Q: 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

I have this question too

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by BDAqua,

BDAqua Apr 18, 2015 1:17 PM in response to VOXGM
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Apr 18, 2015 1:17 PM in response to VOXGM

Just to be sure, are you aware RAM needs to be installed in opposing pairs?

Was it ubuntu-12.04-desktop-powerpc.iso ?
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by VOXGM,

VOXGM Apr 18, 2015 2:08 PM in response to BDAqua
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Apr 18, 2015 2:08 PM in response to BDAqua

Yes I was aware. Now as far as ubuntu goes i downloaded the latest version. I'm getting a overheat light and the #7 chksum light
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by BDAqua,

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

VOXGM Apr 18, 2015 4:16 PM in response to BDAqua
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Apr 18, 2015 4:16 PM in response to BDAqua

Its a 2.5 quad core A1117 I belive
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by VOXGM,

VOXGM Apr 18, 2015 4:34 PM in response to VOXGM
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Apr 18, 2015 4:34 PM in response to VOXGM

Wondering if a baseball bat would be a quicker fix
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by BDAqua,

BDAqua Apr 18, 2015 5:15 PM in response to VOXGM
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Apr 18, 2015 5:15 PM in response to VOXGM

Well, it likely needs the Thermal Paste on the CPUs replaced, & likely flushing the LC S Pump(s).
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by VOXGM,

VOXGM Apr 18, 2015 5:26 PM in response to BDAqua
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Apr 18, 2015 5:26 PM in response to BDAqua

Do you happen to know a guide or a video on how to disassemble the heatsink and cooler. Cant find anything online for my model.
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by VOXGM,

VOXGM Apr 18, 2015 5:37 PM in response to VOXGM
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Apr 18, 2015 5:37 PM in response to VOXGM

found it. ill try it and see what happens
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by Drew Reece,

Drew Reece Apr 18, 2015 5:46 PM in response to VOXGM
Level 5 (7,803 points)

Notebooks

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.
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by BDAqua,

BDAqua Apr 18, 2015 8:10 PM in response to Drew Reece
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Apr 18, 2015 8:10 PM in response to Drew Reece

suggesting a poor solder joint to me.
Yes, a common problem...

Grrrrrr, it can be a pain trying to post here...
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by VOXGM,

VOXGM Apr 19, 2015 4:32 PM in response to VOXGM
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Apr 19, 2015 4:32 PM in response to VOXGM

Ok so iv got it stripped down. Thermal compound looked rough. Im worried about the pump. How would I test the pump?
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by BDAqua,

BDAqua Apr 20, 2015 10:25 AM in response to VOXGM
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Apr 20, 2015 10:25 AM in response to VOXGM

G5 LCS rebuild...

Dual 2.5
Mar 28, 2013 9:31 AM
The links below should help those with G5 LCS powermac
http://www.saunalahti.fi/~holindho/g5-quad-v1-lcs-repair.html
http://www.saunalahti.fi/~holindho/g5-quad-v1-lcs-repair-pump.html
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/G5_CoolantLeak_Repair/G5_CoolantLeak_Repair_p 1.html
http://bmaverickddcpumps.wordpress.com/buy-ddc-pumps-here/
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4925629?tstart=0

(Today it posts!?)
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Q: Need help with powermac G5

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by BDAqua,

by VOXGM,

by BDAqua,

by VOXGM,

by VOXGM,

by BDAqua,

by VOXGM,

by VOXGM,

by Drew Reece,

by BDAqua,

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