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Q: What to see when buying a used PowerMac G5?

Hello there.

 

Tomorrow I'm buying a used PowerMac Quad G5 with 7GB of RAM and a Quadro FX 4500 for music and foto editing for about 200€ (and it comes with the original keybord and mouse plus Leopard and Logic 8, so it's a GREAT deal).

 

Since this line of Macs as some known issues, I was wandering what I should look in the machine. The seller says that the machine was seen by an Apple technician and that everything is OK, but today you never know, specially since this is an authentic bargain.

 

BTW, I could I do the equivelant of the AHT in the PowerMac to see if the seller is not lying?

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), Quad G5, 7GB RAM, Quadro FX 4500

Posted on Jun 18, 2012 6:28 PM

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Q: What to see when buying a used PowerMac G5?

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  • by japamac,Solvedanswer

    japamac japamac Jun 18, 2012 6:44 PM in response to Leite
    Level 7 (24,390 points)
    Jun 18, 2012 6:44 PM in response to Leite

    Make sure it boots normally.

    Look in the System Profiler/Hardware/Diagnostics for error messages.

     

    Get the software install discs.

    Without, reinstall is impossible and licenses are violated.

     

    Original install discs have the AHT on them.

    If no original discs are included, then you need to find a source for the ASD 2.6.3. to run diagnostic tests.

     

    Open and remove the CPU cover.

    Look for signs of liquid damage or leakage from the LCS.

    PowerMac G5 Coolant Leaks/Repairs

  • by Leite,

    Leite Leite Jun 18, 2012 7:17 PM in response to japamac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 18, 2012 7:17 PM in response to japamac

    How can I remove the CPU cover?

  • by Michael K. Moore Jr.,

    Michael K. Moore Jr. Michael K. Moore Jr. Jun 18, 2012 7:45 PM in response to Leite
    Level 1 (80 points)
    Jun 18, 2012 7:45 PM in response to Leite

    The CPU cover is not easily removed by the user. Another tip is to check the Optical Drive, as they had a high failure. Tip the machine on its right side with the door off to check for leakage of the system. The quad was the only one with a reliable cooling system. Also verify the hard drive in Disk Utility. Good Luck and enjoy your Apple PowerMac G5. I have a dual 1.8 (best computer I ever owned)!

  • by Leite,

    Leite Leite Jun 18, 2012 8:01 PM in response to Michael K. Moore Jr.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 18, 2012 8:01 PM in response to Michael K. Moore Jr.

    Isn't easily removed? You only need to remove the front fans and pull a trigger to slide it out...
    I'll be upgrading the DVD drive and the HDD with parts of my desktop PC (fried motherboard), but thanks for the tip.
    When I tip the computer on it's side, I'll be looking for what? Drops or cristals of coolant?

     

    I love the G5, and I think that's amazing that it's design is kept on use and that's amazing that a 7 year old computer runs Photoshop as fast as my 2010 MacBook Pro.

     

    japamac, thanks for the sharing. I was trying to download one of these

  • by Michael K. Moore Jr.,

    Michael K. Moore Jr. Michael K. Moore Jr. Jun 18, 2012 8:40 PM in response to Leite
    Level 1 (80 points)
    Jun 18, 2012 8:40 PM in response to Leite

    Oh Sorry,

     

    I was thinking of the earlier G5s, I didn't think it was removable but sorry. Any how sit it on the side for at least 15 minutes, (preferably an hour) and see if green coolant leaks. And take the CPU cover off if able to and that will tell the extent of coolant leak if any. If there is any leak don't take your chances just avoid it completely

  • by Leite,

    Leite Leite Jun 19, 2012 4:01 AM in response to Michael K. Moore Jr.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2012 4:01 AM in response to Michael K. Moore Jr.

    15 minutes is the time I have to make the deal, because I'll be meeting the seller on his launch break. I'll probably just check for signs of leaks around the CPUs and the PSU.. :/

  • by japamac,Helpful

    japamac japamac Jun 19, 2012 4:35 AM in response to Leite
    Level 7 (24,390 points)
    Jun 19, 2012 4:35 AM in response to Leite

    Not necessary to lay it on its side if the CPU cover can be removed.

    Total inspection time for what is described below takes 2 minutes or less ( a small flashlight helps).

     

    There is a gray felt material below the LCS that will absorb small amounts of liquid.

    If the felt is greasy or wet, the LCS is leaking.

     

    Not all leaks fall onto the gray felt. This type of leak is more prominent and easy to see.

    G5 leak and corrosion.htm

     

    Looking towards the logic board around the processor mounts, corroded screws or white and rust colored deposits may be seen.

    If corrosion deposits are seen, the LCS is leaking.

     

    Place the clear air baffle, reconnect power and start.

    If when the machine starts up you hear a gurgling sound (like air in drain pipes) the LCS is leaking or has allowed liquid to evaporate and air infiltrate.

  • by Leite,

    Leite Leite Jun 19, 2012 4:41 AM in response to japamac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2012 4:41 AM in response to japamac

    How can I access that gray felt? My problem will be removing the CPU cover..

  • by Michael K. Moore Jr.,

    Michael K. Moore Jr. Michael K. Moore Jr. Jun 19, 2012 4:44 AM in response to Leite
    Level 1 (80 points)
    Jun 19, 2012 4:44 AM in response to Leite

    When I was in the market for a G5 the on the side thing proved it was leaking for meat least, I wish you the best of luck with your G5 and enjoy Apple's top of the line PowerPC machine

  • by Leite,

    Leite Leite Jun 19, 2012 4:52 AM in response to Michael K. Moore Jr.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2012 4:52 AM in response to Michael K. Moore Jr.

    Thanks. I'll going to meet the seller now. Wish me luck.
    (I'll keep you posted. )

  • by Leite,

    Leite Leite Jun 19, 2012 9:47 AM in response to Leite
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2012 9:47 AM in response to Leite

    I've already bought it and it's AMAZING, but having it in my desk is like having a Boeing 747 ready to take off. Is that normal? I know that's normal for a computer to make noise (specially with the number of fans it has) but this is by far the loudest computer I've ever owned.

  • by japamac,

    japamac japamac Jun 19, 2012 4:37 PM in response to Leite
    Level 7 (24,390 points)
    Jun 19, 2012 4:37 PM in response to Leite

    No, it should be near silent except when under extreme load or running the hardware tests of the AHT or ASD.

    Any LED lights lite inside?

    About the Power Mac G5 (Late 2005) diagnostic LEDs

     

    Did you run it before moving it?

    Was it quiet then?

    If so, something may nhave moved out of place during transport.

     

    If not, something is wrong and you need to run thermal calibration using the ASD 2.6.3 disc.

     

    Might try a SMU reset first:

    How to reset the SMU on a Power Mac G5 - Support - Apple

  • by Leite,

    Leite Leite Jun 19, 2012 4:51 PM in response to japamac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2012 4:51 PM in response to japamac

    I did not ran the AHT there. I completly forgot. When I has doing it at home I had a CPU hang.
    When I turn it on a red led flashes. After a few minutes the led of overheating turns on.

     

    I reset the SMU right now and I've also replaced the MBs battery. I'm going to see if that works.

     

    ADD: I've also cleanned the computer with compressed air, including the radiator.

     

    ADD 2: The CPU B is the one going crazy. While A is at 35ºC, the B is at 90ºC...

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