jordansmithnz

Q: Problems with iMac G5 not starting properly

Hello!

 

I am having troubles with my iMac G5 + iSight. It will only start in safe boot, and when it does it has some funny lines across the screen.

 

I know that it is not a hardware problem particularly because it used to boot fine sometimes and then only in safeboot.

 

I am wondering whether it is a firmware problem, or I need to reinstall the OS. I think it is a firmware problem because when I press option key on startup, that has the funny lines as well, so it may well be.

 

If anyone could please tell me where I can download a firmware updater/reinstaller and how to do it, I think it may fix the problem.

 

Thanks!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), iMac G5 + iSight

Posted on Mar 23, 2013 3:04 PM

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Q: Problems with iMac G5 not starting properly

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  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Mar 24, 2013 12:59 PM in response to jordansmithnz
    Level 6 (8,486 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Mar 24, 2013 12:59 PM in response to jordansmithnz

    I do not know why your iMac has lines on it.  As for not booting in normal mode, there are lots of cauuses for that. None of the causes has to do with firmware.

     

    I suggest you take it to an Apple store.

     

    I am having troubles with my iMac G5 + iSight. It will only start in safe boot, and when it does it has some funny lines across the screen.

    -- I do not know why the lines are there.  May indicate a problem with lcd. 

    -- Could you try attaching another monitor to the iMac.  there is a mini-vga port.

     

    I know that it is not a hardware problem particularly because it used to boot fine sometimes and then only in safeboot.


    -- how do you know this?  Working in safe mode doesn't use the video chip.  Normal mode does. Bad video chip is suspected.

     

    I am wondering whether it is a firmware problem, or I need to reinstall the OS. I think it is a firmware problem because when I press option key on startup, that has the funny lines as well, so it may well be.


    -- You like to rule out hardware problems.  My reading would be this is an indication of a bad lcd or cabling.

    -- I'd re-install os.  Could be a corrupt hd or bad hd.  I'd erase the entire drive & reinstall.

    --

    Sometimes if volumes don't appear in Startup Manager (what you get when you hold down the Option key at startup), you need to reset the Mac's PRAM, NVRAM, and Open Firmware. Shut down the Mac, then power it up, and before the screen lights up, quickly hold down the Command, Option, P, and R keys, until the Mac has chimed twice more after the powerup chime. Then, before the screen lights up, hold down Command-Option-O-F until the Open Firmware screen appears. Then enter these lines, pressing Return after each one:

     

    reset-nvram

    set-defaults

    reset-all

     

    "The reset-all command should restart your Mac. If so, you have successfully reset the Open Firmware settings."

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1812?viewlocale=en_US

     

    How to eject a cd from the internal cd drive:

    eject cd

     

    List of devices:

    devalias

     

    List of variables:

    printenv

     

    If anyone could please tell me where I can download a firmware updater/reinstaller and how to do it, I think it may fix the problem.