how do i remove blown power supply (g5 dual 2.7)?

my powermac g5 (dual processor 2.7Ghz) has blown it's power supply and i'm struggling to remove it. I'm at the point where i need 'screwdriver' style allen keys to remove the water cooling system (I hope i'm right in thinking that once this is out i can somehow get the power supply out from the bottom of the case).

with the machine lying down, looking down into the cooling system i can see 6 hex style screws (4 in corners, 2 in middle), 4 star style screws (2 at edges, 2 in the middle).

which ones do i need to undo to lift the entire cooling system off? i don't want to risk damaging the cooling system by unscrewing everything i see.

g5 dual 2.7

Posted on Mar 9, 2008 12:03 PM

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8 replies

Mar 10, 2008 2:43 PM in response to morganw

i've managed to get it out now, the cooling system was removed by undoing all hexagonal and star screws, and the hardest part to remove was actually the 'floor' that sits above the power supply, everything seems to be designed millimeter tight.

hopefully it's only the power supply that was damaged, i'm getting a refurbished one because i can't afford to take it to an apple store which would be 3 times the price. If the mainboard is damaged though i'm done as i can't afford to buy a replacement.

i ended up using bits of this
http://www.sharpeningbeneath.com/g5guide/

the cooling system is all different, but it is helpful in other places.

Mar 10, 2008 8:48 PM in response to morganw

That's a great page. Much better than the one what I pointed you to, which, seen in the light of adequate sleep had nothing on it to help you at all. But there is, somewhere buried on Apple's servers, a take apart guide for our Macs. I changed the name of my copy though so I could not find it on a link.
It's a pdf with this on the e-cover:
 Service Source
© 2005 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.
Power Mac G5
Power Mac G5, Power Mac G5 (June 2004), Power Mac G5 (Early 2005)
Updated: 27 May 2005

What are you going to do about replacing the CPU cover locking pin?

Mar 11, 2008 1:23 PM in response to Samsara

The cpu locking pin... you mean that tiny plastic peg with a plastic core? I'm hoping that it'll go straight back in. I managed to snag the top of it with a pin and remove the core without damaging it, then managed to work the outer piece lose. I know what you mean though, it's not very robust and seems (like the rest of case) to discourage people poking around inside. I was quite lucky to get it out without breaking it, it certainly looks disposable.
My power supply has been sent off in an exchange scheme for a refurbished one, so hopefully in a few days i'll actually be ablt to put the thing back together. I am worried about the allignment of the cooling system on the way back in, hopefully the two processor sockets will line up easily but i won't be able to see properly as my view will be blocked.

Oh yeah, while i have the attention of someone else who has the same mac as me... Did or does your power supply every make a small bang and blue flash when you switch the mains on. Mine did everytime for two years, then last week there was a large bang and a large blue flash and it was dead. I spoke to someone at an applestore and they told me the small bang and flash was normal for the machine, i'm sceptical. Just wandered what yours does?

Mar 11, 2008 2:19 PM in response to morganw

Supposedly that pin or part of it breaks off when you remove the cover. It sounds like you managed to get it off without too much trauma though. Overall you seem much more hands on able than I. I wish I could get this Manual I have to you. Not as detailed as that web page but good info.

No, no small bang or flash, I just checked. Do you have problems starting your Mac if you've just recently turned it off? Do you have distractingly loud fan noise at times? The dust that guy found in his Mac was amazing. I may have that problem too. Have you found much dust?

Mar 11, 2008 2:23 PM in response to Samsara

"Procedure:
Locate the locking rivet that secures the processor heatsink cover to the PCI divider.
Using a mat knife or Xacto knife, pry up and remove the plug at the center of the locking
rivet. Warning: If you are not certified to service this product, removing the rivet will void the
computer’s warranty.
Replacement Note: For Power Mac G5 (June 2004 Dual 1.8/2.0 GHz and Early 2005 Dual
2.0/2.3 GHz) computers, you do not need to replace the rivet after you have replaced the
heatsink cover. For Power Mac G5 (June 2004 Dual 2.5 GHz and Early 2005 Dual 2.7 GHz)
computers, you must replace the rivet. Extra rivets are available as part number 922-6503."

Mar 12, 2008 12:42 PM in response to Samsara

Thanks for the official procedure, that rivet defiinitly looks like it's meant to break as it is removed. I'll see if i can unhide my email address on my profile for this site and maybe you could email me the file?

My machine didn't have much dust in it at all, and it never had any problems starting, suspending or resuming. It did sound like it was about to take off sometimes when i was loading the processor. I mainly do stuff in Logic and there is always moderate fan noise while i was operarting the program, and then when it came time to bounce the audio out and the processors were at 100% it made a **** of noise. Also got really hot, would heat the room on a cold day no problem. Overall though considering the heat the thing was producing i dont think the fan noise was excessive though. In fact overall i was really pleased with the machine, but after reading around on the internet it probably seems to be the worst piece of hardware that apple have ever designed.

When i spoke to the company who i'm getting the refurbished psu from, they couldn't understand where the blue flashes could have come from. Initially i thought the light must have flashed out of the fans on the power supply but i've sinced realised the fans are on the front not the back - and the flashes definitly came from the back. They suggested maybe i had a dodgy power lead, so now im worried about the board and processors.

Mar 12, 2008 5:18 PM in response to morganw

Email me here, no5mki@gmail.com, and I'll send it to you. It's almost 27 megs though so be prepared.

I had a 2.0 that ran rock solid before leopard killed it dead. The 2.7 was my dream machine when it came out so I got one used. I've maxed it out and it beats the 2.0 hands down. I'm not even sure a quad would be much better. It's the last in the line for me as I have no need to go intel. It's a great machine when it runs well. 2.7 owners do have to pay a little more attention to things like coolant leaks and maybe forest fires.
I've never gotten below the heat sink cover to see what's in there. The dust that gentleman found has me wanting to get in there and see. Especially since the fan noise has been my main complaint since I got this mac.

I see red lights, a pattern lighting up in the left back looking through the front cover, when it won't start, after being on for a while before.
Blue lights, red... can't be good.

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how do i remove blown power supply (g5 dual 2.7)?

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