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Level 1

5 points

Power Mac G4 not turning on after clean shutdown, works otherwise.

My Power Mac G4 does not turn back on after a clean shutdown, but turns on after being disconnected from the power. If I shut it down cleanly (Apple menu -> Shutdown), it shuts down, but then the power button does not work. After unplugging the computer and plugging it back in, the computer is able to power on successfully. I have reset the PRAM and have reseated the PSU connector.

I am using Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.11, but the same problem occurs under Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.8. I don't think the operating system really matters with this type of issue though, because the power button literally will not respond until I unplug and replug the computer.

Any suggestions?

Jonathan Alfonso’s Power Mac G4

12/22/13 2:07 PM

Hardware:

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: Power Mac G4

Machine Model: PowerMac3,6

CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.3)

Number Of CPUs: 2

CPU Speed: 1.42 GHz

L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB

L3 Cache (per CPU): 2 MB

Memory: 2 GB

Bus Speed: 167 MHz

Boot ROM Version: 4.6.0f1

Serial Number: XB3101EMN1Y

Network:

Internal Modem:

Type: PPP (PPPSerial)

Hardware: Modem

BSD Device Name: modem

IPv4:

Configuration Method: PPP

IPv6:

Configuration Method: Automatic

Proxies:

Proxy Configuration Method: Manual

ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0

FTP Passive Mode: Yes

Auto Discovery Enabled: No

Built-in Ethernet:

Type: Ethernet

Hardware: Ethernet

BSD Device Name: en0

IPv4:

Configuration Method: DHCP

IPv6:

Configuration Method: Automatic

Proxies:

FTP Proxy Enabled: No

FTP Passive Mode: Yes

Gopher Proxy Enabled: No

HTTP Proxy Enabled: No

HTTPS Proxy Enabled: No

RTSP Proxy Enabled: No

SOCKS Proxy Enabled: No

Ethernet:

MAC Address: 00:0a:95:9c:64:40

Media Options:

Media Subtype: none

Built-in FireWire:

Type: FireWire

Hardware: FireWire

BSD Device Name: fw0

IPv4:

Configuration Method: DHCP

IPv6:

Configuration Method: Automatic

Proxies:

Proxy Configuration Method: Manual

ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0

FTP Passive Mode: Yes

Auto Discovery Enabled: No

Ethernet:

MAC Address: 00:0a:95:ff:fe:9c:64:40

Media Options: Full Duplex

Media Subtype: autoselect

AirPort:

Type: AirPort

Hardware: AirPort

BSD Device Name: en1

IPv4 Addresses: 192.168.1.134

IPv4:

Addresses: 192.168.1.134

Configuration Method: DHCP

Interface Name: en1

Router: 192.168.1.1

Subnet Masks: 255.255.255.0

IPv6:

Configuration Method: Automatic

DNS:

Domain Name: hsd1.fl.comcast.net

Server Addresses: 192.168.1.1

DHCP Server Responses:

Domain Name: hsd1.fl.comcast.net

Domain Name Servers: 192.168.1.1

Lease Duration (seconds): 0

DHCP Message Type: 0x05

Routers: 192.168.1.1

Server Identifier: 192.168.1.1

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Proxies:

Proxy Configuration Method: Manual

ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0

FTP Passive Mode: Yes

Auto Discovery Enabled: No

Ethernet:

MAC Address: 00:0d:93:ef:b8:69

Media Options:

Media Subtype: autoselect

Software:

System Software Overview:

System Version: Mac OS X 10.4.11 (8S165)

Kernel Version: Darwin 8.11.0

Boot Volume: Macintosh HD

Computer Name: Jonathan Alfonso’s Power Mac G4

User Name: Jonathan Alfonso (alfonsojon)

ATA:

ATA Bus:

MAXTOR STM3500630A:

Capacity: 465.76 GB

Model: MAXTOR STM3500630A

Revision: 3.AAE

Serial Number: 9QG5RHPR

Removable Media: No

Detachable Drive: No

BSD Name: disk0

Protocol: ATA

Unit Number: 0

Socket Type: Internal

OS9 Drivers: No

S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified

Volumes:

Macintosh HD:

Capacity: 465.64 GB

Available: 458.51 GB

Writable: Yes

File System: Journaled HFS+

BSD Name: disk0s3

Mount Point: /

ST3200822A:

Capacity: 186.31 GB

Model: ST3200822A

Revision: 3.01

Serial Number: 3LJ078AZ

Removable Media: No

Detachable Drive: No

BSD Name: disk1

Protocol: ATA

Unit Number: 1

Socket Type: Internal

OS9 Drivers: No

S.M.A.R.T. status: Not Supported

Volumes:

Time Machine:

Capacity: 185.99 GB

Available: 136.84 GB

Writable: Yes

File System: Journaled HFS+

BSD Name: disk1s2

Mount Point: /Volumes/Time Machine

ATA Bus:

PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-105:

Capacity: 2.64 GB

Model: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-105

Revision: A506

Serial Number: BLDL034723WL

Removable Media: Yes

Detachable Drive: No

BSD Name: disk2

Protocol: ATAPI

Unit Number: 0

Socket Type: Internal

OS9 Drivers: No

S.M.A.R.T. status: Not Supported

Volumes:

Mac OS X Install DVD:

Capacity: 2.64 GB

Available: 110.27 MB

Media Type: DVD-R

Writable: No

File System: HFS+

BSD Name: disk2s2

Mount Point: /Volumes/Mac OS X Install DVD

Audio (Built In):

Built In Sound Card:

CODEC: Texas Instruments TAS3004

Sample Rate: 44.1 KHz

Number of Inputs: 1

Number of Outputs: 4

Devices:

Input:

Type: Line Level Input

Output:

Type: Headphones

Output:

Type: Internal Speaker

Output:

Type: External Speaker

Output:

Type: Line Level Output

Diagnostics:

Power On Self-Test:

Last Run: 12/22/13 12:51 PM

Result: Passed

Disc Burning:

PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-105:

Firmware Revision: A506

Interconnect: ATAPI

Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)

Cache: 2000 KB

Reads DVD: Yes

CD-Write: -R, -RW

DVD-Write: -R, -RW

Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes

Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes

Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO

Media:

Media Type: DVD-R

Blank: No

Erasable: No

Overwritable: No

Appendable: No

FireWire:

FireWire Bus:

Maximum Speed: Up to 800 Mb/sec

Graphics/Displays:

ATI Radeon 9000 Pro:

Chipset Model: ATY,RV250

Type: Display

Bus: AGP

Slot: SLOT-1

VRAM (Total): 64 MB

Vendor: ATI (0x1002)

Device ID: 0x4966

Revision ID: 0x0000

ROM Revision: 113-99702-122

Displays:

Acer AL2017:

Resolution: 1400 x 1050 @ 60 Hz

Depth: 32-bit Color

Core Image: Not Supported

Main Display: Yes

Mirror: Off

Online: Yes

Quartz Extreme: Supported

Rotation: Supported

Display:

Status: No display connected

Memory:

DIMM0/J21:

Size: 512 MB

Type: DDR SDRAM

Speed: PC2700U-25330

Status: OK

DIMM1/J22:

Size: 512 MB

Type: DDR SDRAM

Speed: PC2700U-25330

Status: OK

DIMM2/J23:

Size: 512 MB

Type: DDR SDRAM

Speed: PC2700U-25330

Status: OK

DIMM3/J20:

Size: 512 MB

Type: DDR SDRAM

Speed: PC2700U-25330

Status: OK

PCI Cards:

usb:

Type: usb

Bus: PCI

Slot: SLOT-5

Vendor ID: 0x1033

Device ID: 0x0035

Subsystem Vendor ID: 0x17c6

Subsystem ID: 0x0036

Revision ID: 0x0041

usb:

Type: usb

Bus: PCI

Slot: SLOT-5

Vendor ID: 0x1033

Device ID: 0x0035

Subsystem Vendor ID: 0x17c6

Subsystem ID: 0x0036

Revision ID: 0x0041

pci17c6,e1:

Bus: PCI

Slot: SLOT-5

Vendor ID: 0x1033

Device ID: 0x00e0

Subsystem Vendor ID: 0x17c6

Subsystem ID: 0x00e1

Revision ID: 0x0002

Power:

System Power Settings:

AC Power:

System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10

Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10

Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10

Sleep On Power Button: Yes

Automatic Restart On Power Loss: Yes

Wake On AC Change: No

Wake On LAN: Yes

Wake On Modem Ring: Yes

USB:

USB Bus:

Host Controller Location: Built In USB

Host Controller Driver: AppleUSBOHCI

PCI Device ID: 0x0035

PCI Revision ID: 0x0043

PCI Vendor ID: 0x1033

Bus Number: 0x3b

Microsoft® Digital Media Pro Keyboard:

Version: 1.10

Bus Power (mA): 500

Speed: Up to 1.5 Mb/sec

Manufacturer: Microsoft

Product ID: 0x00b0

Vendor ID: 0x045e

USB Bus:

Host Controller Location: Built In USB

Host Controller Driver: AppleUSBOHCI

PCI Device ID: 0x0035

PCI Revision ID: 0x0043

PCI Vendor ID: 0x1033

Bus Number: 0x1b

Kensington USB/PS2 Wheel Mouse:

Version: 1.00

Bus Power (mA): 500

Speed: Up to 1.5 Mb/sec

Manufacturer: Kensington

Product ID: 0x102a

Vendor ID: 0x047d

USB Bus:

Host Controller Location: Expansion Slot

Host Controller Driver: AppleUSBOHCI

PCI Device ID: 0x0035

PCI Revision ID: 0x0041

PCI Vendor ID: 0x1033

Bus Number: 0x15

USB Bus:

Host Controller Location: Expansion Slot

Host Controller Driver: AppleUSBOHCI

PCI Device ID: 0x0035

PCI Revision ID: 0x0041

PCI Vendor ID: 0x1033

Bus Number: 0x35

USB High-Speed Bus:

Host Controller Location: Expansion Slot

Host Controller Driver: AppleUSBEHCI

PCI Device ID: 0x00e0

PCI Revision ID: 0x0002

PCI Vendor ID: 0x1033

Bus Number: 0x55

AirPort Card:

AirPort Card Information:

Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme

Wireless Card Locale: USA

Wireless Card Firmware Version: 405.1 (3.90.34.0.p18)

Current Wireless Network: Alfonso

Wireless Channel: 3

Locations:

Automatic:

Active Location: Yes

Services:

Internal Modem:

Type: PPP

IPv4:

Configuration Method: PPP

IPv6:

Configuration Method: Automatic

Proxies:

Proxy Configuration Method: 2

ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0

FTP Passive Mode: 1

Auto Discovery Enabled: 0

PPP:

ACSP Enabled: 0

Display Terminal Window: 0

Redial Count: 1

Redial Enabled: 1

Redial Interval: 5

Use Terminal Script: 0

Dial On Demand: 0

Disconnect On Fast User Switch: 1

Disconnect On Idle: 1

Disconnect On Idle Timer: 600

Disconnect On Logout: 1

Disconnect On Sleep: 1

Idle Reminder: 0

Idle Reminder Time: 1800

IPCP Compression VJ: 1

LCP Echo Enabled: 1

LCP Echo Failure: 4

LCP Echo Interval: 10

Log File: /var/log/ppp.log

Verbose Logging: 0

Built-in Ethernet:

Type: Ethernet

BSD Device Name: en0

Hardware (MAC) Address: 00:0a:95:9c:64:40

IPv4:

Configuration Method: DHCP

IPv6:

Configuration Method: Automatic

AppleTalk:

Configuration Method: Node

Proxies:

FTP Proxy Enabled: 0

FTP Passive Mode: 1

Gopher Proxy Enabled: 0

HTTP Proxy Enabled: 0

HTTPS Proxy Enabled: 0

RTSP Proxy Enabled: 0

SOCKS Proxy Enabled: 0

Built-in FireWire:

Type: FireWire

BSD Device Name: fw0

Hardware (MAC) Address: 00:0a:95:ff:fe:9c:64:40

IPv4:

Configuration Method: DHCP

IPv6:

Configuration Method: Automatic

AppleTalk:

Configuration Method: Node

Proxies:

Proxy Configuration Method: 2

ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0

FTP Passive Mode: 1

Auto Discovery Enabled: 0

AirPort:

Type: IEEE80211

BSD Device Name: en1

Hardware (MAC) Address: 00:0d:93:ef:b8:69

IPv4:

Configuration Method: DHCP

IPv6:

Configuration Method: Automatic

AppleTalk:

Configuration Method: Node

Proxies:

Proxy Configuration Method: 2

ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0

FTP Passive Mode: 1

Auto Discovery Enabled: 0

IEEE80211:

AllowNetCreation: 1

JoinMode: Automatic

MAC Address: 00:0d:93:ef:b8:69

Modems:

Modem Information:

Modem Model: Dash2

Interface Type: USB

Modulation: V.92

SKU Name: UCJ

Hardware Version: 1.0F

Firmware Version: APPLE VERSION 2.6.6

Driver: InternalUSBModem.kext (v2.6.6)

Country: B5 (United States, Latin America)

PowerMac3,6-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.4.11), Dual boot with Mac OS X Leopard

Posted on Dec 22, 2013 11:16 AM

Best reply

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Posted on Dec 22, 2013 2:57 PM

Hello Jonathan,

From my experience I'd say it's a bad Capacitor in the PSU or Logic board that needs to bleed down before the SMU works right.

View in context

41 replies

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Dec 4, 2014 3:51 AM in response to Glen Doggett

Glen, I think replacing the PSU might very well do it. 🙂

Dec 4, 2014 10:20 PM in response to BDAqua

That what I am hoping. I bought it when my MDD first started acting up, but it did continue to work for quite a while with the unplugging trick. I was initially thinking that replacing the battery did the trick, but it was just a coincidence that I had unplugged it to perform that.

I found the G4 power supply on eBay from Austin, TX that offers a repair service, where you can send in your bad power supply and he will return it fully repaired in "better than new" condition. He also has some refurbished power supply units available for instant purchase with instructions on how to return your bad power supply for some credit back.

It may be a while before I get a chance to swap out the power supply, but I will post back here of my results. This thread gives me some hope that the new PSU will bring it back to life.

alfonsojon Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 5, 2014 9:06 PM in response to Glen Doggett

That's the same person who fixed my PSU! The person who provides that service is a wizard, and he (or she?) made my power supply work perfectly again. My G4 lives on, for only $75. I would definitely suggest getting it repaired if you'd like to keep it. I found it worth it, personally.

By the way, your case literally mirrors mine. At first, some instability, followed by refusing to boot unless flipping power switch or unplugging, then it just stopped booting altogether (unless it wanted to be nice). Definitely the power supply in your case.

Dec 6, 2014 12:08 PM in response to alfonsojon

Well, my Saturday morning project was to swap out the PSU, and I might have had more success resisting assimilation by the Borg. It was futile, still no start up. Button light comes on when pressed, then goes out when I let go. I wonder if the front panel button itself is bad, and if I can even find one of those. I replaced the battery about a year ago, maybe I should try a new one again. Not sure how much troubleshooting I can do, but the PSU swap was not as hard as I thought it was going to be, the drive bays are all very modular, once you get the ribbon cables out of the way and slide everything out, it goes in fairly easily. Oh, well, not sure what to try next. At least I have all the hard drives backed up to external drives fairly recently as I was planning to migrate from my striped RAID to a single SATA drive just before this recent problem.

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Dec 6, 2014 12:29 PM in response to Glen Doggett

Durn it anyway. 😟

Could be the power button, it has some circuitry in it or attached to it.

Dec 7, 2014 2:42 PM in response to alfonsojon

Success! I am writing this from my trusty ol' MDD. I wrote the eBay seller to ask for some suggestions, which were very helpful. First thing: unplugged from wall, removed all PCI cards, removed all RAM sticks, removed PRAM battery. Held down PSU reset switch for about 30 secs. With the case open, plugged back in and hit the power button: very loud BEEP and red LED light comes on the mobo, with cooling fans a'spinnin', and me a'grinnin'.

First time: very strange loud BEEP was not the typical Mac startup chime (I forget what they call it now). Then I held the power button to force shut down, unplug and started re-installing items one at a time repeating the startup attempts: first the RAM, then the PCI video card, then the PCI ATA133 RAID card... I still have a USB PCI card and a SATA PCI card to put back in there, but wanted to take a break to give an update here. Great post-sales support from this particular eBay seller. Another observation: I had the 400W AcBel PSU with the loud Delta fans, which I replaced with SilenX fans, he suggested the 360W Samsung PSU and this one is also very quiet so far. I haven't tried running a CPU intensive operation just yet to drive them up yet. The refurbished PSU was in very good condition, the wiring harnesses and connectors all look brand new and it was very clean.