Fixed boot to gray screen/fans at full blast but new issue arose...

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Fixed boot to gray screen/fans at full blast but new issue arose...

Yesterday morning my Mac didn't boot, going only to the gray screen with the Apple logo, no beachball spinning, and eventually the fans revving up to high speed.

I searched this forum and tried the various suggestions, eventually reseating the RAM and all appeared well. Except that now when I check Memory configuration in the 'About This Mac', the J13 and J14 slots say empty. However, there are physical RAM sticks in those slots.

From reading a few entries concerning this I found that either that memory is bad and/or possibly this is a prelude to a logic board failure. Logic board failure isn't very settling news. If this is a sign that the logic board may be dying are there other diagnostics/tests I can do to let me know if I should start hoarding pennies and be prepared to buy another computer? And in the meantime is it advisable to install 2 new memory kits I recently bought, one kit replacing the dead memory or best to leave them unopened.

This may be best as a separate question but it's likely a symptom of something with what's happening. I use Illustrator and Photoshop daily. Today when I saved files as I worked on them they don't show up in the Window for the project as they normally would. They just aren't there. I can go to Illustrator or Photoshop and look for files under File in the menu and they're listed there.

As a test I opened an older Photoshop document that wasn't going to be used again, resaved it as the same document but it wasn't listed in the Window any longer either. Has anybody experienced this and any ideas for a remedy?

Thanks.

Dual 2GHz G5, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jun 22, 2009 2:33 PM

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Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Jun 22, 2009 4:30 PM in response to Limefire

Run Memtest/Rember and Apple Hardware Test

Pull the two sticks and reset nvram.

Replace RAM with two new sticks and try with JUST the new RAM.

Divide and conquer until you find if it is RAM, RAM slot, or something else.

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Answer 2

Limefire Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 29, 2009 2:16 PM in response to The hatter

I couldn't get my computer to boot from the Install DVD 1 although I was able to run Memtest and Rember. Nothing negative showed up in the reports when my computer did start. I pulled memory in stick pairs, 2 at a time but always had trepidation about restarting my computer to reset nvram as it could take 20 tries over a couple of hours before I'd get past the gray screen. All the RAM seems fine.

I finally had to put the diagnostics aside and work on projects during last week but didn't shut my computer down at night so that I had a reasonable chance of working the next day. I finally shut it down for the weekend. It took 4 1/2 hours and 33 tries before it finally got past the gray screen this morning. Since I back up to an external hard drive daily via SuperDuper I was able to hook that drive to my old G4 and work (slowly) today while trying to get the G5 to boot.

When the G5 started today I had a message that stated 'The computer was restarted after Mac OS X quit unexpectedly'. I'm a bit concerned on how to run these tests when it takes so long to restart my computer. I'll get back to it this weekend but if there's any suggestions or information that means anything to those of you who know Macs I would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks.

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Answer 3

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Jun 30, 2009 3:54 AM in response to Limefire

Check out these two free apps and see if your Mac is burning up. Probably not.
http://www.bresink.com/osx/TemperatureMonitor.html
http://www.islayer.com/apps/

Then, or before, you might want to check out this post for some hints and tips. Good luck.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9723099#9723099

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Answer 4

Limefire Author

Level 1

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Jun 30, 2009 5:00 AM in response to Samsara

Thanks for the reply Samsara! I downloaded Bresink's Temperature Monitor and right away discovered that the Memory Controller Heatsink sits at around 73ºC and exceeds 75ºC quite regularly. I have several pressing projects that I've got to try to get out of the way before shutting my computer down to do a good internal cleaning to see if that helps resolve my issues.

Greatly appreciated.

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Answer 5

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Jun 30, 2009 6:09 AM in response to Limefire

To tell you the truth, I can't remember if that's an exceptionally high temperature or not. It sounds like it is. That's always the hottest component anyway and G5s run very hot by nature. I know that at least in the full version he gives temperature ranges the Mac should fall within, but not for everything and it varies by machine.

Yeah, heat is the number one enemy of your G5. And dust is probably the leading cause of allowing it to build up. You'll probably be amazed by how much dust is in there. I sure was when I opened one of my macs.

So yes, get in there and give it a really good cleaning. For your own peace of mind anyway, it may not be bad at all. And pay special note to how the other poster resolved his problems. People frequently overlook the harm done by a video card whose slot is either filled with dirt, or is starting to go.

Best of luck to you,
Steve

PS: Of course, write back if nothing works for you. I can't think of anything more you can try, but there always seems to be one more thing.

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Answer 6

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Jun 30, 2009 6:41 AM in response to Limefire

A computer that won't boot into Open Firmware, if it is a PowerMac, isn't a Mac long for this earth.

I don't know what that sounds like, weak or bad battery, PSU dying, PMU that needs a good paddle...

It should do the OF and reset-nvram at the blink of an eye.

And I wouldn't trust even the keyboard as they can be the source of panics and electrical interference. Anyone remember those USB dongle devices that could be used in the past to power on G3/4? they could also short things out. All to avoid having to reach the front power-on button.

Sometimes, rather than test and test, and more tests, just throw in known good new RAM, disk drive, fresh install, whatever you can. Faster and you are on your way. Hours or days ahead.

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Answer 7

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Jun 30, 2009 6:59 AM in response to The hatter

Geez, I always forget about the battery...

And I also forgot about disconnecting every device except keyboard and mouse and starting it up to see if there is any difference. Hoping of course the problem involves neither. Yeah, that would be good to try.
But this poster has my admiration. Using Superduper daily is a very wise thing to do. In both the worst and best case scenario, his data is completely safe.

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Answer 8

Limefire Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 4, 2009 6:32 AM in response to The hatter

Hatter pretty much hit it on the head, my G5 is toast. I managed to get it restarted one more time and attempted to do one more backup but it locked up part way through and that seems to have been it. I can hear it power on when I push the power button but there is no white power-on light, no chime and the fans never rev up anymore.

I ran every test I could try that was suggested but never could get it to boot in open firmware, boot off the OS X disc, DiskWarrior, reset nvram, etc.

Thanks for the suggestions and comments and for all the content I found in this discussion group.

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Answer 9

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Jul 4, 2009 7:40 AM in response to Limefire

I'm sorry it turned out like that. Parts, if you want to go through the trouble. My ex-G5's still sit around here, somewhere.. 1 dead one, 1 dying, one that works like G5s should have, but who knows what is goes to happen and when. No, it looks good. It should be OK for quite a while. Special cookies on one day, in the Mac cafeterias around the world or something.

Well, if you are able to upgrade to a most recent Mac Pro, you will not be unhappy. That's all I can think to say. Rubbish gone, quality, in. I was surprised myself.

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