1999 iMac G3 DV 400MHz Startup Issue

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Level 1

19 points

1999 iMac G3 DV 400MHz Startup Issue

Hello everyone!

I’ve been using discussions a lot lately and haven’t had too much luck with it but this time, I’m pretty desperate.

I acquired a beautiful 1999 grape iMac G3 DV 400MHz Perfectly Working for free. I made a fresh install of Mac OS 9, Upgraded the original 64MB of RAM to 320MB still keeping the original 64MB RAM stick and the computer seemed perfectly fine with these upgrades as it displayed in “About this Mac” the correct 320MB of RAM and everything else.

Now I wanted to install Mac OS 10.3 on this thing and do a dual boot because in May I’m hoping to Display this thing playing a bunch of old Mac ads at a computer show and I heard that QuickTime is a lot better in 10.3 than it is in 9 so I thought why not. I had all the requirements so I went ahead.

So I had these 10.3 install disks that came with my iBook G4 and even though it’s a different systems install disks, I’ve had no problems with installing software from another computer on to something like this so I thought it would be fine.

So I booted it up with the first install CD but even though it booted very slowly, it did eventually but it froze at the Setup page and then the screen went blue with a loading symbol.

It wouldn't respond to any commands or even the power button so I unplugged it hoping to restart the process however that’s when the bad stuff started happening.

When I pressed the button, the green light came on and I could hear all the normal noises like the Startup Chime, CRT buzz, Hard Drive, CD drive, etc.

However, about 3 seconds after the chime, the thing just shut off without any warning. The CRT shut off, the hard drive, the lights, everything. I tried turning it on again but only the green light stayed on and I couldn’t hear anything else.

I have no idea what is going on here but it doesn’t seem like it’s going to recover alone since I left it over night to no avail.

I’d also like to mention that I don’t have any other identical computers like this so I can’t swap parts and the closest thing I have is an original iMac G3 however I heard that these two are completely different on the inside.

I’m hoping someone can help me with this because I have never had an issue like this before and I’m gonna need it by May.

Thank you all!

Here’s a picture of the thing in question:

(Photo taken months before incident)

Posted on Feb 4, 2019 4:26 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jeff

Level 6

12,334 points

Feb 4, 2019 9:33 PM in response to Mastergeko4

While you had OS 9 installed, you should have run the Mac OS 9.1 Update. Following that and while booted from the internal hard drive running OS 9.1, you needed to run the iMac Firmware Update 4.1.9, before attempting to install Mac OS 10.2, 10.3, or 10.4. If you do a Google search about your problem (installed Mac OS X without updating iMac's firmware), you may still find one of the websites that provided a workaround (some years ago) for restoring normal operation. Since Apple has discontinued some of the older downloads, you can find the firmware update here.

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Answer 2

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,160 points

Feb 4, 2019 6:25 PM in response to Mastergeko4

Welcome!

We have the same model, retained for sentimental reasons if nothing else. And we have a range of similar symptoms with it. Things to consider:

“I have is an original iMac G3 however I heard that these two are completely different on the inside.”

Yes, the tray-loading iMac G3s are very different from the slot-loaders like yours.

"So I had these 10.3 install disks that came with my iBook G4..."

Pre-OSX, hardware-specific disks from one Mac model commonly installed a workable OS on another Mac. I've done it too. When OSX rolled out, the chances of that working plummeted. You typically need a retail install disk set on CD (not DVD) or original iMac disks for OSX. Burned disks almost never work.

"However, about 3 seconds after the chime, the thing just shut off without any warning."

Ours worked flawlessly for six years on OS9, with which it shipped. When we replaced the iMac we gave it to our daughter. I swapped the 10GB hard drive for a more modern 60GB model, bumped the RAM from 256 to 384MB, and installed 10.4 Tiger using a full-retail install set. It worked for a while until Portland OR had a heat wave and my daughter's apartment--like so many in that area--was not air-conditioned The iMac started shutting down. She got a newer Mac and I asked her to bring the iMac home for diagnosis.

Even though I was testing it in a room at a comfortable 74°F the troubles continued, either no-starts or fast shutdowns. I had partitioned the drive to leave a OS9 install so tried booting to OS9.The computer would boot into OS9 and work normally. It was like something prevented OSX from working.

The poor cooling choices that Apple made for that model largely affect the PAV board (power/analog/video). It hovers where it gets a direct shot of any heat rising from the logic board. The board gets cooked. Things that should not be brittle get brittle. I believe, in our case, the heat issues damaged the PAV board in ways that affected OSX and not the less demanding, cooler-running OS9. (I had temp data from a dual-boot G3 Minitower I owned showing OS 10.3.X ran hotter than OS9.X).

Back when people were installing larger hard drives in G3 iMacs, there were also suggestions that the replacement hard drives of the time gave off more heat than what Apple installed. Don’t know—no one produced any data.

By the way, what OS is running on it in the picture? OS 9?

Anyway that’s a bit convoluted but damage due to heat issues are a possible suspect. I recommend you try using OS9 instead of OSX and see if that makes a difference. Other than that, I’ve yet to make any more progress with similar issues here.

Best of luck!

Allan

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Answer 3

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Feb 6, 2019 11:48 AM in response to Mastergeko4

I tried turning it on again but only the green light stayed on and I couldn’t hear anything else.

This has some meaning, but I forget what. See google. I do not know if this is your problem or not. fyi.

There maybe a reset button on the logic board. -- 1/16 inch grey button.

maintenance pdf

iMac DV (rev 29 May 02).pdf

Here is what my records have recorded.

It's the power supply flyback capacitor on the av board. & they are

expensive. It's a common problem.

Here is an interesting thread:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2419577?start=0&tstart=0

"One warning, if you do not know what you are doing be careful or don't

attempt to try, there is enough juice stored in the CRT capacitors to

kill you if you touch the wrong spot - seriously"

http://www.ehmac.ca/mac-ipod-help-troubleshooting/36317-imac-600-slot-loading-po

wer-supply-problem.html

How to repair. This may be a different model than yours.

http://www.macopz.com/columns/imacrepair/

Rober

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Answer 4

Mastergeko4 Author

Level 1

19 points

Feb 10, 2019 2:53 AM in response to rccharles

Ok, So I ordered a new PAV board, and some original authentic Mac OS 10.3 install disks. When the parts arrive, I’ll give you guys an update.

Thanks everyone!

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Answer 5

Mastergeko4 Author

Level 1

19 points

Feb 5, 2019 2:27 PM in response to Allan Jones

Hey Allan!

Thanks for your quick reply!

So I’ll answer some of your questions because that may help with this whole thing.

So firstly, the environment I’m using it in is about 68°F so that’s cool enough for it to survive because it’s not like a Portland heat wave.

I’d also like to mention that I haven’t upgraded any parts like the hard drive or replaced anything since I got it and the original owner said that she hasn’t either and I never actually installed OS 10.3 I just inserted the disk, it froze, and it wouldn’t turn on properly. I want to be able to trouble shoot this a bit more before I have to commit to buying a whole new analog board for this thing but if that’s the way I’m gonna have to go, then that perfectly fine with me.

I think I’ll try to get an original 10.3 disk but if it really can’t use one, I’ll just keep it on OS 9.

Thank you!

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Answer 6

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Feb 6, 2019 8:22 PM in response to Mastergeko4

Did you read through this thread. Folks didn't have much luck replacing caps. [ same link as above. ]

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2419577

games:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsdVQppTpo0

R

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Answer 7

Mastergeko4 Author

Level 1

19 points

Feb 22, 2019 10:19 AM in response to rccharles

Hello everyone!

So the parts arrived today and here’s what’s happened.

I replaced both of the main board and the Power supply board and the thing works! Only problem, the Monitor is a bit weird.

(Photos Below)

I have absolutely no idea why it’s like this and it has never done this before. Basically what’s happening is that the colors are a lot more pale than normal and the actual picture is in a strange shape. The Monitor control panel didn’t help whatsoever so I’m gonna need more help.

I also bought a some authentic OS 10.3 disks and when trying to install it, it just brings me back to the blue screen with the spinning weel. I’ve given up all hope of installing 10.3 on this thing and the last thing I want to know what the problem with my Monitor is and how to fix it. (The Computer works fine by the way)

thanks!

It’s curved?

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Answer 8

Mastergeko4 Author

Level 1

19 points

Feb 6, 2019 4:01 AM in response to rccharles

So should I just replace the whole board?

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Answer 9

Mastergeko4 Author

Level 1

19 points

Feb 5, 2019 2:29 PM in response to Jeff

Hey Jeff!

Thank you for pointing this out to me! I never thought I’d need to install a firmware update before installing OS 10.3 on this thing but that’s fine. The only problem is that I can’t get the thing to boot. I’ll try making a video later for you guys so that you can take a few more diagnostics.

Thank you though!

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Answer 10

Mastergeko4 Author

Level 1

19 points

Feb 6, 2019 2:57 PM in response to rccharles

Hey rccharles!

These links have been very helpful and after some troubleshooting, I’ve come to the conclusion that the PAV board has gone bad. I’m thinking about replacing it but do you know where I could find one or maybe some caps that I can replace on the board?

Thank you for your help! :)

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