Dead iMac G3 (Summer 2001)

I acquired an old G3 iMac SE and wanted to attempt a repair on it, or even just learn more about the inner workings. It had no RAM when I got it and the only sticks I have on hand are PC-100 (32 Megs) and PC-133 (64 Megs). Other than the RAM, everything else appears to be standard. Here are the specs, based upon the Apple site, per the serial number:


Order no M8510LL/A—Graphite
Processor 700-MHz PowerPC G3
Level 2 cache 256K at 700 MHz
Memory (PC100 SDRAM) 256MB
Hard disk drive1 60GB Ultra ATA
Optical drive CD-RW
Graphics support ATI RAGE 128 Ultra with 16MB SDRAM
FireWire Two ports
USB Two ports (12 Mbps each)
VGA video mirroring Yes
Fax modem2 56K V.90
Ethernet 10/100BASE-T



With only the 32 Meg stick in, the machine will not boot up at all when pressing the power button. I have observed a green LED on the mainboard, near the RAM slots, lighting when I press the power button. At the same moment, I can hear the faintest whir sound begin and then end. The LED remains on until I press and hold the power button once more.

I am in the process of downloading the service manual for this model from a friend and plan to delve a little further into the innards once I have the manual. If anyone has any suggestions for trouble-shooting or problem solving in the meantime, I would appreciate it. Thanks!!

Intel iMac 17", G5 iMac 20", G4 Powerbook 15", G3 iMac Mac OS X (10.4.8) 1 Gig RAM, 1 Terabyte total household storage

Posted on Jan 12, 2007 12:28 PM

Reply
3 replies

Jan 12, 2007 12:46 PM in response to B_Ragle

UPDATE

I pulled the hard drive and installed it in an external enclosure. It checks out as healthy from all the tests I can run from my current machine and I can read all the files. It obviously had OS 9 installed. It also is not the original drive from the system specs. It is only 10 gigs. At any rate, the drive works just fine.

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Dead iMac G3 (Summer 2001)

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