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Q: Change iMac g4 battery

How do you change the battery on ag4 iMac?

Posted on Jan 21, 2012 8:31 AM

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Q: Change iMac g4 battery

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  • by ikwanzan,

    ikwanzan ikwanzan Sep 13, 2014 2:36 PM in response to noondaywitch
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 13, 2014 2:36 PM in response to noondaywitch

    This is a late post, but thought it might be helpful to someone.

     

    Are any or all of these your symptoms?

     

      -- dead iMac after disconnect from power outlet

      -- replace battery but computer still dead

      -- re-open computer, check cabling, etc., but still nothing

     

    So, I thought my iMac was dead. But found others (with similar symptoms) on the 'net talking about letting computer sit (with power cord plugged in) for 24 hours (or more) and finally they were able to boot their computer.

     

    Well, after my failure with the new battery, etc., I let my computer sit for approx 24 hrs (with new battery), power cord plugged in, and viola. After pressing the power on button, first some low level internal sounds, then a loud odd chime (not the standard), and within 15 - 20 seconds, that beautiful boot chime and computer back to normal.

     

    I have yet to try unplugging power, so cannot report on that.

     

    I'm actually an EE, but not in the electronics field, yet my gut tells me many of the mac computer products have some funky power management stuff. I'm guessing a long-dead battery does something weird that requires another weird kind of "charging", hence the fix with the 24 hour sit period. Just a relatively wild guess.

     

    The reason for my post is to say, if you replace the battery, do not give up (I almost did). Try the 24+ sit with power plugged in.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Sep 14, 2014 11:42 AM in response to BkG
    Level 6 (14,269 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 14, 2014 11:42 AM in response to BkG

    If the computer is a late or last model iMac G4 USB2.0

    they are mostly alike. Earlier 700/800/1.0 may not be.

     

    •Mr Tote's iMac G4 take-apart:

    http://www.mrtotes.co.uk/page1/page1.html

     

    •iMac G4 Take-apart for Drive & RAM upgrade:

    http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/imac_g4/imacg4_takeapart.html

     

    •How to identify iMac (Flat Panel G4) models

     

    •A 3.6V PRAM 1/2AA Lithium battery, replacement:

    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/BAA36VPRAM/

     

    However a weak link is often a dead 3.6V lithium battery

    and other than the massive tedium and cleaning of the

    old thermal paste, applying new on reassembly, and a

    skillful approach in working around a nightmare design

    you may be fortunate to not have caused new damages.

     

    While inside, if that's the only bad you find, is a fine time

    to replace other components if you have new spares; &

    check the internal factory RAM slot for an upgrade. The

    iMac G4 USB2.0 can use a PC3200 chip instead of the

    original PC2700 on the board. Be sure it is Mac spec;

    even though it will be seen as PC2700. The other slot

    near the AirPort Extreme card takes the SODIMM just

    like the iBook G4 (mid-2005) uses as RAM upgrade.

    With correct spec (or backward compatible in factory

    slot) the RAM total can be 2048MB for USB2.0 iMac G4.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!