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Level 2

215 points

Power Mac G5 "can not be fixed"??

Ok. Apple Store Techs says my PowerMac G5 Quad "can't be repaired". "Parts too expensive" or "Parts can't be found." or "Not worth repairing", etc. No back up because I couldn't find software for my old workhorse, so several questions that are burning in my appalled brain. First, my content definitely makes it worth repairing. So, any ideas on where I can personally search the parts if I find out what they need? Or should I try an older tech who might not be as dismissive of my "door stop"? Or can my one terrabyte second hard-drive be pulled and saved? I used it as storage. And finally, can the content of my regular HD be saved to another HD? Just a few little questions for the brilliant and intrepid among you. And I know you are out there, so no hiding! 😉

Perhaps naively hopeful, Kate

PowerMacG5 Quad, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Dec 20, 2011 9:02 AM

Best reply

old comm guy

Level 4

2,249 points

Posted on Dec 20, 2011 10:50 AM

Kate Porter wrote:

Ok. Apple Store Techs says my PowerMac G5 Quad "can't be repaired". "Parts too expensive" or "Parts can't be found." or "Not worth repairing", etc.

Translation: "We don't want to be bothered repairing a product that would keep you from buying our latest new products."

That's just the way it is. Now, we need to know some more specific information to help your navigating this mess. What general geographical location are you in? What seemed to be the problems with the machine (it may actually be something relatively simple)?

Now, as to hard drives, you can certainly pull those SATA drives and read them elsewhere in other Apple machines. You can also purchase a used machine, drop in the drives and possibly your video card and RAM and be on your way just fine. Or you can find an independent repair source (there are a few that will probably be recommended once your locale is known) who could get you through this situation. What you probably can't rely on is much help from the genius bar on these older machines; that's why we have this community of dinosaurs here ready to help.

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Kate Porter Author