iMac G3 Purple issue.

Xeniczone,

The symptoms you describe are the same for a monitor that does not have a signal from a computer. Energy save features turn off a monitor that does not need to be on.

So, the fact that you hear a startup chime leads me to belive you at least have a functioning motherboard. The fact that the computer monitor does not stay on indicated that there is nothing waking up. A PRAM battery may be needed but use the following test to see if other components will respond.

Check to see if you have RAM chips installed, if you have a hard drive. Har the thing been stripped of necessary parts?

Hit the CD eject key and see if the drawer will open and let you put in a CD. If you have a system install CD, turn on the computer, insert the CD, hit the reset button (triangle shaped symbol on a small button by the USB port on the right side down low), immediately hold down the 'C' key on the keyboard and see if it will wake up and recognize the CD (or hard drive, for that matter).

If you do not have an install CD, just play around with turning the computer on and resetting the power switch without turning off the power at the AC source. This will get around a dead PRAM battery for testing purposes.

Jim

The behavior pattern you describe sounds exactly like what my son's Tangerine iMac did. Turns out it needed a new video analog board as did many of that generation.

Jean,

That makes a lot of sense. My demented mind thinks of projects that could now be made from the motherboard. Someone figured out how to connect up the video signal from a mini to the monitor in an SE/30 here:

http://www.123macmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3521

Black version from a Plus:

http://destruc.tv/minitosh.php

Xeniczone,

Sorry it is not sounding like good news. Used iMacs will cost less than the repair, if that is in fact the fate. But, parts are parts.

Jim

If your parameters are corrupted, the default for your screen could be set to something out of range. A PRAM reset or system Reset would solve the problem for a while, but ultimately you may need a new backup battery.

Xeniczone,

Do not forget to try Grant's recommendations:

"If your parameters are corrupted, the default for your screen could be set to something out of range. "

My comments have been carefully worded to not rule out some simple fix. Bypassing the PRAM battery using "A PRAM reset or system Reset would solve the problem for a while" as Grant noted was also just an inexpensive and temporary diagnostic tool. Buying a PRAM battery does not fix the machine if the battery is not the problem.

So, at this point I think you are down to testing the monitor. However, that is risky business and you may not have all the tools. If not, paying someone to test it is cost prohibitive. iMacs are $59.95 any more.

Only you can decide how far you want to take it but it means tools for toys. Having spare parts to swap out is the cheapest method of testing.

Jean's comment about the video analog board means that the monitor may be fine but the analog board is not forwarding a usable signal to the monitor so the orange LED comes on to indicate standby - energy save - status.

Jim

Xeniczone,

Many overheat. Are you in a position to do component level soldering? Part swapping is more productive. Find an iMac that died of other causes and trade out parts.

Jim

Xeniczone,

Sounds fun. Good luck with your project. Post back with a link to pictures someday.

Jim

Xen,

Apple would be happy to sell you a .mac account!