PPCuser

Q: G5 Powerpc won't start with external USB plugged in

Powerpc G5 duel core 2.3 won't start up when I have my external 500GB usb drive switched on  but it works perfectly okay if I boot

with it switched off and then boot and switched it on after my mac has booted into Leopard 10.5.8 the external USB drive is a TARGA 500MB

I have a WD elements 2.TB drive plugged in all the time as well and I have no problem with that,it's a pain to remember to switch it on an off all the time.

anyone have any ideas on this.

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), PowerPC Duel Core 2.3Mhz

Posted on May 18, 2016 2:38 AM

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Q: G5 Powerpc won't start with external USB plugged in

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  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones May 18, 2016 6:57 AM in response to PPCuser
    Level 8 (35,022 points)
    iPad
    May 18, 2016 6:57 AM in response to PPCuser

    Does the external drive have an independent power supply?

     

    What happens if you attach the external to a different USB port?

  • by PPCuser,

    PPCuser PPCuser May 18, 2016 4:51 PM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    May 18, 2016 4:51 PM in response to Allan Jones

    Yes it does have its own power supply and same happens whatever USB port I plug it into the 2tb drive I have

    does not have a separate power supply.I can use the drive on my G4  AGP with same OS 10.5.8 with no problems.

    It seems something peculiar to the G5

     

    Christopher.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua May 18, 2016 10:55 PM in response to PPCuser
    Level 10 (123,496 points)
    May 18, 2016 10:55 PM in response to PPCuser

    What exactly happens when you try to start it with it plugged in?

     

    How far does it get?

     

    Is there a spinning Radial showing?

     

    With it plugged in, hold the alt key ubtil you see boot choices, does that work?

  • by PPCuser,

    PPCuser PPCuser May 19, 2016 6:11 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    May 19, 2016 6:11 AM in response to BDAqua

    to: BDAqua

    if I start up with it switched on I do not get anything on screen and after a little while the fans are going at full speed

    but with it switched on and pressing alt key to get the boot choices screen and selecting my HD it will boot normaly

    and I see the icon for my external drive on screen after boot.

     

    Christopher.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua May 20, 2016 2:58 AM in response to PPCuser
    Level 10 (123,496 points)
    May 20, 2016 2:58 AM in response to PPCuser

    Hmm, seems some timing error and possibly a failing PSU on the exteral drive.

  • by PPCuser,

    PPCuser PPCuser May 20, 2016 2:04 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    May 20, 2016 2:04 PM in response to BDAqua

    I wouldn't have thought there is anything wrong with my external drive orits power supply as it works okay on any of my other systems

    ie mac G4, my linux laptop and  windows XP PC.  It's just my G5 at boot up that throws a fit with it if I switch it on after boot its fine.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua May 20, 2016 7:48 PM in response to PPCuser
    Level 10 (123,496 points)
    May 20, 2016 7:48 PM in response to PPCuser

    You may be right, but it still may be a USB power issue on the G5, maybe only early in the boot process, how many mA are UAB devices on the G5 using?