My friend's original 15" iMac (g4) was working fine till a community-wide power outage. Now it won't respond to the power-on button. Tried unplugging everything for ten minutes, switching power outlets, reseating its power cord—nothing doing.
We live hundreds of miles from the nearest Apple shop. Before we make such a trip, does anyone have ideas about what might be amiss? Suggestions appreciated!
Just to check: does anything else work from that power socket?
Thanks for responding. Everything else plugged in to the power strip works, including a lamp and a printer.
I've found Apple's HT1712 doc in the knowledge base that gives instructions for resetting the Power Management Unit, which it says may need to be done after a power surge. So, I'll try the reset and see what happens.
Could also be the PRAM battery (1/2 AA size) ?
A dead battery can do all sorts of strange things to a Mac, not booting being one.
If you have a good level of DIY with computers you can change it yourself, BUT be warned it can be a little interesting on that model.
Custom mini.
Thanks for the info. I didn't know this model has a battery. Can you point me to any explanation of how to change it?
Open up iMac G4
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/iMac_g4/iMacg4_takeapart.html
iMac G4 uses thermal paste. Be sure to get some thermal paste & replace / add more paste if contact is broken.
Robert
You could also try :
www.macmanuals.co.uk
May want to think about changing the Ram while your in there too ?
Custom mini.
Thanks for the info.
Where does the thermal paste go? In this guide (http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing+iMac+G4+15-Inch+700+MHz+EMC+1873+PRAM+Bat tery/7030/1) it's not mentioned.
I have not worked with these machines.
Thermal paste looks like white/grey goggie putty. Just avoid disturbing the paste. I THINK this is more of a warning... don't mess with the paste.
"There are now two silver heatsink bars instead of one, creating two spots that need to have the thermal paste replaced. The second spot is at the end of the memory card (at the top of the memory card as shown in the sec. 2.1 photo). The second silver heatsink bar is parallel to the first one, and is also under the silver "strap" that runs diagonally across the heatsink bar."
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/iMac_g4/iMacg4_takeapart.html
Here is a picture of the battery (probably) that you need. Verify from the pictures on the web page.
If you would just look at the web link I have given you, you find ALL the answers you are looking for !
Custom mini.
Thanks for the site.
With the info that you & RCCharles have supplied, I think we're ready to have a go at repair—as soon as we procure a battery. I'll post what happens.😐
Original iMac won't start after power outage
