Jane Elizabeth Smith

Q: my powerbook G4 doesn't chime when I switch it on - Why?

I recently bought a powerbook G4 from an online auction site.  The machine was meant to be in excellent working condition & I wanted it mainly to play old games on that I can't bear to part with.  When I switched it on, it didn't make the usual characteristic apple 'chime' which puzzled me, though it did work.  Then when I installed my games, there was no sound within the short movies inside the games, though the sound works for other things.  I've checked up the software & installed 'Tiger' OS X 4.11 with classic support in order to play the games without a problem.  The seller suggested I reset the P ram but this hasn't made any difference at all.  I don't know what it can be that's wrong.  Can anyone help?

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11), G4 15 inch

Posted on Sep 9, 2015 11:36 AM

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Q: my powerbook G4 doesn't chime when I switch it on - Why?

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  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Sep 9, 2015 11:46 AM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith
    Level 9 (53,640 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 9, 2015 11:46 AM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

    If there is no startup chime then the Power On Start Up test has failed indicate a hardware problem.

     

    I suggest you return it for a refund because it is defective.

  • by Jane Elizabeth Smith,

    Jane Elizabeth Smith Jane Elizabeth Smith Sep 9, 2015 12:27 PM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 9, 2015 12:27 PM in response to Allan Eckert

    Thanks for prompt reply.  As this is eleven years old I did not expect a mac in pristine condition and didn't pay a lot for it.  Have you any idea what it may be that's wrong? and if I can fix it?  Thank you.

  • by Allan Eckert,Helpful

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Sep 9, 2015 12:41 PM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith
    Level 9 (53,640 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 9, 2015 12:41 PM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

    Not really from the information provided. It could be just about anything, CPU, RAM. You name it.

  • by Jane Elizabeth Smith,

    Jane Elizabeth Smith Jane Elizabeth Smith Sep 9, 2015 12:42 PM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 9, 2015 12:42 PM in response to Allan Eckert

    Do you reckon it's a hardware issue?  I promise this is the last question I'll ask

  • by Allan Eckert,Solvedanswer

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Sep 9, 2015 12:44 PM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith
    Level 9 (53,640 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 9, 2015 12:44 PM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

    Yes. That much is pretty sure that it is a hardware problem causing the failure of POST.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Sep 9, 2015 1:02 PM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith
    Level 5 (7,778 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 9, 2015 1:02 PM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

    Jane Elizabeth Smith wrote:

     

    I recently bought a powerbook G4 from an online auction site.  The machine was meant to be in excellent working condition & I wanted it mainly to play old games on that I can't bear to part with.  When I switched it on, it didn't make the usual characteristic apple 'chime' which puzzled me, though it did work.  Then when I installed my games, there was no sound within the short movies inside the games, though the sound works for other things.  I've checked up the software & installed 'Tiger' OS X 4.11 with classic support in order to play the games without a problem.  The seller suggested I reset the P ram but this hasn't made any difference at all.  I don't know what it can be that's wrong.  Can anyone help?

    • no Startup chime
    • with no startup chime, how are you judging whether or not you have successfully reset the PRAM? (it is that audible clue - the 2nd chime that let's you know)
    • no sound in embedded QT movies of game(s)
    • the sound works for other things

    This last tells you that it is not the sound card OR speakers OR your Mac 'thinking' there is headphones connected

     

    • What exactly do you mean by " ... I've checked up the software & installed 'Tiger' OS X 4.11  ..." ??

     

    Let's start over... [this is a cookie cutter reply, so pardon the simplicity] - details are what makes a good Story

     

    Tell us a Story - with a beginning, a middle and end. We need to understand everything that you know and have experienced.

    If this issue is new, tell us what immediately preceded its onset - add software, upgrade or update? New equipment?

     

    Quoted from  Apple's "How to write a good question"

       To help other members answer your question, give as many details as you can.

    • Include your product name and specs such as processor speed, memory, and storage capacity. Please do not include your Serial Number, IMEI, MEID, or other personal information.
    • Provide the version numbers of your operating system and relevant applications, for example "iOS 6.0.3" or "iPhoto 9.1.2".
    • Describe the problem, and include any details about what seems to cause it.
    • List any troubleshooting steps you've already tried, or temporary fixes you've discovered.

     

    For a detailed "coaching", please see the User Tip > "Help us to help you on these forums"<https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5431>

     

    "Keep It Short and Simple" - Take your time... but be thorough - ÇÇÇ

  • by Jane Elizabeth Smith,

    Jane Elizabeth Smith Jane Elizabeth Smith Sep 26, 2015 5:07 AM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 26, 2015 5:07 AM in response to Allan Eckert

    Thank you so much for replying.  It appears I still need help! 

    Does POST stand for something?  If its a hardware problem is it worth trying to find a part and mend it?  I'm sorry I've no experience of sorting out hardware problems with laptops.  I'm gutted I've been sold a dud.  I just want the thing to work properly!!  As a single damsel in distress with no handy knowledgable people around who know anything about apple macs, I do need a friendly hint and help with this issue.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Sep 26, 2015 7:04 AM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith
    Level 5 (7,778 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 26, 2015 7:04 AM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

    Howdy Jane

     

    Allow me to answer for our friend Allan in regard to POST = Power On Startup Test

     

    Additionally, I think what he is saying is there is no way to remotely diagnose what may be wrong.

     

    Since there seems to be no way to return your Mac, the next step will be to get it diagnosed professionally - hands on.

     

    Go here > Apple - Find Locations - U.S. - and find an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) near you (I think an Apple Store may not choose to service an old Powerbook, but it may be worth a phone call to find out)

     

    best luck and let us know

    ÇÇÇ

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Sep 26, 2015 7:16 AM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith
    Level 5 (7,778 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 26, 2015 7:16 AM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

    One further thing...

     

    You say you reset the PRAM, and I asked "How do you know?" To be sure, since there is no audible cue, perform the key combo until you are certain the reset happens by allowing it to do the cycle 3 or more times (this should be 'visibly' detectable)

     

    After that, test all that you normally do as reported in your first post - then let us know

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Sep 26, 2015 9:41 AM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith
    Level 8 (35,151 points)
    iPad
    Sep 26, 2015 9:41 AM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

    Look in the headphone port. Can you see a red light glowing?

  • by Martin Svika,Helpful

    Martin Svika Martin Svika Oct 4, 2015 2:15 PM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Notebooks
    Oct 4, 2015 2:15 PM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

    Had the same problem earlier this year with my Mac PowerBook G4 1.55 Ghz. It was a Bad RAM slot nearest the motherboard. Took the RAM module out

    and the Chime sound returned. Hope that helps you. But like many folks have mentioned here, it could be a number of problems.

    Keep checking.

  • by Jane Elizabeth Smith,

    Jane Elizabeth Smith Jane Elizabeth Smith Oct 4, 2015 2:22 PM in response to Martin Svika
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 4, 2015 2:22 PM in response to Martin Svika

    Thanks for your comments Martin.  I haven't ever tried opening up a laptop so might have a bit of difficulty locating the ram on it.  I do have an old macbook which has stopped displaying anything - I think something must've gone wrong with the graphics card perhaps.  It was displaying odd colours & then couldn't show the desktop properly at all before only showing a blue screen.  As I can't work with it any more, the only thing I can do is to take out the hard drive to destroy it since I can't wipe the data off it in the usual way.  I am sad it went like this and I feel this \G4 was not packed properly by the seller I bought it from and the damage must've occurred in transit.  All I wanted was a working machine that had classic support on it so I could play my old games on it.  Now I have two old machines that don't work!!  I'm gutted.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Oct 4, 2015 2:45 PM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith
    Level 5 (7,778 points)
    Notebooks
    Oct 4, 2015 2:45 PM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

    Howdy (again) Jane

     

    If I were you, I would load up my Macs after finding an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) near you and have them give them a good professional look - should be low cost to estimate repair/replacement.

     

    Start here > Apple - Find Locations - Country Selector - [Premium] is like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval from Apple.

     

    If you want to crack them open, let us know & we can offer advice on (1) identifying your exact models and (2) a place to find very good How To instructions