Pretty sure my DC 2.0 Oct 2005 PMG5 just died

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Level 1

35 points

Pretty sure my DC 2.0 Oct 2005 PMG5 just died

What was first just a series of random computer lock-ups (to which I thought it was a HDD failing) now appears to be something bigger. LED 7 as per Apple's support site is staying on after I press the power button and OS X 10.5.4 won't load.

Unfortunately this is a dual core 2.0 GHz PMG5 that I purchased in Oct 2005 and I didn't opt to purchase Apple Care, so I'm definitely out of the warranty period. I know I have to call Apple for details/get help, but I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem and the likely scenario. Please let me know if you need more information.

PowerMac G5 2.0 Dual Core; MBA 1.6/80; iPhone 3G/White, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Aug 14, 2008 4:59 AM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

85,366 points

Aug 14, 2008 9:29 AM in response to Mhaddy

While it doesn't happen to everyone, numerous causes can be to blame:

1. A firmware update not properly applied.
2. A clock battery dying before its normal time.
3. Bad power source allowing brownouts to affect the computer.
4. Bad RAM overheating and causing bad timing of signals across the motherboard.

Sometimes resetting the PMU can solve problems, if the clock battery is brand new. Otherwise I'd contact an authorized service center, and more closely observe the power requirements of your Mac before you plug it in an outlet that can't handle the power. Any brownouts or surges can damage equipment.

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Answer 2

Mhaddy Author

Level 1

35 points

Aug 15, 2008 5:11 AM in response to Mhaddy

No good news from my end. Went home and reset the PRAM and SMU, no luck. Opened the case up and ensured that all cards/RAM were firmly seated, no luck. Called Apple Support and chatted with them for a good 20 minutes, no luck. Apparently LED #7 is a "CPU related-issue" but when I probed for more information, that's all he could tell me without closer inspection (which makes sense given the range of problems that could exist).

So my PMG5 is going to an Authorized Apple dealer to get fixed... we'll see how much that costs. Given that even the cheapest refurbished Mac Pro models on Apple Canada's Education Store is $2100+tax while new runs run for $2700 and above, I'm not sure what to do. If it's a simple CPU replacement, that should only be ~$150-200, which I think is reasonable. Anything more (i.e., logic board) - I don't know if it's worth investing another $800-1000 in an aging and becoming increasingly legacy system.

Thoughts?

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Answer 3

a brody

Level 10

85,366 points

Aug 15, 2008 5:17 AM in response to Mhaddy

You might seriously want to consider getting a new iMac. There is very little the new iMacs can't do that the Mac Pros can. They are much cheaper than the Mac Pros, and unless you are doing real high end work, a Mac Pro is usually overkill.

I would add though, you might want to also look at the used and refurbished Mac market*:

http://www.macmaps.com/usedrefurbished.html

I know not many of these sell to Canada, but if you get a sense what it costs in the U.S. for your particular needs, perhaps Google can track down a good one in Canada.

Note, new Macs made after October 26, 2007, will not boot into Tiger, and will only boot into Leopard. If you found any compatibility issues with Leopard, you may want to stick to an older Mac.

- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

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Answer 4

Mhaddy Author

Level 1

35 points

Aug 15, 2008 10:55 AM in response to a brody

The only problem for me going to an iMac is that I've already invested in a pair of LCD monitors (20" Dell widescreen and a 37" HDTV doubling as a monitor). Though I suppose I could depart with the smaller one... and get the 24" iMac instead. Still, I do like the form factor of the Mac Pro/PowerMac... I like the desktops and the power they afford. I find myself doing less video editing and really power-intensive tasks nowadays, but having the power there when/if I need it, is nice to know.

I will seriously look into refurbished models, regardless of the form factor that I finally decide upon (if it comes to getting a new computer!).

Message was edited by: Mhaddy

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