Power Mac G 5 (purchased late 2005) Lifespan

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Level 1

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Power Mac G 5 (purchased late 2005) Lifespan

How long would you expect a Power Mac G5 to last. Mine was a significant investment for me at end of 2005 and for the past 24 months (of course after the after care policy expired!) I have had sequence of issues, final one being new power supply in September. Last week, I turned on and within seconds the fan kicked in but nothing else happened - would not turn on. Result is that I have been advised I need either a new logic board or processor, and probably best to ditch it, but to put the 2 hard drives in casing to use as would back up drives.
This is a complete nightmare for me, already struggling as a sole trader, and I cannot afford to repair, let alone purchase a new computer. Can anyone suggest anything else I can do, and just interested as to what the lifespan should be - surely more than 5 years?
Many thanks,

G5,Power Mac, Mac OS X (10.6.4), Purchased late 2005, delivered Jan 2006

Posted on Dec 6, 2010 6:04 AM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

428,321 points

Dec 6, 2010 6:11 AM in response to maxi01

It would help to know the exact model. Some models may have issues that may appear and warrant a free repair (usually only for a limited period). Others just have issues that are known to occur, in some models earlier than others, and aren't covered by anything.

[Apple: Vintage and obsolete products|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1752]

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Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Dec 6, 2010 11:21 AM in response to maxi01

Hello, unfortunately the G5s came out at a bad time, with the mandated switch to Lead-free solder, & counterfeit Capacitors flooding the market.

http://www.macintouch.com/reliability/pmg5.html

I too own my own Biz, have a G5 that who knows how long it'll last, & can't afford anything, so I empathize.

G4s are getting really cheap, & the new Minis are way faster than our G5s.

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Answer 3

Dec 6, 2010 6:42 PM in response to BDAqua

Hello guys,

I feel ya, I too have a G5, older than yours, a Dual 1.8GHz Late 2004 and have had the logic board replaced by Apple for free with a known, tested good, and with known unaffected capacitors in 2006, and it has been running flawlessly since. Ive also had my RAM modules not be recognized due to heat on my last logic board (another reason Apple replaced my Logic board for free) and I have found that the use of DDR Heatsinks ($8 each at newegg.com) GREATLY helps pull heat generated from RAM away from the logic board. Theres a few other things Im looking at to prolong the life of my G5 like a UPS to keep my PSU in good shape, and compressed air ever 2 weeks to keep my Mac clean as a whistle and running at peak performance all the time. =)

Regards.

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Answer 4

maxi01 Author

Level 1

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Dec 7, 2010 3:53 AM in response to Limnos

Thanks to everyone for all the replies and suggestions. The model is
Powermac G5 Model no A1117 EMC No.2023
100 120v 200-240v 12A/6A 50-60Hz Assembled in Ireland

To update you, I hadn't touched it until this morning, when I dusted and put the hairdryer on the Rams (at least it was the rams!- as per another Q on the forum) and then blasted out dust with the hairdryer. Plugged in and it didn't go straight to the fan, so re attached the screen/keyboard, plugged in and it has started up. It's making a different noise to usual, but have just verified the discs and they are OK. I used a belbin extension with everything plugged in, and am now on completely different wall socket without the belbin extension - could this have been anything to do with it?
Do you think I should get it overhauled or just keep my fingers crossed and ensure everything backed up daily?
Really appreciate the help offered here - invaluable.

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Answer 5

maxi01 Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 7, 2010 7:43 AM in response to maxi01

SHORT LIVED - I turned off whilst I had to go out, returned, switched on - and NOTHING, then the fan kicked in again. So back to square one. I shouldn't have spoken so soon! The fan just comes on very very loudly and nothing else. Seems really odd as it worked OK for a while this morning,not having been switched on for a few days.
Does this sound like it is the logic board?
Thank-you once again for all the help and support....

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Dec 7, 2010 10:25 AM in response to maxi01

Might be time to replace the PRAM Battery, 4 years is close to their lifespan...

See which one your G5 has...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/CR2032/

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/

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