Old Power Mac G3 won't connect to monitor

Question

Level 1

7 points

Old Power Mac G3 won't connect to monitor

Before I consign it to the recycling depot I need to retrieve some files from my old G3, which I've rarely turned on for years. Problem is, it won't connect to the Sony monitor - no signal. The G3 makes all the right noises, as does the monitor, but then I just get the 'no signal' message on the monitor. Checked the input setting and the connections and can't find a problem. Worked perfectly last time I started it up about a year ago.

Any suggestions as to what the problem might be or an alternative method of seeing/accessing files on the G3 gratefully received!

iPhone 4S, iOS 7

Posted on Nov 19, 2014 9:16 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

kaz-k

Level 8

48,966 points

Nov 19, 2014 11:26 PM in response to Ulessa

1) Resetting PRAM could solve the problem.

2) Reseat video card.

3) Replace PRAM battery

4) Or if video card is malfunction, pull out PowerMac G3 HDD and install it in IDE external HDD case to connect other Mac via USB port.

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Answer 2

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,540 points

Nov 20, 2014 6:53 AM in response to Ulessa

Hi Ulessa,

Is this a Beige G3:

or

or a "Blue & White" G3:

Although released very close to each other in time, they are quite different and need different troubleshooting. Example: The Beige G3 may give no video at startup if the internal backup battery (or "PRAM" battery) is dead; the B&W is not as dramatic when faced with a dead battery.

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Answer 3

Ulessa Author

Level 1

7 points

Nov 22, 2014 4:18 PM in response to kaz-k

Suggestion appreciated but I'm not sure I'm competent enough to be trusted with resetting PRAM. I may have to find a tame geek to help me. I'll let you know how things go. We were without power for an entire day so I'm just trying to catch up on work first.

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Answer 4

Ulessa Author

Level 1

7 points

Nov 22, 2014 4:24 PM in response to Allan Jones

It's a blue and white Allan - much loved and served me well during its time under my desk. The files I want to retrieve are largely family photographs and similar that can't be replaced. How I wish I'd done that one last clean up a few months ago when it was still talking to the monitor.

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

238,835 points

Nov 22, 2014 5:14 PM in response to Ulessa

As KazK mentioned, pull the drive, get one of these to try to read the drive...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PC-Hard-Drive-Adapter-Cable-USB-2-0-to-IDE-SATA-2-5-3-5- For-Hard-Disk-CD-RW/121493902846?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D 222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27538%26meid%3Dbf12b96648084c028323af96 a0f8f309%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D11353%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D271595717568&rt= nc

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Answer 6

Ulessa Author

Level 1

7 points

Nov 22, 2014 5:45 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the suggestion but unfortunately I'm in Australia and they don't ship here. Will continue to research my options!

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Answer 7

Ulessa Author

Level 1

7 points

Nov 23, 2014 12:22 AM in response to kaz-k

Well, despite my misgivings (and working out how to stretch my small fingers that far), I tried a 'blind' PRAM reset but no joy, except a healthy chime from the G3. After further research I found sufficient similar appeals and successful responses to make me fairly sure the battery is the culprit. So, I'm off to source the right battery. If only I'd been as diligent about back ups then as I am now!

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Answer 8

BDAqua

Level 10

238,835 points

Nov 23, 2014 1:05 PM in response to Ulessa

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-TO-SATA-IDE-2-5-3-5-Hard-Drive-Power-Adapter-Date -New-/251282106662?pt=AU_CablesConnectors&hash=item3a8194a926

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Answer 9

Ulessa Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 13, 2014 11:06 PM in response to kaz-k

kaz I can't thank you enough! Finally had the time and the confidence to replace battery, reset PRAM, reseat video card and, finally, reset Cuda button and I have visual contact. Now, if I can just get the mouse and keyboard to work . . .

Once again, thank you so much.

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Answer 10

Jeff

Level 6

12,058 points

Dec 16, 2014 12:57 AM in response to Ulessa

You don't need to get the old keyboard and mouse working, as you can use any USB keyboard and/or mouse with your Blue & White G3. These two peripherals aren't platform-specific, so you can use ones that came with a PC. The primary difference between a Mac keyboard and a Windows keyboard concerns the "Alt" and "Command" keys. On the PC keyboard, the "Windows" logo key functions as the Apple "Command" key, and the "Alt" key is the "Alt/Option" key. You'll notice that these two keys are juxtaposed in relation to the space bar, when comparing the Mac and Windows keyboards.

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Answer 11

Ulessa Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 16, 2014 6:37 PM in response to Jeff

Thanks Jeff but it was actually a throwaway line. The G3 just didn't recognise the peripherals at first but a simple restart fixed it. Hopefully by the end of today I should have had enough spare time to retrieve everything I need. I've had a Mac of one model or another on my desk since 1987 and the monitor problem is the first time I've ever had to do anything but basic system or software maintenance. Living proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks!

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