Stumbled across a G5.. new to Apple PC's... Boots, then shuts off. (Large Images)

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Stumbled across a G5.. new to Apple PC's... Boots, then shuts off. (Large Images)

My friend gave me his huge hefty Apple iMac G5 (I believe) as he said it didn't work anymore. Being rich and stubborn he went out and bought something else and said I could play with this as I am his "techie" friend. I plugged it in when I got back home and it gives me the White Apple Bootup Screen but then Shuts itself off... like a security measure. I am not sure if there is anyway to enter a diagnostic mode by hitting F10 or a similar key on the USB keyboard I plugged into the back of the system.

I counted 8GB of PC3200 RAM which s quite a lot, so I'd imagine this thing must've had some power when it worked. I am just curious to why it is not booting up. I do not know anything about Apple computers, I have only worked on small devices like iPads and iPad touches, etc...I have a feeling I will most likely be salvaging a lot of components that are still useful from this system but if I could get it running stable I'd be extremely happy.

I have never seen a fan that goes over the RAM that sits behind whatever is behind the G5 casing, I'd imagine either the CPU/Heatsink is underneath that section or the Power Supply, or both. I am not familiar with how Apple builds their computers. I am unsure of what a "Class 1 Laser Product" is as it appears to be the CD/DVD rom to me. My friend didn't state what he did with this system when he had it, I know he didn't game but would probably rather do work on it, I honestly have no idea and don't feel the need to ask.

I will post a few pictures of the system and if anyone can help or suggest anything it would be greatly appreciated. I wish there was someway to enter a diagnostic or Bios when booting it up to possibly edit or run some type of tests but I do not know if that is possible. Thanks, and I apologize if I posted in the wrong section of the board.

Inside tower....

Bootup screen on my TV via DVI to USB....

I took out 4GB of RAM just to see what type it was and it matched... it has been re-inserted.

iMac, G5

Posted on Feb 14, 2014 8:54 PM

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Answer 1

jayarebee84 Author

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Feb 14, 2014 9:05 PM in response to jayarebee84

Okay well I read somewhere holding ALT will get you into some type of bootup menu and yes it did, and this is what I saw.... if I click the Reboot looking icon it just shows me a timewatch then the same screen, if I click the Drive in the middle it goes to the White bootup screen then shuts off. The same goes for if i hit the Next button, bootup screen, then powers off.... it seems like maybe I am dealing with a bad Hard Drive?

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Answer 2

jayarebee84 Author

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Feb 14, 2014 9:25 PM in response to jayarebee84

This is the only hard drive I found in the unit, it appears to have SATA so I hooked it into my external drive reader

I tried connecting through SATA and nothing. I could hear the drive humm but nothing would be read or recognized onto my PC. Maybe it's a Mac for Mac thing only... Maybe I just have a bad or corrupt drive, which I am hoping as all the other components would still be in tact.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

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239,213 points

Feb 14, 2014 10:19 PM in response to jayarebee84

Hello,

There were a few generations of G5s.

If you don't know the model, find the Serial# & use it on one of these sites, but don't post the Serial# here...

http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

How to find the serial number of your Apple hardware product...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1349

Yes, you could only read the drive on a PC with something like MacDrive.

Actually it looks hopeful from your screen shots! 😀

Tough without the Tiger Disk problems, but try fsck...

To use fsck, you must run it from the command line. Unlike using your mouse to open an application to do something, you'll need to type a text command at the prompt (#) to tell fsck what to do. The Terminal application (/Applications/Utilities) and single-user mode are two examples of command-line interfaces in which you can type such commands. To use fsck:

1. Start up your computer in single-user mode to reach the command line. Hold CMD+s keys down at bootup.

Note: If necessary, perform a forced restart as described in the Emergency Troubleshooting Handbook that came with your computer. On desktop computers, you can do this by pressing the reset/interrupt button (if there is one) or holding down the power button for several seconds. On portable computers, simultaneously press the Command-Control-power keys. If your portable computer doesn't restart with this method, you may need to reset the Power Manager.

2. At the command-line prompt, type /sbin/fsck -fy

(SPACE between fsck AND -fy important)

3. Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found:

The volume (name_of_volume) appears to be OK

If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message:

***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****

Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 2 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).

4. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.

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Answer 4

jayarebee84 Author

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Feb 14, 2014 11:04 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks, I did see the SN listed and know where the info is in regards to that and did not want to post it publicly. As it is very late here and I want to get up to watch Team USA versus Russia in the Olympics I will have to continue my research and work tomorrow and figure out exactly what I have.

I am very unfamiliar with Macs... Sorry to say to all you Apple lovers I have always been a PC Geek 😝

I am willing to learn though which is the best way to conquer anything and build upon my resume of knowledge. So I do not have a "Mac" Keyboard, I am using a simple Logitech USB keyboard and am not familiar with the "CMD" key would be designated as. I was given solely the tower to work with (like I am some kind of magician). As to get to any command prompts I have no idea and will have to read up on procedures. This system would be very cool to get working again and I can probably keep it if so. The case is so heavy and sturdy I love it and wouldn't mind modifying it to put my current PC into it one day if possible.

I apologize it is late but I will get on it tomorrow morning to try and figure out a little bit more about this system and what I can do to resolve the issues... thank you so much for your input and your hopefull advise. 🙂

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Feb 15, 2014 11:25 AM in response to jayarebee84

Yeah, you wouldn't want to post the Serial#, but the rest of the info like...

Machine Model: PowerMac11,2

Name: PowerMac G5 (Late 2005)

ModelCode: g5_late_05

Family name: A1177

Model Number: M9592

Group1: PowerMac

Group2: G5

Generation: 5

CPU speed: 2.5GHz

Colour: Aluminium

Production year: 2006

Production week: 19 (May)

Tough the PowerMac11,2 part is all we really need. 🙂

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Answer 6

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Feb 15, 2014 12:17 PM in response to jayarebee84

SInce you booted up in the startup manager ok, it's likely to be a bad hd or corrupted OS.

Do you have the installation dvd's? See if he can give them to you.

Restore Tiger 10.4 & Leopard 10.5 DVDs are available from Apple by calling 1(800) 275-2273. Have your serial number ready. Have your credit card ready too. There may be a small fee.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4720126?tstart=0 -- January 20,2013

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5772721?answerId=24588313022#24588313022 -- January 22,2014

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Answer 7

jayarebee84 Author

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Feb 15, 2014 1:01 PM in response to BDAqua

Okay I ran the SN through that German looking site and this is what it gave me....

Nice Name: PowerMac G5 (PCI-X 2)

Machine Model: PowerMac7,3

Name: PowerMac G5 (June 2004)

ModelCode: g5_june_04

Family name: A1047

Model Number: M9455

Group1: PowerMac

Group2: G5

Generation: 2

CPU speed: 2.0GHz

Colour: Aluminium

Production year: 2004

Production week: 30 (July)

Production number: 8933 (within this week)

Model introduced: 2004

Memory - flavour: DDR1-L-400

Memory - number of slots: 8

Memory - largest module: 1GB

Factory: G8 (USA)

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Answer 8

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Feb 15, 2014 1:22 PM in response to jayarebee84

OK, great, more info on that model...

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac_g5/specs/powermac_g5_2.0_dp_2.htm l

It would be helpful to see what Single User Mode & fsck reports.

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Answer 9

jayarebee84 Author

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Feb 15, 2014 2:49 PM in response to BDAqua

Well I think I am able to get one of the CD's/DVD's I am not sure which one later today or tomorrow. However ever since I put the hard drive back in and tried to power up the system I am getting nothing. Just the red lights and fans spinning. I've made sure I've connected everything back together properly several times, I am thinking the hard drive just died out. Now if I wanted to replace the hard drive can I pretty much buy any 3.5 inch SATA drive or does it have to be MAC certified or something? I am quite upset I thought I was so close to getting this puppy purring again, but what can ya do... this was just a gift that was going to be in the garbage if I didn't take it. The case was very appealing to me and if I cannot get the system running I will be modifying the case to put my PC into it as I love the sturdyness and the handles uptop.

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Answer 10

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Feb 15, 2014 4:05 PM in response to jayarebee84

I should boot up in startup manager.

See what happens when you take out the hd. There are some rests. There is a poweron reset.

The startup manager will list all of your bootable partitions then give you a choice of which to boot. Hold down the option key ( or alt key on a pc keyboard ) then power on. Continue holding down the option key until you see the startup manager. This brings up the startup manager. Click on your hd or disc. Click on right arrow key.

It's the speed of the sata bus. 1.5 gig I believe for all g5's.

Some hd's have jumpers to slow down the speed.

--------------------------------------------------------------

reset the PMU

http://mrjcd.com/junk/PMU.jpg

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1939

--------------------------------------------------------------

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

Should the fail...

Try taking the battery out for 10 minutes. Put battery back in. Cross fingers. Power the machine back on.

How to eject a cd from the internal cd drive:

eject cd

List of devices:

devalias

List of variables:

printenv

More than you ever wanted to know about open firmware

http://www.firmworks.com/QuickRef.html

( nvram is the equivalent Mac OS X terminal command. )

---------------------

Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

---------------------

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Answer 11

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Feb 15, 2014 4:11 PM in response to jayarebee84

As mentioned by rccharles, make sure the SATA drive is 1.5 Gb/s compatible, not all are.

One other problem with these is that the thermal paste may need replacing, the other is the lead-free Solder issue...

If you're sure the RAM is good, try the Hair Dryer trick...

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=13240047#13240047

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3061091?answerId=15223603022#15223603022

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2620983?answerId=15499912022#15499912022

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3175959?answerId=15613068022#15613068022

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3270112

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3287993?answerId=16053892022#16053892022

No power light at all...

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3692775?tstart=0

It can show on any G5, and even many other computers & electronic devices of the period.

http://www.macintouch.com/reliability/pmg5.html

http://lowendmac.com/ppc/power-macintosh-g5.html

And see this last one in particular...

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3507385?answerId=16781690022#16781690022

Heat gun better...

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3916312?tstart=0

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Answer 12

jayarebee84 Author

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Feb 16, 2014 12:24 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks, seems like lots of info. I am just curious to how I managed to get the Apple sound and Load screen to stop showing? I have checked almost every connection imaginable, I have had trouble finding the "CMOS" battery or whatever is similar for Mac's, I think it was mentioned to be near the RAM. I've tried booting with no HD connected as well as it connected, even to the other jumpers.. and nothing. I may be in over my head with this thing but I will continue reading 😟

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Answer 13

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Feb 16, 2014 12:45 PM in response to jayarebee84

It's a bit of a mystery as to why those stopped, but I suspect whatever problem it has is getting worse.

Oh, I forget, did we try removing all power & periphers for a few hours, then hook up & try booting again? (Thing maybe a bad Capacitor in the PSU).

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Answer 14

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Feb 16, 2014 2:02 PM in response to jayarebee84

Servie and repair manual. Look for:

apple power mac g5 service repair manual 2004 2005 200 pages in pdf.pdf

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Answer 15

jayarebee84 Author

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Feb 16, 2014 5:06 PM in response to BDAqua

I will try that now. I wish I hadn't disconnected anything in the first place. At first I thought maybe I didn't snap the ram back in properly, but I've checked numerous times and it's in. I wish I knew what was behind the large G5 casing as to where the power cord goes into, I'd assume it's got to be the power supply and I am not sure what else.

I am foreign to MAC products, I had it showing the previous screens above with the grey screen and options until I started fiddling around. I disconnected the power button to board and reconnected it. I could take a quick video to show you that the unit turns on and the red lighting is lit and the fans spin but nothing happens, no video is put out. I had it connected via DVI to HDMI, then I switched to VGA to the VGA/DVI adapter that came with the unit. Everything looks so flashy and high tech to me even for a computer that is 4 years old, I notice where the PCI slots are, but no idea where the CPU/heatsink would be located. I will have to find the manual on this unit somewhere online. Such ashame this could very well have been my first MAC unit 😟

I love the design and how the fans pop in and out, I like the design how the PCI cards/slots are so easily accessible in the rear. And I love all the ventelation. It would be ashame to get rid of this unit but I have tried hooking up a different SATA hard drive that was formatted just to see if it would do anything, and nothing... just no video output and the fans and red lights stay going forever until I manually shut the unit off.

I will certainly be salvaging everything out of this tower if my next attempts fail, I know the RAM will be useful and I honeslty do not know much about the rest as it is all about 10 years old. I can become pretty artsy so if I gut this thing out I will find a way to put my ASUS PC Motherboard and components in it somehow, it's more than roomy enough. I honestly don't even know how somene would go about opening the CD/DVD ROM drive as it has a slide in front of it and there does not seem to be any buttons. Thanks for all the continuous help guys I enjoy seeing feedback each time I check back.

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