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Level 1

5 points

Computer won't start, grey screen with Apple logo only. Ideas?

Last night my wife's G5 froze. It is a G5 2.0 running OS X 10.4.11. I shut it down (had to use the power button) and tried to restart. No luck, just made it to the grey screen with Apple logo and spinning wheel. After a few seconds the Apple logo disappeared and a black box took its place, then the wheel stopped spinning. It was late, decided top wait until morning before trying again.

This morning I tried to start up again. This time got a warning(?) in upper left that a Firmtek item had already started. I'm sorry I didn't write this all down at the time, so I don't remember the entire message. Since there is a Firmtek card installed in one of the PCI slots I thought that might be the problem, and I pulled the card, as well as another Adaptec card that was also installed. Tried to start again, got to grey screen with Apple but this time no spinning wheel.

Opened media slot manually and inserted Diskwarrior. Tried to start with Diskwarrior but again only reached grey screen. Let run for ~5 minutes, until fans started to run and were begining to get noisy.

Next I reset the PRAM. No luck, still stuck on grey screen. Tried Diskwarrior again, this time got another message in upper left. Here is most of it -

System Failure : cpu=1; code=60000009 (Invalid pmap)

Lateset crash info for cpu1;

Exception state (sv=0x609bb280)

PC=0x000a4ad0; MSR=0x02003000 followed by more similar strings, then

backtrace terminated - unaligned frame address; 0xfc088891

So what's the diagnosis? I've had various issues with my G5s in the past, but have never had one refuse to boot with Diskwarrior before.

Thanks in advance for any help!

G5 2.0, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Sep 30, 2011 11:06 AM

21 replies

tomellis Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 30, 2011 5:43 PM in response to tomellis

When I looked at Hardware Overview it says that I only have one CPU. Does this mean that I have a dead CPU, as the message I got early on would seem to indicate? If so, is this something that can be fairly easily repaired? I have replaced the power supply in a G5 before so I'm not afraid to take things apart, if it is a repair that is both doable and not more expensive than replacing the machine.

BDAqua

Level 10

239,339 points

Sep 30, 2011 6:21 PM in response to tomellis

If you were able to execute those commands, then yes it'll be running one one CPU as that is what we wanted to test, it seems we may have found the problem... the 2nd CPU.

If you couldn't execute those commands, the 2nd one may have died completely.

If you want tontest or turn on that 2nd CPU, then (boot with cmd+option+O+F held down).

setenv boot-args cpus=2

reset-all

tomellis Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 30, 2011 6:32 PM in response to BDAqua

So how tough a job is it to replace the CPUs? It looks like I already know how to remove them, since they have to come out to replace the power supply, which I have done in another G5. But doing some quick research it sounds like I need to recalibrate the heat sinks, which requires a special DVD? I'm not afraid to try this job if there is a reasonable chance of success and the cost is not too high. What esle is involved (recalibration?) that I need to know about?

BDAqua

Level 10

239,339 points

Sep 30, 2011 6:46 PM in response to tomellis

If you've already removed & replaced the CPUs that's the biggest part there, did you redo the Thermal paste at that time?

Have you searched for a matching CPU replacement?

Yes, you need a special Disc not normally available to the public, in your profile you're the only one that can see your email... if anybody had any clues on that for you.

tomellis Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 30, 2011 7:19 PM in response to BDAqua

The more I think about it the less certain I am that I removed the CPUs when I did the power supply replacement (over a year ago), unless the CPUs came out when I pulled the cooling towers. My guess is the CPUs stayed attached to the base of the computer which I removed in one piece to get at the power supply. And that was a different G5, late 2004 model while this one is an early 2004 model. So there may be differences, I'll need to find out.

I've looked at eBay for a replacement but it isn't clear whether the sellers have the 970 processors (which I need) or the fx970 version, which won't work. Have sent inquiries, now have to wait for answers.

You mention thermal paste - I'd need to replace this when the CPUs are replaced?

I'll look at my profle to see how to reset so others can see my email.

Any ideas where to find the disk to reset the fans?

Thanks again for the help!!!

< Edited By Host >

BDAqua

Level 10

239,339 points

Oct 1, 2011 12:09 PM in response to tomellis

You mention thermal paste - I'd need to replace this when the CPUs are replaced?

Yes, something like this is best...

http://www.tuniq.com.tw/accessories/tx2.html

http://www.heatsinkfactory.com/ic-diamond-7-carat-thermal-compound-15-gram-p-166 05.html

Computer won't start, grey screen with Apple logo only. Ideas?