PowerMac G4 Won't Start Up

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Level 2

188 points

PowerMac G4 Won't Start Up

I have a PowerMac G4 (Digital Audio) that will not start up. When I press the startup button, it glows for a fraction of a second and then goes out, and the computer does not start up. The computer was working fine last evening before I shut it down. Any suggestions would be welcome.

PowerMac G4 466 MHz (OS 10.4.11), MacBook Pro 2.2GHz (OS 10.5.4)

Posted on Sep 21, 2008 12:21 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Don Archibald

Level 10

101,623 points

Sep 21, 2008 12:45 PM in response to ldamario

Hi, Idamario -

First, try resetting the PMU -
Article #HT1939 - Resetting CUDA/PMU

If doing that fails to clear the problem, try replacing the internal battery - on many models, if that battery is too weak or dead the machine will have booting problems. These batteries have an expected life of 4 to 5 years under best circumstances; leaving the machine unplugged regularly or for extended periods will shorted the battery life.

It would not hurt to again reset the PMU when replacing the battery.

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Answer 2

ldamario Author

Level 2

188 points

Sep 21, 2008 2:46 PM in response to Don Archibald

Resetting the PMU fixed the problem. Thank you very much. I thought I was in for a time consuming and costly repair.

This computer is 7+ years old, so it's sounds like replacing the internal battery would be a good thing to do. Is this something a reasonably proficient user can do himself? Is there an article with instructions on how to do this?

Thanks again.

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Answer 3

Sep 21, 2008 9:50 PM in response to ldamario

Hi, Idamario -

You're quite welcome.

Is this something a reasonably proficient user can do himself? Is there an article with instructions on how to do this?

Yes, it is easy to do. Instructions can be found in the user's guide that came with the computer.

In case you no longer have that guide -

• Shut the machine down.

• Open the side panel door.

• Locate the battery. It's a half-length AA in size, horizontal in a holder on the main logic board - that's the large circuit board affixed to the inside of the side panel door.

• Remove the old battery.

• Insert the new battery.

• Close the machine back up.

***

You can obtain a new battery at places like RadioShack for about US$17, cheaper on-line. The description is: Lithium, 3.6V, 850mAh, one-half AA. The Apple part number is 922-4028; RadioShack's part number is 23-026. Some other vendors' units may have a higher mAh rating - that's fine if they do.

If you need to take the old battery with you to a store, note the orientation of the battery in its holder so that you can insert the new one pointed the same way; if the holder is marked you don't need to do that.

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