PowerMac G5 - monitor not receiving input

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Level 1

8 points

PowerMac G5 - monitor not receiving input

Hi Apple Support Communities,

I've been using a Power Mac G5 with an Hewlett-Packard w2408h monitor, with a DVI-to-HDMI cable connecting the two. This has worked great for nearly two years, but last night the monitor suddenly displayed the message "No VGA input, No HDMI input" and then the message "Monitor going to sleep." I can't get it out of sleep mode no matter what I try. The computer still boots up and runs, and I can get access to files using my Powerbook G4 via firewire, but the monitor appears to not be receiving a video input. I'm going to try to see if I can use another monitor, but I've checked the HP site, and it seems to suggest that the problem is with the computer and not the monitor. If that's the case, what might the problem be? Could it be a bad graphics card? I came across a web link (which I can't find at the moment) that said it might be a problem with the motherboard, such as a dead battery of some sort. Any other thoughts?

Many thanks!

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), HP w2408h monitor

Posted on Feb 7, 2012 9:37 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 8, 2012 2:40 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't see how the mini w/ Lion will access PPC files & apps. I have some PPC files on the mini that came over when I transferred files, etc., from the G5, & Lion won't/can't open/run them. What you suggest sounds a lot like what I did when I imported stuff from the G5 in the beginning. I could be wrong about this.

And, getting back to the monitor problem, I'm suspecting a dead PRAM battery. The G5 has sat for most of a year w/o running, so the battery may have run down. I don't know if this battery recharges when the G5 is running.

Also, maybe you can answer another mystery: Does the G5 have more than one battery? The manual shows only one, a coin-type. But, on Google searches I see references to PRAM batteries & pictures of them on sites selling them show a different shape than the one the manual shows. I did zap the PRAM early on, but it didn't help w/ the monitor problem & wonder if the battery might be the problem.

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Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 7, 2012 10:56 AM in response to wrong_eye7

Likely the Graphic Card, have you blown the dust out of it lately?

PRAM Batteries are a cheap thing to try, but this doesn't sound like any of the weird problems associated with a weak battery.

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Answer 3

wrong_eye7 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 7, 2012 11:23 AM in response to BDAqua

I have a feeling it's a more serious problem than dust, but I'll try some compressed air and see if that does anything. It would be such a relief if that were the only problem. If the graphics card has blown out, maybe I could solve the problem by replacing it with a new one. I'm willing to take the computer in to get repaired if it's a big technical problem like something wrong with the motherboard, but at this point I'm very curious to know if other people have run into similar issues and how they might have dealt with them.

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 7, 2012 11:30 AM in response to wrong_eye7

Yeah, not that removing the dust now will likely recover the card if it's heat damaged, but just another clue as to the likelyhood once we see how much dust it has, & if it has a fan on the card if that spins freely.

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Answer 5

Feb 8, 2012 10:39 AM in response to wrong_eye7

I have a similar problem. About a year ago, I acquired a new Macmini to replace the G5, due to upgrading, etc. Now, I want to access my PPC files on the G5, since I can't on the mini, which has Lion. The G5 was doing fine w/ the Dell monitor, which is now connected to the mini. I bought the HP monitor for the G5. It works fine w/ the mini.

Some say the problem may be w/ the graphics card, but I find that hard to believe, since all worked fine before I switched to the mini. The G5 is connected to the HP via a DVI>VGA adapter w/ a VGA cable going to the HP. The HP has a DVI port & I could get a DVI cable, but am unsure if even that will work.

I suppose my only alternative is to take the G5 to a repair facility & have it checked out. I just don't see how a graphics card was working fine one day & not the next, relatively speaking, simply by changing monitors. All fans in the G5 work well, btw. Any ideas, comments? Something I'm missing?

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 8, 2012 1:39 PM in response to David Werner1

If the mini has Firewire & you have a cable, boot the G5 into Target mode...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

Or pull the drive & use one of these...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/U3NVSPATA/

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Answer 7

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 8, 2012 2:51 PM in response to David Werner1

Well yes PPC APPs won't run in lion, but 10.6.x has Rosetta for running those, but most data files should be usable.

Might be time to replace the PRAM Battery, 4 years is close to their lifespan, far less if ever without AC power, & can cause strange startup problems...

See which one your G5 has...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/CR2032/

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/

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Answer 8

wrong_eye7 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 13, 2012 7:38 PM in response to wrong_eye7

Well, the problem appears to be solved, at least for now. I took out the graphics card, then bought an extra one of what I thought was the same type. It arrived quickly, but I had trouble installing it. So I went back and tried to put back the original one. I got it in there and just for the heck of it tried to boot up with the original graphics card. Voila! The computer and monitor work again. I suspect that maybe all the computer needed was to be unplugged for two minutes to reset the SMU. I guess now I have an extra graphics card if I ever need one.

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Answer 9

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 13, 2012 7:54 PM in response to wrong_eye7

Thanks for the report, good to hear... perhaps reseating the card cleared a little corrosion?

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Answer 10

Feb 13, 2012 9:01 PM in response to BDAqua

I have ordered a new PRAM battery & see how that works. If that doesn't work, I'll try reseating the graphics card as described in another post in this thread. I'll keep you posted.

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Answer 11

Feb 27, 2012 10:27 AM in response to David Werner1

My problem was my DVI>VGA adapter, the last thing I thought about. Replaced the battery, but no love. Took the machine to local Mac dealer & same problems there, until technician noticed prongs bent over in the DVI side of my adapter. Bought a new adapter for $20 & Voila!

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Answer 12

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 27, 2012 12:03 PM in response to David Werner1

Great, thanks for the report! 🙂

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