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Power Mac G5 1.8/DP/3GB400/160/SD/FX5200/PCI-X start up problem

Please help, having problem with start-up of my Power Mac G5. Its a Power Mac G5 1.8/DP/3GB 400/160 HDD/SD/FX5200/PCI-X.

Mac doesnt want to start.

Symptoms:

1. when press the power button there is no sound at all

2. LED diod above power button flesh three times in a row in white colour after 5 second pause

3. I am sure it is not a problem with RAM, HDD as a have similar Mac at job and tried to interchange those elements between computers but it doesnt help!

I had the same problem today in the morning but it finally started normally after couple of tries but in the afternoon there is no way to start the POwer Mac G5. I tried minimum 50 times to start it up and no way to do it.

Can anybody help me please!

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jul 13, 2011 11:59 AM

Best reply

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Posted on Jul 13, 2011 12:22 PM

Hi, it very likely is the RAM slots/lead free solder issue.

If you're sure the RAM is good, try the Hair Dryer trick...

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=13240047#13240047

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3061091?answerId=15223603022#15223603022

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2620983?answerId=15499912022#15499912022

It can show on any G5, and even many other computers & electronic devices of the period.

Some people hae even had success not using the inner pair of RAM sticks & such.

View in context

25 replies

Jul 15, 2011 7:22 AM in response to japamac

I recently got my new Power Mac G5 yesterday, and although this might not help, I have learned that this machine has a whole array of sensors that can tell whether the front cover is open or not. I turned on my Mac with the cover door and plastic transparent panel off, and the red LED came on and the whirring noises came and the main CPU fans weren't on. However, placing everything back made the machine run fine again. Basically saying, try looking to see if your connections are loose of if you have a problem with the side panel of the machine. If this isn't the case, I think Japamac is right. This Mac specifically responds to heat and that's why the fans kick up, so instead of kicking up the heat, as this could damage the computer, how about trying to see if one of your fans are loose. If not, I guess what's above is correct. Sorry if I can't be of much help, I have been into Macs since 1999, but this is my very first PowerMac G5 that I have ever owned.

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Jul 15, 2011 7:34 AM in response to rdespot

power-macs-power-mac-g5:~ powermac$ $ sudo nvram boot-args="cpus=1"

One too many $ sign.

Like this:

power-macs-power-mac-g5:~ powermac$ sudo nvram boot-args="cpus=1"

rdespot Author

Level 1

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Jul 15, 2011 7:38 AM in response to japamac

did it as you said but TechTool Pro 6 still shows activity on both processors :-(

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Jul 15, 2011 7:41 AM in response to rdespot

Did you reboot?

What does Activity monitor say?

rdespot Author

Level 1

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Jul 16, 2011 5:47 AM in response to japamac

Japamac, thanks for your help, to explain what I did yesterday:

when I came home

first try to start it up. it doesnt work,
open the G5 and physically interchange the processors, put another memeory modules and video graphic card
try to start up the machine. it doesnt work
than I completely disassemble the G5 and took out the logic board
on the bottom side of the board I worm it up with a hair dryer for 5 min on every part where the RAM is situated. it was really very very worm
put back everything together
try to start up and it was ok but when try to switch off/switch on it doesnt want to start again
:-) took the hammer and change my mind in last second :-)

dont have any more idea what do do.

On my Power Mac G5 1.8 dual processor I do have logic board 630-6402/T6375 820-1572-A

does anybody knows is this the same board as for Power Mac G5 2.0 dual processor?

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Jul 16, 2011 8:03 AM in response to rdespot

does anybody knows is this the same board as for Power Mac G5 2.0 dual processor?

Typically, no.

Please read the following explanation:

http://www.welovemacs.com/6613361r.html

rdespot Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 16, 2011 10:13 AM in response to japamac

Thanks Japamac!

that means I can replace my nonworking logicboard *KD41103CNQZPC* with other board that has QZP in serial?
is the same logic for processors, my 1.8 GHz processor has id KC41001Z9QZYA HSF0910 or it could me replaced with any 1.8 GHz Power Mac G5 processor?

Nice greetings from Adriatic coast @ 39°C

rdespot Author

Level 1

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Jul 16, 2011 10:15 AM in response to rdespot

I forgot to write the Id of the processor,

Thanks Japamac!

that means I can replace my nonworking logicboard *KD41103CNQZPC* with other board that has QZP in serial?
is the same logic for processors, my 1.8 GHz processor has id KC41001Z9QZYA 630-6422/T6418 HSF0910 or it could me replaced with any 1.8 GHz Power Mac G5 processor?

Nice greetings from Adriatic coast @ 39°C

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Jul 16, 2011 6:03 PM in response to rdespot

that means I can replace my nonworking logicboard *KD41103CNQZPC* with other board that has QZP in serial?

Yes, or, with a board that is cross referenced to be compatible with QZP.

is the same logic for processors, my 1.8 GHz processor has id KC41001Z9QZYA 630-6422/T6418 HSF0910 or it could me replaced with any 1.8 GHz Power Mac G5 processor?

Your machine uses the 970 processor, not the 970FX, so you would have to get the same model processor.

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac_g5/stats/powermac_g5_1.8_dp.html

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Jul 16, 2011 8:32 PM in response to Powermac82

🙂

Power Mac G5 1.8/DP/3GB400/160/SD/FX5200/PCI-X start up problem