2005 iMac G5 Lines on Screen

[dbdjre0143]

So, I spotted this iMac up on ShopGoodwill (https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/53511352, MODS, not my auction). The screen is covered in vertical lines. At the current price, it would only cost $20 shipped to my location, so I'm interested, but I was hoping y'all could give some advice on what may be the root cause. I've read that there are some known display issues with the iMac G5's. Would this be a failing panel or perhaps a failing graphics chip? I'm interested in picking up my first G5 at the current price, but I don't want to go down a rabbit hole of expensive repairs. Thanks a bushel for the insight!

 

[Juicy Box]

. I've read that there are some known display issues with the iMac G5's.

I had one of the G5s that had issues. The capacitors go bad on either the gpu, the power supply, or both. I can't remember, as it has been a long time.

I took mine apart with the intention of replacing the bad caps, but I never got around to it, and just trashed it. It was one of the only Macs that I have purchased, that stopped working and I end up getting rid of.

 

[AphoticD]

Personally, I would avoid buying an iMac G5 with display and/or graphics issues. It’s not likely to be an easy fix.

I could be wrong, but my understanding is that vertical lines are a fault of the panel itself - typically the little ICs on the thin ribbon-like PCBs which fold around to the rear of the panel become fatigued with years of heat and the tiny amounts of solder holding the components onto these bendable boards can give way causing a loss of contact in various positions.

If you search around you’ll see some youtubers doing temporary repairs to various LCD panels by putting pressure on the ICs on these thin boards (using rubber inserts and the like). This might work for some time or it might be a wasted effort. The best option would be a replacement panel or just live with it.

 

[dbdjre0143]

Personally, I would avoid buying an iMac G5 with display and/or graphics issues. It’s not likely to be an easy fix.

I could be wrong, but my understanding is that vertical lines are a fault of the panel itself - typically the little ICs on the thin ribbon-like PCBs which fold around to the rear of the panel become fatigued with years of heat and the tiny amounts of solder holding the components onto these bendable boards can give way causing a loss of contact in various positions.

If you search around you’ll see some youtubers doing temporary repairs to various LCD panels by putting pressure on the ICs on these thin boards (using rubber inserts and the like). This might work for some time or it might be a wasted effort. The best option would be a replacement panel or just live with it.

Appreciate the insight. "Just live with it" wouldn't be an option for my OCD. At any rate, if it stays at the current price when it ends in a couple hours, I may or may not gamble on picking it up. I've been itching to get ahold of a G5 of some variety, and an iMac seems like a decent compromise until I hopefully someday can get my hands on a Quad.

 

[1042686]

The lcd swap is not a hard job. I swapped the lcd on my 24” white Intel imac. Once you get the bezel off, it’s a straight forward proposition.

If it’s the GPU, that’s a bit more of an in depth (also repaired & swapped this a few times) process but is still completely doable. Just be mindful of the many cables & screws - document your process with photos if need be & you’llbe Fine.

The lcd is cheap too - around $30-40 bucks shipped. Didn’t look at the GPU pricing which could be a whole lot higher but assuming it’s the lcd/harness that’s faulty, replacing that is no big deal.

Of course for the $60 bucks you’d have in it, you would be close to the price of a non-dud imac g5 like the $90 shipped bin of this one.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/153052386511

(No idea who’s auction this is btw)

And that’s assuming the GPU also doesn’t have one foot in the grave - otherwise you’ll be in it knee-deep for that too & fully in the dollars-spent range of a nice & clean iMac g5 that works. Best if Luck to you.

 

[dbdjre0143]

Alright, y'all have managed to talk me out of it. The Mac plus a screen would be about $52 with a spares screen I found on eBay. That is a bit much to gamble on the screen certainly being the issue in my book. The G5 itch will have to wait until another day. My wife thanks you all by proxy for keeping me from bringing in another "project".

 

[1042686]

Hey Don’t put THAT on my shoulders. After all, I did post to a perfectly good fully functioning one.

 

[dbdjre0143]

After all, I did post to a perfectly good fully functioning one.

That one was much more expensive for shipping to me than you. Shipping to WV for that one is $72.52.

 

[AphoticD]

Keep your options open. A local, good quality G5 of some description will surely pop up soon.

If it’s the architecture and not the form factor you’re looking for, then go for a late 2005 Dual or Quad Core tower, you’ll be much happier with this than a single core all-in-one.

 

[z970]

I'd go with a DC 2.3. It'll have less risks attached than a Quad, and it will probably be cheaper too.

Eats less energy, as well.

 

[dbdjre0143]

Keep your options open. A local, good quality G5 of some description will surely pop up soon.

If it’s the architecture and not the form factor you’re looking for, then go for a late 2005 Dual or Quad Core tower, you’ll be much happier with this than a single core all-in-one.

Yeah, very true. I keep waiting trying to hold out for a Quad. I'm usually pretty patient, waited for months until I found my DLSD PB at a price I was willing to pay.
It's only when I see something dirt cheap that I start getting tempted to jump the gun, because PPC Macs for sale where I live are few and far between. Still, not like I need it. I have way more hardware than I need as-is.

 

[Juicy Box]

I'd go with a DC 2.3. It'll have less risks attached than a Quad, and it will probably be cheaper too.

Eats less energy, as well.

I have a 2.3 since 2005, and the fans on it are really loud, I am not sure if the quad is the same, but the 2.3 sounds like a vacuum cleaner sometimes.

 

[z970]

I have a 2.3 since 2005, and the fans on it are really loud, I am not sure if the quad is the same, but the 2.3 sounds like a vacuum cleaner sometimes.

Something is wrong with it.

Try taking an Apple Service Diagnostics 2.6.3 disc and running thermal calibration on it. If that doesn't work, replace the thermal paste.

 

[Juicy Box]

Something is wrong with it.

Try taking an Apple Service Diagnostics 2.6.3 disc and running thermal calibration on it. If that doesn't work, replace the thermal paste.

Here is definitely something wrong with it, it has been a while since I have messed with it, and I can't remember what the issue was, although I think it had something to do with the logic board.

But, it doesn't run loud all the time, just under a heavy load. Also, I remember reading that other users experienced the same thing.

 

[1042686]

Of all of my g5 era ppc desktops, my fav is my air-cooled dual core 2ghz. No leaks to worry about with speeds on par with my white intel coreduo imac. Smart money is on one of these IMO. all ppcs are cool & fun to play with, upgrade, mod etc. but just out of usability & speed/productivity, you can’t beat the dual/quad core ppc boxes. Theyre noticeably faster and I think you’ll like that - certainly your wife will were she to use it & with the dual core systems, there’s no 14+ year old leaky LCS to deal with. Anyhoo I got mine on CL for $40 so deals are out there. Be patient & one (or 10) will fall in your lap before you know it. Best of luck to you.

 

[z970]

But, it doesn't run loud all the time, just under a heavy load.

My DC 2.0 constantly has its fans at a very steady pace. Apple did something to the PCIe models which made the noise far more manageable.

Of all of my g5 era ppc desktops, my fav is my air-cooled dual core 2ghz. No leaks to worry about with speeds on par with my white intel coreduo imac. Smart money is on one of these IMO. all ppcs are cool & fun to play with, upgrade, mod etc. but just out of usability & speed/productivity, you can’t beat the dual/quad core ppc boxes. Theyre noticeably faster and I think you’ll like that - certainly your wife will were she to use it & with the dual core systems, there’s no 14+ year old leaky LCS to deal with. Anyhoo I got mine on CL for $40 so deals are out there. Be patient & one (or 10) will fall in your lap before you know it. Best of luck to you.

Hear hear.

I'd stay away from shipping those things, though. All too many times, I've seen smashed G5s coming in from the post because too many people are idiots at packing computers. Always try local / physical pick-up options if you can.

Then again, MDDs could be a safer compromise if absolute on buying via mail. That L3 cache is a force to be reckoned with, which is something the G5 doesn't have. It will make running Tiger / Leopard a very smooth experience. Plus, two optical drives / sexier design.