tyler1623

Q: PowerMac G4 - Boots up only to Apple Logo. Nothing Else.

Hi,

 

So I have a PowerMac G4 ... Yeah pretty old. Well Its been working all this time and I love it alot.

 

However today, It only powers up to the Apple logo. and Nothing else happens. Ive done some methods to try to get it working again. It recognizes that the HDD is there and I can select it. But thats pretty much it.

 

I should also mention I do not have the original Keyboard or mouse. I do have the Windows keyboard though :/

PowerMac G4, Mac OS X (10.3.x), null

Posted on Sep 30, 2016 11:25 AM

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Q: PowerMac G4 - Boots up only to Apple Logo. Nothing Else.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Sep 30, 2016 11:25 AM in response to tyler1623
    Level 6 (8,075 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 30, 2016 11:25 AM in response to tyler1623

    shutdown

    disconnect all external devices

    boot into safe mode

    Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support

     

    if you've done that specify in your "I've done some methods" which is no help unless you can detail what those were.

  • by tyler1623,

    tyler1623 tyler1623 Sep 30, 2016 11:28 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 30, 2016 11:28 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    I did the Safe Mode method. Still stuck on Apple Logo.

     

    Did the Disk Check (I think thats what its called) It showed that the HDD is connected.

  • by tyler1623,

    tyler1623 tyler1623 Sep 30, 2016 11:49 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 30, 2016 11:49 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    I have a feeling it could have something to do with the Internal Clock because before this issue occured the date/time would reset often when I logged in.

  • by K Shaffer,Solvedanswer

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Sep 30, 2016 12:14 PM in response to tyler1623
    Level 6 (14,441 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 30, 2016 12:14 PM in response to tyler1623

    The lithium 3.6v 1/2AA battery keeps PRAM settings; when it loses

    ability to hold the suitable charge, you need to replace it. This can

    interfere with normal startup. As part of troubleshooting routine you

    may find that contributing; if not, it's one less thing - if replaced.

     

    Do you have an external drive capable of starting the PPC G4 from

    a full system clone? (That would likely be a FireWire enclosure; with

    its own power supply.) This can be very helpful in troubleshooting

    and restoring a system if the hard disk drive in the Mac is bad.

     

    Good luck!

  • by tyler1623,

    tyler1623 tyler1623 Sep 30, 2016 12:15 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 30, 2016 12:15 PM in response to K Shaffer

    That might be why it wont start up. I will see if I can get another one. If not, I would like to know if possible that I could connect the HDD to an external drive and connect it to my current PC and boot it from that?

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 1, 2016 12:06 AM in response to tyler1623
    Level 6 (14,441 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 1, 2016 12:06 AM in response to tyler1623

    The system on the PowerMac hard drive won't boot or run an Intel-based PC

    or Intel-based Mac. There are specific reasons why this is so; and why later

    Macs with Intel-based hardware cannot run old PPC based OS X.

     

    FireWire ports and speeds work differently in an older Mac PPC, and were

    a superior access method; helpful in troubleshooting & bootable full clones.

     

    Example of newertech 3.6v lithium PRAM battery for certain desktop Macs:

    https://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/BAA36VPRAM/  ($3.95 US)

     

    Hopefully a new battery - & reset of the Power Management Unit - can help.

     

    • Resetting PMU on Power Mac G5, Power Mac G4, Power Macintosh G3 - Apple Support

    Has images of reset button location, on logic board of select model PPC tower Macs.

     

    Reset the Power Management chip in your Mac: (some links inoperative)

    http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/resetpmchip.html

     

    Otherwise, another area to check may be power supply; some had issue in

    the capacitors, where visible or invisible damage may indicate failure. Also

    to check connectors and cards for snug fit throughout the Power Mac is

    one of the things to do if there is a chance of any being loose. Be sure to

    be properly grounded, so as to not incite an electrical short. If the power unit

    is still plugged into the mains, you could touch its metal case, to ground your

    self out; then before touching circuit board or removing parts, wear grounding

    wrist strap. {I've stripped a faulty PowerMac tower down to the case, in process

    of troubleshooting. And took every part off the logic board to try & find causes

    behind problems it had.} Between loose connectors and a few spare screws a

    previous owner had lost inside (between logic board & case, and moved around

    to create various shorting events every so often.) And so, you may be surprised.

     

    Good luck & happy trails!