Back to the G4 for now--G5 SATA issues

[ptdebate]

So--I've hooked back up the trusty G4 after I couldn't get my G5 to boot.

I've tried both the SATA ports and they aren't recognizing drives at all. First, it was just rail A that wasn't working, and now B isn't either.

I'm actually a little glad to be using the G4 again, and it actually holds up quite well by comparison to the later-model PowerMac. I opted for an SSD as the boot drive this time and surprising, it seems a lot faster than the WD 7200RPM SATA III drive that I was using previously.

Edit: Also, if anyone is interested, while I was configuring the G4 I decided to test my G5's OEM Radeon 9650 (256mb RAM, Dual-Link) and it worked automatically with no drivers necessary. After testing the 9650, I reinstalled the FireGL X3 after downloading the 4.5.7 drivers from ATI).

 

[Altemose]

Did you try hitting the reset button on the G5?

 

[ptdebate]

Did you try hitting the reset button on the G5?

No I didn't! I'm totally new to G5s so I wasn't aware of that possible solution. Where is the reset button located?

 

[redheeler]

No I didn't! I'm totally new to G5s so I wasn't aware of that possible solution. Where is the reset button located?

On the logic board, under the RAM.

 

[ptdebate]

On the logic board, under the RAM.

Should I press it when the system is on or when it's off?

 

[redheeler]

Should I press it when the system is on or when it's off?

See this support article: http://support.apple.com/HT1436

 

[Gamer9430]

Back to the G4 for now--G5 SATA issues

Should I press it when the system is on or when it's off?

Off, but plugged in. This happened to me once and after pressing the SMU reset button, it worked fine.

 

[ptdebate]

Thank you guys. I think i might set this guy up with my 9600XT (an ADC card) and a Studio Display as a guest computer now that my G4 is back in business.

 

[Gamer9430]

Thank you guys. I think i might set this guy up with my 9600XT (an ADC card) and a Studio Display as a guest computer now that my G4 is back in business.

So both work?

 

[ptdebate]

So both work?

I won't be able to fix the situation with the drives until I get home later but I'll keep you posted #

 

[Gamer9430]

I won't be able to fix the situation with the drives until I get home later but I'll keep you posted

Ah ok, good luck!

 

[Altemose]

I won't be able to fix the situation with the drives until I get home later but I'll keep you posted #

Definitely report back with the outcome!

 

[tevion5]

Off, but plugged in. This happened to me once and after pressing the SMU reset button, it worked fine.

Isn't this still, a little dangerous? Maybe I'm over cautious, but when working with the inside of a Mac os PC I always make sure it's off and disconnected from the mains. Probably more to protect damage to the MOBO than myself, but I'm still hesitant nonetheless!

 

[Gamer9430]

Isn't this still, a little dangerous? Maybe I'm over cautious, but when working with the inside of a Mac os PC I always make sure it's off and disconnected from the mains. Probably more to protect damage to the MOBO than myself, but I'm still hesitant nonetheless!

Frankly, I might be wrong about that. I could have sworn I just had it plugged in and off. As long as you discharge yourself, you can't really damage the MOBO, unless you physically break it.

 

[ptdebate]

Definitely report back with the outcome!

I pushed the reset button and it seems to have fixed the issue. Thanks again!

 

[A.Goldberg]

I pushed the reset button and it seems to have fixed the issue. Thanks again!

Great! Easy fix there

 

[Altemose]

I pushed the reset button and it seems to have fixed the issue. Thanks again!

Glad it worked out! Report back if you need any more help.

 

[bunnspecial]

Isn't this still, a little dangerous? Maybe I'm over cautious, but when working with the inside of a Mac os PC I always make sure it's off and disconnected from the mains. Probably more to protect damage to the MOBO than myself, but I'm still hesitant nonetheless!

Repair manuals seem to be split on the issue, but I've seen many that suggest leaving the computer plugged in while servicing internal components. The reason is that when the computer is plugged in, the chassis is still connected to earth ground, which makes it easy to discharge any static built up on your hands by just touching any convenient metal part. You can also connect a wrist strap-if you are using one-to the chassis.

The only things I really unplug are AIOs with a CRT(i.e. iMac G3s, eMacs) since those have dangerous voltages inside and I don't want to give them an convenient earth ground through which they can discharge by way of my hand/body. Of course computers I also unplug computers where leaving them plugged in is a big inconvenience(iMac G4s). I generally leave towers plugged in.

Occasionally, I have a RAM slot start acting up in my work G5, and it will only see 6gb instead of the 10gb installed. Removing and re-installing the two 2gb modules always fixes the problem. One day, a co-worker saw me doing this and gave me a hard time for not unplugging the computer. I gave him the same explanation as above.

A day or two later, the same co-worker and I were talking about ordering WiFi card for a couple of the lab computers. Much to my surprise, he walked over to a turned on and running Dell, pulled the side panel, and yanked out a PCI Wi-Fi card from it without shutting it down . I'm pretty sure the computer gave a BSOD immediately, as one would expect. I gave him a really hard time over that.