Power Mac G4 MDD strange startup problem

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Yiannis Author

Level 1

99 points

Power Mac G4 MDD strange startup problem

Hello ,

I have an old G4 MDD dual 1Ghz which is been used by my 6 years old son for gaming and watching movies.

I had Tiger 10.4.11 on a IBM deskstar HDD and Leo 10.5.8 on a seagate HD.

Everything was fine until some days ago, when my mac didn't boot from the first try…..black screen.

After a second attempt , booting was just fine.

I have now two system disks (IBM deskstar HDD) with 10.5.8 installed.

Mac is not booting always from first attempt….it takes two more with or without the option key pressed to choose a startup disk.

I have done all the usual…….reset PMU-PRAM…replacing battery,replacing cables,cable select the drives and now forced one to master and second to slave.

I have run Service Diagnostics 2.1.5………..ALL TESTS PASSED.

Still not booting normally….

Any suggestions please??

Thank you all!🙂

PS:It is also loosing very often internet connection via ethernet……..I think it's not a router problem as all my other macs are working normally.

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 2g Ram-1GHZ MDD

Posted on Oct 6, 2014 10:24 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Oct 6, 2014 10:29 AM in response to Yiannis

Is this happening on both drives, now? It's not clear if that's the case. Have you set the startup disk in Startup Disk preferences? Does this happen when you boot from the Tiger or Leopard installer discs?

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Answer 2

Yiannis Author

Level 1

99 points

Oct 6, 2014 11:02 AM in response to Kappy

It is happening on the main drive using Leopard.

Second drive is a clone of the main drive but……….the same was happening using Tiger.

Yes I have set startup disk on preferences

I tried 3 restarts using the slave drive with success but had no luck with the main drive.

Only after holding down the option key.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Oct 6, 2014 11:26 AM in response to Yiannis

So, as I understand this only happens on the one drive - the main drive. Are you sure, given what you've described, that the "main drive" is connected to the correct cable connector? Usually, the drive ID is determined by its position on the drive cable. If I remember correctly the main drive is connected to the ribbon cable at the end of the cable while the second drive is connected to the middle connector (for a two drive cable.) Just a thought as it's been a while since I've used non-Intel machines. If this is the case then your slave drive may actually be the main drive and vice-versa.

The other alternative if this always happens on this one drive that the drive itself is failing. Is it possible to replace it as a check?

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Answer 4

Yiannis Author

Level 1

99 points

Oct 6, 2014 11:44 AM in response to Kappy

I have the slave drive connected to the middle connector.

I will replace main drive with the slave and connect it to my Mac Pro (via usb) to check it using DriveDX.

I will report back later…thank you!

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Answer 5

Yiannis Author

Level 1

99 points

Oct 7, 2014 5:25 AM in response to Yiannis

Issue still remains after replacing HD.

😟

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Answer 6

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Oct 7, 2014 9:30 AM in response to Yiannis

Then I wonder if it isn't the drive itself. It may just be slow to startup, for example.

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Answer 7

Yiannis Author

Level 1

99 points

Oct 7, 2014 11:46 AM in response to Kappy

Well…I can hear the fans but I can not hear any drive spinning at all.Only black screen forever.

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Answer 8

Yiannis Author

Level 1

99 points

Oct 20, 2014 5:44 AM in response to Yiannis

I have done so many tests and I still get the same results……….I have also checked the powersupply voltages to the disks and are normal.I have even used an external PSU for the disk…..no luck!!!!!!

Mac does not startup from the first attempt …maybe at the second maybe after 3-4 attempts…...

Anyone has a clue on this???

😟 😕

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