Hi guys.
Being the IT guy at work, I've inherited a (currently) non-functioning Dual 2.0 GHz PowerMac G5. It' exhibiting some pretty odd symptoms. Let me explain:
First of all, the problems started with the machine coming on (fans audible, Apple chime 'chimes'), but nothing was displayed on the screen. This led me to believe if might be a video card issue, so we ordered a replacement from OWC and no dice. After trying this, I happened to leave the machine on unintentionally for a while, and after about 5 minutes, the fans ramped up to full speed, very loudly. Since we were in a bit of a time crunch (and it was out of warranty) we gave up on it, and purchased our graphics designer a new Mac Pro.
With a bit of googling, I determined that this sound a bit like a dead PRAM battery. So once again, off to OWC I went and purchased a replacement. I get it setup at home last night, and still no dice. If fires up just fine and chimes, but no image on the screen. And here's where it gets weird...
I powered the machine down, and took the cover off to check the PRAM battery again, thinking I may have inadvertently put it in backwards. It looked fine (fits both ways, BTW, so I'm still not 100% sure I have it in right), so I powered the machine backup--but without putting the cover on accidentally. The red light on the mobo came on indicating the cover was off, but I figured I'd wait to see what would happen first. Still nothing on the screen, so I popped the plastic shield in and latched the side cover, and BOOM! Wouldn't you know, it displays an image! I can see a folder icon with the Finder icon on it.
This is 100% reproducible every single time. If I turn it on with the cover ON, I can never get an image to display. However, if I remove the cover and plastic shield, fire it up, then replace the shield and cover, I always get the folder with Finder icon.
This is quite perplexing. I should also note that I had my retail Leopard install disc in the drive the whole time, hoping to boot to the DVD if I got an image. It obviously wasn't automatically booting from the DVD, but instead would always display the Finder icon.
Being a post-PowerPC Mac convert, I'm not really sure how to proceed. Any suggestions on what to do/try next? I'm still not really convinced that there is an underlying hardware issue still, but I suppose it's a possibility.
What say ye?
Being the IT guy at work, I've inherited a (currently) non-functioning Dual 2.0 GHz PowerMac G5. It' exhibiting some pretty odd symptoms. Let me explain:
First of all, the problems started with the machine coming on (fans audible, Apple chime 'chimes'), but nothing was displayed on the screen. This led me to believe if might be a video card issue, so we ordered a replacement from OWC and no dice. After trying this, I happened to leave the machine on unintentionally for a while, and after about 5 minutes, the fans ramped up to full speed, very loudly. Since we were in a bit of a time crunch (and it was out of warranty) we gave up on it, and purchased our graphics designer a new Mac Pro.
With a bit of googling, I determined that this sound a bit like a dead PRAM battery. So once again, off to OWC I went and purchased a replacement. I get it setup at home last night, and still no dice. If fires up just fine and chimes, but no image on the screen. And here's where it gets weird...
I powered the machine down, and took the cover off to check the PRAM battery again, thinking I may have inadvertently put it in backwards. It looked fine (fits both ways, BTW, so I'm still not 100% sure I have it in right), so I powered the machine backup--but without putting the cover on accidentally. The red light on the mobo came on indicating the cover was off, but I figured I'd wait to see what would happen first. Still nothing on the screen, so I popped the plastic shield in and latched the side cover, and BOOM! Wouldn't you know, it displays an image! I can see a folder icon with the Finder icon on it.
This is 100% reproducible every single time. If I turn it on with the cover ON, I can never get an image to display. However, if I remove the cover and plastic shield, fire it up, then replace the shield and cover, I always get the folder with Finder icon.
This is quite perplexing. I should also note that I had my retail Leopard install disc in the drive the whole time, hoping to boot to the DVD if I got an image. It obviously wasn't automatically booting from the DVD, but instead would always display the Finder icon.
Being a post-PowerPC Mac convert, I'm not really sure how to proceed. Any suggestions on what to do/try next? I'm still not really convinced that there is an underlying hardware issue still, but I suppose it's a possibility.
What say ye?