iMac 1GHz PowerPC G4, will not start up after a power outage.

Question

iMac 1GHz PowerPC G4, will not start up after a power outage.

Last night my neighborhood lost power for several hours. After the power I was restored, I have been unable to get any response from pushing the power button on my computer. I've tried several suggested "fixes," including unplugging, pushing the power button for 15 seconds, plugging back in, waiting 5 seconds and trying again. I've disconnected the hard drives, etc. Is it true that the machine might just need to wait, like, a day, and then it will start up again? I hate to drag it to the Apple Store if all I need to do is wait, but that seems a little unlikely. Thanks for your help.

iMac 1GHz PowerPC G4, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Dec 17, 2013 5:53 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Martin Joseph

Level 2

239 points

Dec 17, 2013 5:58 PM in response to Dallas Clemmons

It could be that sitting unplugged for a bit will help, but more likely the powersupply is dead.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Personally I would extract the Hard drive and use a FireWire bridge to get any data you want off of it.

The good news is that your data is most likely fine.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Good Luck,

Marty

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Answer 2

Dec 17, 2013 6:07 PM in response to Martin Joseph

Thanks. Most of my important stuff, thankfully, is on a couple of external hard drives. And I have a Time Machine too, and although I've never actually extracted anything off that, I suppose it should help.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,177 points

Dec 17, 2013 10:30 PM in response to Dallas Clemmons

Have you looked through Pondini's extensive TM help site?

http://Pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html

http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

Can't imagine something not being covered there.

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Answer 4

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,690 points

Dec 18, 2013 11:51 AM in response to Dallas Clemmons

Sorry, a little more bad news:

I hate to drag it to the Apple Store

No need to. Apple considers that model obsolete and will no longer work on it. Fortunately, Apple Authorized Service Providers are not so constrained; many will still work on older models.

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Answer 5

Dec 18, 2013 12:36 PM in response to Allan Jones

Obsolete? I've barely had the thing 5 years! Oh well, my appt is about 45 minutes from now so I guess I'll keep it. But thanks for preparing me....

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Answer 6

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,690 points

Dec 18, 2013 2:37 PM in response to Dallas Clemmons

I've barely had the thing 5 years!

Have we been talking about a different computer from the one in your profile? The last of the 1ghz iMac G4s were discontinued in 2004. That's the date Apple uses when deciding to cut us adrift. Typically 5-6 years is all you get before they slap the big "O" on your forehead.

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Answer 7

Dec 18, 2013 3:49 PM in response to Allan Jones

Welcome to the future! It's unsupported...

If you want it repaired and you are in the seattle area, I would be happy to fix it ;~)

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Answer 8

Dec 18, 2013 3:56 PM in response to Martin Joseph

Ah geez, I've exposed myself as an idiot. Sorry--I thought I had updated my profile here, surely, since I bought my last computer, but apparently not. This desktop was new in the fall of 2008 (since I don't have it, I can't check under the Apple Menu and update my specs, although I know I should know them.) The guy at the Apple Store today did tell me it was "pretty old" but they took it and, fingers crossed, it will only need a new power supply which will be $106. Of course they don't know yet and other things could be damaged as well, but I think they can fix it.Which relieves me greatly. Thanks again for all the help and advice.

Dallas

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Answer 9

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,690 points

Dec 19, 2013 6:46 AM in response to Dallas Clemmons

Ah. So it was an Intel iMac that they fixed? It was not only the profile but the post title that that made me think you ad a PowerPC Mac.

Oh well, as long as its sorted, that's great news!

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