Help. My emac died. I've tried it all and the last thing I think it is is the capacitors I just can't prove it. I would like to find out if someone would sell me a compatable emac so I can place the hard drive in it to see if it'll boot. Not even sure that would work. I don't really have to have the data its just kind of a project to me. I've been a Mac User since day one. I hope I posted this correctly.
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emac
- Thread starter ForesterTom
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If you are able to provide more details on what you mean by 'died' and 'tried it all' you will likely get more help. It's not really possible to provide any specific help at the moment, please ellaborate on your eMac's issues. Typically a troubleshooting workflow for a non-booting system will begin with testing your software install before moving down to the hardware.
It began with me pushing the start button with nothing happening, no lights mo sound.. Nothing. I checked the plug strip to the wall, it had electricity. I checked the logic battery. It was dead so I replaced it. Then I took out and reinstalled the ram. Then I let it sit with no battery and unplugged for hours. Nothing. I checked the capacitors all seemed fine. Hope this helps describe why I said it's dead.
I’ve been told that opening an emac could lead to electrocution because of the voltage remaining in the cathode ray tubes. You may just have to accept it’s gone.
That would only happen if you touch the wrong components/do not wait for a sufficient amount of time to allow the eMac to fully discharge. If the OP really wants to be on the safe side, a week should be more than enough.
Or they can discharge the CRT if there's a need to work on it urgently. This blog contains clear instructions on how to proceed with an eMac.
You have the oldest generation of eMac. I got rid of the one like that years ago, but still have 2 USB-2 eMacs. Still in common use. (They both get a little "grumpy" when I wake them up after several days (sometimes months) of sleep.
The failures that I have had over the years were mostly the well-known swelling/leaking capacitors. Be sure to open your eMac, to give you access (and a close look) at the Down Converter board. That's where the issues happen the most. If you see any problems with the capactors, pretty simple to fix, by replacing the capacitors. It's been a while since I last did that (maybe 15 years) and no longer have the parts for the oldest eMacs (such as yours) But, more common, at least for me, is broken power buttons (just stop clicking when pressed). A quick ohmmeter check will help you decide if the button has died. I used to have a couple of spares, but, again, I don't have anything now for the oldest eMacs (the two I have are the newer generation, and don't share any parts with your model eMac.)--. I did find the original part number for your power button, if you need it... Apple part number 922-5075. Might help, might not. Worth the try, I think.
The failures that I have had over the years were mostly the well-known swelling/leaking capacitors. Be sure to open your eMac, to give you access (and a close look) at the Down Converter board. That's where the issues happen the most. If you see any problems with the capactors, pretty simple to fix, by replacing the capacitors. It's been a while since I last did that (maybe 15 years) and no longer have the parts for the oldest eMacs (such as yours) But, more common, at least for me, is broken power buttons (just stop clicking when pressed). A quick ohmmeter check will help you decide if the button has died. I used to have a couple of spares, but, again, I don't have anything now for the oldest eMacs (the two I have are the newer generation, and don't share any parts with your model eMac.)--. I did find the original part number for your power button, if you need it... Apple part number 922-5075. Might help, might not. Worth the try, I think.
Thank you for that and yes I'm aware it's dangerous but I'm thinking about is just taking the hard drive out and putting it into a new emac I've been able to find that is a new old emac I don't even know if it's possible but I figure it's worth a try thanks again for taking time out for your comment
First of all thank you for responding. Actually I was thinking about taking the out the old hard drive out and trying to boot it as an extermal drive from another similiar mac? Suggestions?
The iMac G5 is affected by similar issues.
In case I ever need to tackle this fault, would it require through-hole desoldering or SMT work?
It's probably the capacitors and I don't want to go to the trouble to get into that I'm not that good. Can I take the hard drive out of this dead emac and put it in another emac is that even possible?
Yes, but it's far from trivial and as mentioned previously in this thread, you run the risk of electrocution if you're not careful.
I totally get it I understand what you mean and you're very wise to point that out and your thoughtful so much appreciated you're right it's risking even after weeks it's still electrified or whatever the term it is in there and I know that so I appreciate your comments again, I will go ahead and get one knowing that that's the case now I may have a professional take it apart and put it in I darn sure don't want to get electrocuted
Again, if it's left to to sit discharged for long enough, there won't be any danger of injury etc. I've worked on my iMac G3 and Mac SE and lived to tell the tale.
You just need to be safety conscious.Disassembling an eMac is an involved process. If you're going to do that in order to remove the hard drive, it's worth also seeing if someone can assess the logic board. These machines are into double figures now and there's the risk that a replacement eMac might end up succumbing to capacitor issues as well.
If you're a vintage tech hobbyist then learning the skills how to maintain them is a necessity IMHO.
(Edited for clarity.)
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