Dumpster iMac

[samsonlonghair]

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[Frag Mortuus]

Im not 100% sure on Macs but with a PC if you arent getting power to ANYTHING, then it is almost ALWAYS a power supply issue. My advice is to take the PSU out of your PC and try it in the Mac. Im assuming a PC PSU would work in a Mac, I dont really think Apple would go as far as to make all of their components run off of a special PSU with proprietary connections.

[samsonlonghair]

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[Frag Mortuus]

Not that Im aware of. Macs are pretty proprietary so Im not sure of anyone that is a certified Mac technician (which you have to be to work on a Mac).

Where are you at?

[samsonlonghair]

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[Hobie-wan]

PS failures are a pain in the butt. There are lots of different voltages that come put of them in the PC world, I'm sure they're similar for Macs. Just because the trickle voltage is working doesn't mean that the other power channels used when running are working. Check the board for any burns or popped capacitors. If possible, borrow another power supply from a working G5 and try.

[17DaysOlderThanNES]

As a life long mac user, take my advice and stay away from anything non-intel. We had a G4 iMac and when we updated OS X, almost none of the applications would run. If you want to have a mac as a primary computer, you NEED an intel processor. Motorola processors were great in their day, but almost no one continues to support them.

[Koopin_Krackerz]

It sounds like you really know your stuff! I really am not all that great with repairing computers but with experience, the "click" noises could be the hard drive trying to read. I have a Clamshell iBook that made this noise (very similar to a clock ticking) and the hard drive crapped out on me. After you solve the your power issue, you might want to check it out.

[Frag Mortuus]

I don't care much about certification really. If someone could just test out these components with a multi-meter or show me how to do it myself I'd be happy. I don't want to drop a hundred bucks on a new power supply just to find out the whole rest of the system is fried too.

Right now I'm at Concord University scavenging for free computer components. I live in the Princeton / Bluefield area.

I went to Concord for a few years as a graphic design major, then decided I didnt want to do that (after completing 3 years of a 4 year degree) and switched to Bluefield State for computer science. I graduate in May. I actually live near Concord, on Unity Road, the one that is between BB&T and athens town hall. The road that Teen Challenge is on.

As far as a multimeter, I would suggest taking it to future tech in princeton, near the courthouse. I would assume they wouldnt charge too much just to check if the PSU is working.

[CRTGAMER]

As a life long mac user, take my advice and stay away from anything non-intel. We had a G4 iMac and when we updated OS X, almost none of the applications would run. If you want to have a mac as a primary computer, you NEED an intel processor. Motorola processors were great in their day, but almost no one continues to support them.

Right now I am using an iMac G3 typing this with OSX/OS9 dual, no problems. Run all Mac older OS9 games, Safari, and MS Office. What can I say, I like Retro!

It sounds like you really know your stuff! I really am not all that great with repairing computers but with experience, the "click" noises could be the hard drive trying to read. I have a Clamshell iBook that made this noise (very similar to a clock ticking) and the hard drive crapped out on me. After you solve the your power issue, you might want to check it out.

Electrical tester will confirm power outs on that supply. I agree, pop that shell and listen to that drive. That or maybe a cooling fan rubbing somewhere interfering with power consumption. Also maybe eject CD if there is one in there. You can get a replacement small IDE pretty cheap. Unlike my G3 your iMac does not need firmware update to reinstall OSX.

Man I love Wiki! Look at the history and Specs on this classic beauty:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMac_G5

More help:
http://www.jimwarholic.com/labels/iMac_G5.php
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Device/iMac ... odel_A1076