iMac G4 black Screen no sound light on

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Level 2

166 points

iMac G4 black Screen no sound light on

I have had my iMac G4 since new and have had no problems. It is set to sleep mode and typically pressing a key or moving the mouse brings it to life. the other day I tried and got nothing. The little white light on the screen was lit and the fan was running so I know I have power. I wasn't sure what was wrong but decided to try a power switch shut down since I couldn't see the screen and couldn't get anywhere that way. What I noticed when I powered up again was no sound either. No Mac "Bong" sound, nothing. I tried again, only this time leaving it off for several hours. Tried again and nothing-no sound and no screen. Anyone have any ideas?

iMac Flat Screen G4 640, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Jun 10, 2007 5:14 PM

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Answer 1

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jun 11, 2007 2:40 AM in response to Paul Tabone1

Hello and Welcome to Apple Discussions.

Have a read of this User Tip (link).

Let us know how you get on.

mrtotes

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Answer 2

Paul Tabone1 Author

Level 2

166 points

Jun 11, 2007 4:01 PM in response to mrtotes

I got beeps instead of bongs and still have a black screen. Reading everything there was to read, and having tried everything I could (I have no access to another flat screen) I admitted defeat and just picked up a new iMac 17" with 2GB. The old girl lasted for over 5 years, and while i don't believe it should have died, I'm willing to accept The need for an upgrade. I believe I can recover data from the old unit without too much trouble and then I'll move on.

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Answer 3

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jun 11, 2007 5:03 PM in response to Paul Tabone1

How many beeps rather than the start-up chime do you get?

Power On Self Test fails.

mrtotes

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Answer 4

Paul Tabone1 Author

Level 2

166 points

Jun 11, 2007 5:40 PM in response to mrtotes

Three. Plus the white light at the bottom of the screen seems to blink in a pattern as well, bright, dim, bright, dim either three or four times. then it stops and starts up again.

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Answer 5

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jun 11, 2007 5:55 PM in response to Paul Tabone1

Try popping the bottom off the iMac and reseating the SODIMM RAM.

Instructions (link).

regards

mrtotes

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Answer 6

Paul Tabone1 Author

Level 2

166 points

Jun 12, 2007 2:02 PM in response to mrtotes

Got the bongs back! But still nothing on the screen, just black.

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Answer 7

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jun 12, 2007 4:25 PM in response to Paul Tabone1

Good. Now you can use Firewire Target Disk Mode (link) to recover your data to the new iMac.

mrtotes

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Answer 8

Paul Tabone1 Author

Level 2

166 points

Jun 12, 2007 5:18 PM in response to mrtotes

Thanks for all your help! This is a great group with very knowledgeable people.

I'll post the final results in a few days.

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Answer 9

Paul Tabone1 Author

Level 2

166 points

Jun 13, 2007 1:25 PM in response to Paul Tabone1

Progress report.

Bought the Firewire cable. Tried the startup holding the T key. Can't see because of no screen. No luck. Tried a restart on the new computer using the target disc. Got the bouncing Firewire icon/screen. Tried again. No luck. Did a total shutdown on the old unit before trying each time but no go Joe.

Dang!!

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Answer 10

Paul Tabone1 Author

Level 2

166 points

Jun 21, 2007 6:44 AM in response to Paul Tabone1

Resolved the problem with a new iMac. Now i need to import the data from the old HD.

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Answer 11

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jun 21, 2007 8:05 AM in response to Paul Tabone1

Can you run FTDM without the screen? You should be able to unless there is a bigger problem with the iMac.

mrtotes

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Answer 12

Paul Tabone1 Author

Level 2

166 points

Jun 21, 2007 8:35 AM in response to mrtotes

I already removed the HD from the iMac and have it connected to the new unit. What I was saying is I just need to go through the mechanics of the data transfer. I can actually se the "old" HD on the new computer and can open it. It's only going to be a matter of doing things correctly to get the old data in to the proper locations and readable.

Thanks

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Answer 13

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jun 22, 2007 2:26 AM in response to Paul Tabone1

Given that you're going from a PowerPC to an Intel Mac it is not advised to use any automated system to copy applications over. You should re-install applications from their original install discs. I'd advise repairing permissions on both drives first and then run Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant.

Click "Continue"
Enter your admin password
Choose "From another Volume on this Mac"
Select the old drive name. Click "Continue".
1. Select the User accounts you wish to transfer.
2. Don't migrate Applications, 'Files and Folders' or Library.
3. Select any extra partitions you wish to transfer across.
4. Select which settings you wish to transfer across.
Click Migrate.

You will get an error if you have already established a new account on the Intel iMac with the same name as the old one but MA will warn you.

Hope that helps.

mrtotes

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Answer 14

Paul Tabone1 Author

Level 2

166 points

Jun 22, 2007 3:37 AM in response to mrtotes

Thanks

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