My eMac screen is completely black.

The processor doesn't make a sound. The fan makes sounds and so does the optical drive or hard drive.

3 blinks is typically a sign something is wrong with the RAM. This article explains for PowerPC Macs what that would indicate. Unfortunately, it looks like your RAM banks on the logicboard have gone bad.

Although hard to see externally, there are two broad familes of eMac based on the logic board inside and sub-families within each family. Each can have different issues so our knowing what you have will help us better help you.

Please use this Apple article:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2395

to use your serial number to find which model is yours. Please only post your model family, NOT your serial number.

While you have the serial number at hand, see if it falls into one of these ranges:

• G8412xxxxxx- G8520xxxxxx
• YM412xxxxxx - YM520xxxxxx
• VM440xxxxxx - VM516xxxxxx

If so it could have a known logic board defect that is today not worth repairing.

eMacs, unlike G4 PowerBooks, do not have a history of bad RAM slots. Can't say that's not the issue but it would be very rare in the eMac.

It is possible the capacitor has leaked onto the RAM slot on the logicboard. This would create such a scenario.

It is possible the capacitor has leaked onto the RAM slot on the logicboard. This would create such a scenario.

Indeed. That's why I asked about the sub-family. The serial number ranges I posted are the ones with 1.25gHz processors and USB 2.0 logic boards with leaky capacitors. In the ones I've examined, the goop from the capacitor was small in volume and was limited to showing on the capacitor "can" itsef, but a big leak could do what you suggest.

Wonder if it is more economical to remove the hard drive myself and take it to the shop.

Before trying to take it apart yourself, understand that there are very high voltages in the video circuitry. Enough to kill.

You have to take precautions in taking one apart; I've had dozens of Mac apart but don't feel comfortable with our two eMacs. I value my life more than the data.

Here's an in-between approach. Search the web for "emac takeapart." Find the article the has the MOST cautions, then read the steps. See if they show the following;

1) A way to discharge the CRT voltage (very important

2) A way to access the hard drive without exposing yourself to the dangers in the video department.

Then you can make an informed decision as to whether you want to tackle the job yourself.

My bottom-line recommendation: let the pros handle it if you consider yourself an average computer user.

What I find strange indeed is that the DVD slot won't come out manually using a pin.

Starting with, I think, the slot-loading iMacs in 2000, the computer had to be powered up for the manual eject to work.

but don't remember any special precautions on high voltage.

Surprising. With any all-in-one CRT computer, that's one of the first cautions I see in most service manuals.

Well, it looks like that sheet shows getting to the hard drive. However, it may be missing the high voltage warning because it's not an Apple publication. I'm still nervous enough that the $65 is sounding cheap. Do you think you have more than 65GB of data on the drive?

Don't think that computer holds 65 gig!!!

Quite likely. Our first eMac, a G4/700 (very first verson), came with a 40GB hard drive and our second, (1.42Ghz 2005--last version) came with an 80GB drive but a 160GB drive was a"build to order" option for that model.

Looks like your version could have either a 40 or an 80 per the MacTracker database.