CapitolYahoo

Q: I just found a buyer for my original mint-condition G4 450 Cube (original everything) and it would not start! It was rarely used after being replaced by a brace of dual-450s so I am at a total loss as to what may have happened. Any suggestions?

I just found a buyer for my original mint-condition G4 450 Cube (original everything) and it would not start! It was rarely used after being replaced by a brace of dual-450s so I am at a total loss as to what may have happened. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Mac Pro 8 core 2.26 GHz, Mac Mini, G5, G4s, Cube, original iMac..., Mac OS X (10.6.2), Mac OS X (10.4.11), Mac OS 9.2.2...

Posted on Jun 9, 2016 8:48 AM

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Q: I just found a buyer for my original mint-condition G4 450 Cube (original everything) and it would not start! It was rarely used a ... more

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  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Jun 9, 2016 2:03 PM in response to CapitolYahoo
    Level 6 (13,660 points)
    iPad
    Jun 9, 2016 2:03 PM in response to CapitolYahoo

    Might need a new PRAM battery.

    A dead one will let the Mac startup.

     

    If U.S. cheapest source here.

     

    https://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/BAA36VPRAM/

     

    If from elsewhere outside U.S., you"ll need to search for a source if OWC (macsales.com) doesn't ship to your location.

  • by CapitolYahoo,

    CapitolYahoo CapitolYahoo Jun 9, 2016 2:21 PM in response to MichelPM
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 9, 2016 2:21 PM in response to MichelPM

    Thank you for your suggestion. The battery reads 3.6V on my meter so I think it's good. Is there any convenient way to test the external power supply? I don't see any signs of life when I run my finger over either start button (computer or monitor).

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jun 13, 2016 6:39 AM in response to CapitolYahoo
    Level 9 (53,675 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 13, 2016 6:39 AM in response to CapitolYahoo

    Ideally a PRAM battery needs to be tested under load.  I have tested many a battery while not under load and found a simple voltage to indicate something about the battery's capability but in theory a battery could read 3.6V as long as you aren't asking it to actually do anything.

     

    PRAM could also be corrupt.  Texas Mac Man's PRAM, battery, PMU tutorial - https://sites.google.com/site/macpram/mac-pram-nvram-cuda-pmu-battery-tutorial

     

    I am unfamiliar with the Cube and how it works so if you say there is an external power supply then I take your word for it.  I thought all the desktop models used internal power and then plugged into the wall. If you have a multimeter you can test if the power supply is at least producing the correct voltage.

  • by CapitolYahoo,

    CapitolYahoo CapitolYahoo Jun 13, 2016 9:43 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 13, 2016 9:43 AM in response to Limnos

    The power supply output to the computer has a round connector with 4 pins surrounded by a quarter-inch diameter metal sleeve. My ancient Simpson 260 meter tells me that the voltage between each of the four pins and the metal sleeve is 7 VAC. I can't read most of the information on the power supply because the type is almost exactly the same color as the background, but I believe the label indicates 28V and 205W. If so, does that suggest that the power supply is working properly?

     

    FYI, The Cube was Apple's first "super computer" with performance measured in gigaflops, and remarkably tiny for its day. It certainly anticipates both the Mac Mini and the most current Mac Pro. It was pleasantly silent for a desktop because it was air-cooled, but it was too small to contain the power supply, which by itself is about 5.5" x 7" x 2" in size.