G5 freezes at log in, CD's won't boot it.

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G5 freezes at log in, CD's won't boot it.

I think these problems are related but I'm not sure: G5 freezes at log in, CD's won't boot it.

I just got my iBook fixed so now my G5 decided to give me **** ...

Anyway, my G5 is freezing on startup when it reaches the log in window. I tried inserting DiskWarrior to repair the directory. However, I can't get the computer to boot with it. Neither will it boot with DiskGenius and the OS X 10.4 disks. And I can't get the DiskWarrior CD out of the drive. I tried EJECT on start up and it doesn't work.

I tried a different keyboard before attempting to boot with the disks and it's not the keyboard.

I've added no new peripherals.

I added an update for Roxio's Toast and Stuffit Deluxe 12.0 yesterday and the freeze on log in started.

I finally got the computer to get past the log in once and was able to optimize first and repair permissions with Onyx. However, I was not able to reboot past the log in screen after I repaired permissions.

I did notice one of my drives making a high pitched squeak the other day but it hasn't since made that noise.

I've had to repair the volume several times lately and the size was incorrect every time. Does that mean that the HD is failing?

DiskWarrior had to change the volume and/or repair it several times before this happened.

I tried booting with the SHIFT key down and with the OPTION key down. Each time I come back to the same screen, log in and it's frozen. Both the mouse and the keyboard are frozen. The cursor flashes.

I have two hard drives so I attempted to open the other one. Didn't work. Anything else I can do before having to open the guts and disconnect the first hard drive.
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Lionyx
Dual 1.8GHz G5 RevA, Raptor 74GB HD, 160GB HD, GDrive 300GB FireWire/USB External HD, 3.5GB RAM (8 slots), 23" Cinema Display, Extreme Airport Station, APC SUA2200 UPS, 10.4.11

Message was edited by: Lionyx

Dual G5, Rev. A, 3.5GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Feb 11, 2008 9:25 AM

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Answer 1

Lionyx Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 15, 2008 5:22 PM in response to Lionyx

I'm hoping someone might help me. But no replies at all. Disappointed. 😟

Here's what I've tried so far and the results:
Tried Command-Eject to open CD/DVD drive: No
Option key: No
C key: No
Command-Control and Power after kernel panic. (Maybe I had one and didn't know it.): No
X key: No
Option-Command-Shift-Delete: No
Command-T: No
Shift: No
Command-Option-P-R keys: No

Nothing moves me from the frozen wasteland of my login screen.

No global warming here ... 😉

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Answer 2

Feb 17, 2008 5:48 AM in response to Lionyx

Hi Lionyx-

Are the keyboard and mouse wired?

This is for the CD eject problem: Ejecting a CD or DVD when all else fails

You may have a bad optical drive. You can try connecting and installing via Target Disk Mode: How to use FireWire target disk mode

Luck-

-DaddyPaycheck

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Answer 3

Feb 17, 2008 7:05 AM in response to Lionyx

Hi! Unhook the hard drives and see if it will boot to the install disc or the DW disk. If it does you probably have hard drive problems. Since you've had problems of late with the HD it has likely given up but if the secondary has a bootable system on it then if you get it to boot to the dvd then shutdown and reconnect the drive that may still be good. Tom

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Answer 4

Lionyx Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 18, 2008 4:49 PM in response to DaddyPaycheck

Hi DaddyPaycheck,
The keyboard and mouse are wired.

I finally retrieved my CD by sliding down the door and using a paperclip. My last resort.

My optical drive recorded a very readable CD just before the problem arose with login.

I tried connecting my iBook and the G5 using FireWire Target Mode. Nothing happened.

I was wondering if this is a PRAM battery problem. The last time I changed my battery - never. :o I purchased a new battery to put in and then looked up the instructions for changing it. The page which Apple shows isn't the correct battery for my Rev A G5. The battery on the page is flat and round. Mine looks like a 1/2AA size. Any ideas on how to do it? I don't see a cage on it.

Thanks.

Oh and my G5 has exhibited some of the signs of a dying PRAM battery:
frozen cursor
Mac looks to the correct drive to start off - what drive?
had date problems off and on
kept losing the network settings

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Answer 5

Feb 19, 2008 3:39 AM in response to Lionyx

Hi Lionyx-

Battery Replacement Instructions

Luck-

-DaddyPaycheck

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Answer 6

Feb 19, 2008 9:07 AM in response to DaddyPaycheck

This sounds to me like a G5 conspiracy.....

I don't really want to put another motherboard in this if I can help it. So far the battery replacement hasn't done anything either. I think that Apple should look into this one...

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Answer 7

Lionyx Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 26, 2008 12:45 PM in response to DaddyPaycheck

Hi,
I discovered the problem. It was obvious but I didn't look at it before. One of my CPU's is fried. EEK! It actually has a burnt odor to the unit. It's discolored and the other one is silver.

I found instructions for removing the covers off the CPUs but mine doesn't look like the one in the picture, a solid cover over both. Is it done the same way on a Rev. A G5? How difficult is it to replace the CPU? Is the other one always damaged? How about the logic board - is it always damaged? I have experience with fixing 8500's, 9600's, and upgrading on the G5.

I do remember this happening too. I heard a low hum and thought it was feedback from my sound system. Obviously, it was the CPU frying eggs. 😉

Any help on replacing the CPU would be greatly appreciated.

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