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User profile for user: sal777
sal777 Author
User level: Level 1
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Power light BLINKS 3 TIMES!!!!

I have a Dual 2.5ghz PowerPC and it was working fine until i took the airport card out, disconnected it from the little plug and when i tried to start the computer, the display was black and there were three blinking lights in both the display and the G5. I thought it was the display, connected it to a G4 and the display isn't the problem. Since I wasn't able to see anything in the screen, i turned off the computer leaving the power button pressed. I restarted it about 5-6 times and I still got the 3 blinking lights. I installed a new airport card extreme and it's still doing the same thing. I have not removed or messed with the RAM so I don't think that's the problem....any suggestions???
Please help!!!!

2.5 Dual G5 PowerPc Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Nov 21, 2005 9:41 PM

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11 replies
User profile for user: Thomas Bryant
Thomas Bryant
User level: Level 6
13,881 points

Nov 21, 2005 10:24 PM in response to sal777

Hello! You'll probably ahve to reset the PMU or SMU. Early G-5's had the PMU (power management unit) and later ones use a SMU. See if there's a small button nect ot the battery on the motherboard. If so press it once with the computer off and if it doesn't have the PMU unplug the power cable (115 volt) and let it sit for a few minutes and plug it back in. Then restart. Tom
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User profile for user: sal777
sal777 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 21, 2005 11:49 PM in response to Patrick F.

I just finished taking the RAM out and putting them back again and the same problem persists. Im gonna call Apple tomorrow and hopefully it's not something that bad. The problem began when I uninstalled the airport card and i didn't disconnect the firewire/usb/and other cables from behind the computer. I did, however, disconnected the computer from the AC. Could this have started the problem?
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User profile for user: sal777
sal777 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 22, 2005 1:26 PM in response to sal777

I GOT IT FIXED!!!!!!

I took the G5 to the Apple Store and the guy was really helpful and really nice! He took the G5 in for inspection and about 7 minutes later, he said that I had good news, that the problem was the RAM. He took out the old rams and put two new ones and it worked perfectly. The best part of this....I got it fixed for FREE!!! The computer wasn't even under warranty anymore. Kudos for him and for Apple for having such nice staff.

I want to thank all of you who contributed an answer.

SAL+
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User profile for user: Cinquito
Cinquito
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 28, 2005 7:37 PM in response to sal777

Hi there, help please!
I have a similar problem. I plugged in a LaCie hard drive into my PowerMac G5 and after 20 minutes, the computer started to make this hard noise, as if the fans were speeding up. I unplugged the computer cord. Tried to re-start it, but have no chime and the power light blinks 3 times. I have tried everything, P R+commoption keys, F O+commoption and even the restart button inside the motherboard.
Can't see anything on the screen either.
Any help?
Does anyone know what might cause this problem?
Thank you in advance!
Yours in desperation(!!!) Cinquito.
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Power light BLINKS 3 TIMES!!!!

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