I use with the computer to the power strip and then again to the wall. Same results, everything but the G4 turns on. As for my printer, I connect the printer to the wall as I need it (I don't leave it plugged in).... just to answer your printer question...the printer still turns on fine when connected to either the wall or the strip.

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Answer 15

Oct 16, 2005 12:16 PM in response to Patrick Allin1

The monitor that came with the G4..

Apple 15"

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