Signs of a bad motherboard or CPU card?

Hi Ed,

Can it run for an extended time just by starting up from your OS disk?

Was there a problem with the Tiger installation? You get the same results running from your Panther HD and your Tiger HD?

You say you have the original install disks. On one of them there will be the Apple Hardware Test. See if you can start up with that disk long enough to read the instructions and then run it. It's usually on the disk with the instructions but not always, and is not always visible, but to access the test you would start up with that disc in the drive and press, I think, option, until it boots and then choose the Test. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that.

That test is a good place to start. You could reset PRAM, NVRAM or press the PMU button. Might do something. But your mac has been monkeyed with maybe. That may mean that all the usual fixes were tried already then someone decided to get a closer look by taking the heat shield off. Of course, just taking off that cover doesn't mean that anything was done in there. The cover comes off easy enough for people to take it off and look and clean.

How much RAM do you have? Any peripherals; USB, Firewire... Did you use the install disk to format your drives?

There are different discs that can have an OS on them, your installation disks have the one kind, that is it won't work on a different model. The other type is the kind you would buy in an Apple store if you wanted to get a new OS. That would work on all compatible models, not just one.

So this is really interesting that you've been booted in Panther for all this time. If your machine can run fine that way, I would think the good news is that none of your problems are hardware related. Perhaps it was a botched install. I wonder how you could download 10.4 from Apple? If you could start up long enough in Tiger you could try doing a software update and see how far you get. If you got it all, I wonder if that might cure some ills by itself.

Nothing about Apple Hardware Test on either disc? You can still try this on either install disc that came with your computer even if you can't find it. It still may be there. This is from the manual:
To use Apple Hardware Test:
1 Disconnect all external devices from your computer except the keyboard and mouse.
If you have an Ethernet cable connected, disconnect it.
2 Insert the “Additional Software & Apple Hardware Test” disc that came with your
computer.
3 Restart your computer and hold down the “C” key as it starts up. A list of available
startup volumes appears. Click Apple Hardware Test and click the right arrow.
4 When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears after about 45 seconds, follow the
onscreen instructions.
5 If Apple Hardware Test detects a problem, it displays an error code. Make a note of the
error code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test does not detect a
hardware failure, the problem may be software related.
For more information about Apple Hardware Test, see the Apple Hardware Test Read
Me file on the “Additional Software & Apple Hardware Test” disc.

Edit: I remember the option or "D" key used also. I'll try to track that down.
Edit2: On late 2005 macs it's the option key

Message was edited by: Samsara

Message was edited by: Samsara

I'll just buy a copy of the G5 Tiger install discs and re-do the install myself.

Or Leopard! Post back when you've updated, I'd like to know that its up and working. Good luck.

Steve

Hi Ed,

I couldn't get the "this" to work but I'll take your word for it. Congratulations, I would never have thought it had something to do with the graphics card. Thanks for the rating though 🙂

I wish you continued success. Thanks for posting back and thanks from those who will profit from your experience.

I tried "this" link and "that" worked 🙂

Interesting stuff and thanks for turning me on to that site.

These forums are a great resource, and I think your tech savvy would greatly add to it. Come back often and see us, y'hear?