Powermac G4 stuck on grey screen with loud fan nosie

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jamiedmc Author

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Powermac G4 stuck on grey screen with loud fan nosie

Hello,

I wonder if anyone can help me.

I have an old Powermac G4.

On starting up, the chime sounds and the screen turns to grey and shortly after the apple symbol appears as per normal.

However, it then remains stuck on this screen and shortly after the fans (I assume its the fans) start making a very loud noise.

I purchased this computer second hand, from a company who were about to throw it away because of this problem.

At the time I called an apple engineer who came round and fixed the problem, as I remember fairly quickly.

The computer then worked fine for around 3 years.

I moved home recenly and transported the computer (safely and securely) in the back of the car. However, on set up the problem had re-occured.

There are no start-up discs as the computer was destined for the rubbish bin, and if I can avoid calling out an engineer as I did previously then that would be great!

If anyone has any ideas on what I could attempt then I would be grateful.

Thanks in advance

Jamie D

PowerMac

Posted on Jan 11, 2013 1:08 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

BDAqua

Level 10

238,961 points

Jan 11, 2013 6:26 PM in response to jamiedmc

Hi Jamie,

Did you reseat the Video card & RAM yet?

Holding Option or alt key at bootup, does it show a boot choice?

Tough without the Install disc, but some things to try...

Does it boot to Single User Mode, CMD+s keys at bootup, if so try...

/sbin/fsck -fy

Repeat until it shows no errors fixed.

(Space between fsck AND -fy important).

Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

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Answer 2

jamiedmc Author

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Jan 12, 2013 6:29 AM in response to BDAqua

Hi BDAqua,

Thank you for replying to my post.

I have not reset the Video card or RAM yet or tried holding the option or alt key at boot up to see if it shows a boot choice.

I am going to do these things now.

I will also see if it boots to Single User Mode as you suggest and then try /sbin/fsck -fy.

I will let you know how I get on - fingers crossed!

Thanks again for your help.

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Answer 3

jamiedmc Author

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Jan 12, 2013 9:22 AM in response to BDAqua

Ok, I have reseated the video and RAM.

I have tried to boot to single user model using CMD + S keys but still doesn't get past grey screen with apple on, and the loud fans kick in.

I have also tried starting it up with the option key held down. This brings up a blue screen with three icons.

To the far left an arrow going anti clockwise, in the middle the icon for the Macintosh HD and to the right a single arrow pointing to the right.

The arrow to the left does nothing just seems to refresh that screen.

Clicking on the HD icon does nothing.

Clicking on the arrow to the right takes it to the grey screen with the apple on it and there it gets stuck again and the fans start.

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Answer 4

BDAqua

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238,961 points

Jan 12, 2013 10:33 AM in response to jamiedmc

Yes, the 3/4 circle is refresh looking for boot devices, right arrow is boot from selected drive, HDD showing in middle is one good sign anyway.

Do we get a spinning gray radian holding SHIFT key at bootup?

Still not much to go on as far as the problem.

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...

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

Do you have another Mac around with Firewire?

Does this one show a big floating FW symbol if you boot it into Target mode...

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

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Answer 5

jamiedmc Author

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Jan 13, 2013 10:44 AM in response to BDAqua

I am glad that the HD drive showing is a good sign.

I tried to boot with the shift key held, but no spinning grey radian, just the same grey screen.

Thank you for the advice on the PRAM battery, I will try that too.

I do have another MAC with Firewire. Not sure how to boot it into Target mode, I will find out and then see if it shows the big floating FW symbol.

Thanks again for your help.

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

238,961 points

Jan 13, 2013 11:00 AM in response to jamiedmc

Just hold t key down while powering up for Target mode.

Unless you have...

Firmware password protection in Mac OS X ...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352

It would block usage of all the startup keys, like C, N, T, D, CMD+s, CMD+Option+p+r, CMD +v, Option boot will show a lock, and Shift, as well as booting from anything but the Hard Drive.

Force Removing Password Protection

1) Add or remove DIMMs to change the total amount of RAM in the computer.

2) Then, the PRAM must be reset 3 times. (Command + Option + P + R).

http://www.securemac.com/openfirmwarepasswordprotection.php

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Answer 7

jamiedmc Author

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Jan 13, 2013 11:08 AM in response to BDAqua

Ok, thank you that has saved me some time.

I don't have password protection in OS X so will give this a go.

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Answer 8

jamiedmc Author

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Jan 13, 2013 11:56 AM in response to BDAqua

Yes....... have booted in Target mode and have the floating fire wire sign.

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Answer 9

BDAqua

Level 10

238,961 points

Jan 13, 2013 6:41 PM in response to jamiedmc

Great, now with a FW cable, the other Mac with FW should see that whole Mac as a big FW drive, so we can try repair or maybe some other things.

What exactly is this other Mac & what OS is it running?

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Answer 10

jamiedmc Author

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Jan 14, 2013 9:14 AM in response to BDAqua

Powerbook G4 OS 10.5.8

I need to purchase a firewire lead as I don't seem to have any anymore.

I have found a selection on Amazon and will order one tomorrow unless................very stupid question, please forgive my ignorance, but I have firewire to USB, will that do? So that would be into the firewire port in one computer and into the USB on the other.

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