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Need help with powermac G5

So I just got a power mac g5 but I cant get it to work for nothing. I got it with no ram or hdd so I had some laying around but the ddr2 ram wasn't compatible so I picked up some more and got it to chime and display video. It goes to the screen with a folder and mac face. After a minute or two it will freeze. keyboard and mouse will turn off. I try to boot it from a Ubuntu disc but that wont work at all. This is my first mac ever and so far its been an unenjoyable ride. What options can I try? I figured Ubuntu would work on it according to their website. Also after it freezes the very top light and very bottom light on mobo next to ram will turn red.

Posted on Apr 18, 2015 12:16 PM

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12 replies

Apr 18, 2015 2:52 PM in response to VOXGM

Which exact G5?


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


Using this serial number locator is way better than Chipmunk, and more secure:


https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do



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

Apr 18, 2015 5:46 PM in response to VOXGM

Try iFixit…

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Power_Mac_G5


Please be aware that if you remove the processors & place them back in a different order the Mac will require thermal calibration - a tool which only Apple engineers/ approved service technicians have access to. It will cause the fans to run on full until you re-calibrate it or replace back in the correct order.


Just to clarify did you actually did get a PowerPC Ubuntu for the test? I think you have to dig for an older Ubuntu to use it on PPC.

Ubuntu MATE has some good things said about it's PowerPC support (I haven't tried it).

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-mate/releases/15.04/beta-2/

Also do you have the original install disks to try Apple hardware test?

I had a similar model G5 that died in a similar fashion. It seems like it was a controller chip, possibly U2 or U3, but I can't recall now. It would boot & run for 5 minutes or so & then fail from that point onwards. If I left it for a few weeks it would boot again for a few minutes - suggesting a poor solder joint to me.

Need help with powermac G5

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