iMac G5

Question

Level 1

8 points

iMac G5

I am told my iMacG5 is aging. When the computer goes to sleep, it won't wake up. I have to turn the computer off and then on again. There is also a crackling noise when the computer is turned on, accompanied by a loud high pitched ring before the computer boots up with that famous apple tone. Sometimes I have to unplug the computer completely to get it going normally again. It usually takes 3 tries of turning the computer off and on to get it to boot normally. And the newest is the on/off button is not always responsive. I was told by Mac experts the iMacG5 is the equivalent of a 90 yr old person. It may die or live on forever. Based on how it is powering up and powering down, I am nervous. I am a photographer and have thousands of photos stored on my computer. Should I start backing everything up before I lose the computer all together? Should I start transferring my images to discs?

iMacG5

Posted on Apr 15, 2011 6:42 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Apr 15, 2011 6:58 PM in response to LBmacuser

Please back everything up immediately. I suggest getting an external firewire/USB drive and getting all your important stuff, particularly your pictures, off the iMac right away.

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Answer 2

LBmacuser Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 15, 2011 8:06 PM in response to MGW

Where do I find an external firewire/USB drive? Sorry, not familiar with what you are talking about. You are making me nervous.

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Answer 3

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Apr 16, 2011 6:08 PM in response to LBmacuser

Google is your friend, but try [macsales.com] or [smalldog.com] or [newegg.com].

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Answer 4

MacKiwi

Level 1

15 points

Apr 17, 2011 2:18 PM in response to LBmacuser

Hi! I fix these older units for a living and suspect that your power supply or your inverter board is on the way out. Good to do as has been suggested and back up data, but in the event that your machine dies before being able to do this there is very little danger of loosing data. In that event the Hard Drive can be removed and all data recovered to another Mac without much difficulty.

I would say your Mac is more like a 50 year-old than a 90 year-old :-) Having said that, it sounds like a 50 year-old in need of a good checkup and some replacement surgery . . .

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