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G4 constant crashes...Hardware issue?
- Thread starter rt30000
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Turn off the screen saver and run it that way for a while. Some machines take a few moments to wake up when they go to sleep so no need to get anxious.rt30000 said:
Removing the SCSI card is a good idea, BTW.
Try adding another stick of RAM into it. Make sure the specs match.
If you tap the space bar or click on the mouse, does the monitor light go green?
rt30000 said:
Watch the clock on the menu bar. You could also start up something like the Activity Monitor application, and then unplug the mouse.
I had the USB devices (keyboard + mouse) disconnected, so how will I know when it locks up?yenko said:Turn off the screen saver and run it that way for a while. Some machines take a few moments to wake up when they go to sleep so no need to get anxious.
I only have two brands/#'s that match. That was what I was running earlier. Then, before starting last evening's testing I replcaed it with a single stick of 256MB SD PC133 8ICyenko said:Try adding another stick of RAM into it. Make sure the specs match.
The sticks of RAM I have at my disposal:
256MB SD PC133 (looks like "G.S." brand? also says 32x64 on it)
256MB ADVANTAGE SDRAM PC100-322-620
(2x) SAMSUNG PC100-322-620
There was no Keyboard or mouse connected, to remove the USB devices as the cause for the crashes/freezes.yenko said:
K, hadn't thought of change the clock to display seconds and watching that. I also started activity monitor, then removed usb devices again. Thanks.IJ Reilly said:
BTW, I am home at the moment becuase I SMASHED INTO A DEER this morning. Haven't got a way into work yet for a while. What an interesting morning. I feel bad for the deer
Car is broke now also. Dont worry, I dont need help troubleshooting THAT~!
rt30000 said:K, hadn't thought of change the clock to display seconds and watching that. I also started activity monitor, then removed usb devices again. Thanks.
BTW, I am home at the moment becuase I SMASHED INTO A DEER this morning. Haven't got a way into work yet for a while. What an interesting morning. I feel bad for the deer
First, you extract the antlers from the grill...
There was no grill left after the incident
I am at work now. I left the mac running at home, figuring I can check the clock when I get home to see what TIME it locked up at. That is, IF the monitor hasnt shut off. Its just a junky HP CRT monitor or something. One other thing I thought of - it ha san aftermarket/upgraded ATi card. While I have already removed this during the troubleshooting processes earlier in the year, perhaps I should take it back out and put the stocker back in. (even though I highly doubt thats the problem, as of now its apparent i am clueless)
I am at work now. I left the mac running at home, figuring I can check the clock when I get home to see what TIME it locked up at. That is, IF the monitor hasnt shut off. Its just a junky HP CRT monitor or something. One other thing I thought of - it ha san aftermarket/upgraded ATi card. While I have already removed this during the troubleshooting processes earlier in the year, perhaps I should take it back out and put the stocker back in. (even though I highly doubt thats the problem, as of now its apparent i am clueless)
rt30000 said:
You're making too many changes at once which will make it difficult to narrow down the problem.
My suggestion:
1. Plug in the mouse into the keyboard. Plug the keyboard into the USB jack on the computer.
2. Install one stick of PC100 RAM into the machine.
3. Re-install the Radeon 8500 card.
4. Set sleep to>Never
5. Turn off Screen Saver. Set your screen saver to activate via hot corner only.
6. Restart the computer.
7. If the machine boots OK, activate the screen saver via hot corner. See what happens then.
Keep us informed.
Well, before doing those steps I tried starting it up as is...started up no problem, lists all the RAM and ATI Rage card, etc. After a bit, maybe 5 minutes, it froze up. The light on the mouse turns off, its like they lose power. The power button on teh front of the computer stays on as usual. Monitor is just frozen where it locked up. I'll try that other stuff mentioned above this evening. Thx.
Tried the above steps, no luck. Any more suggestions? It doesnt seem like its the video card or RAM. I have an extra cable to run from the mobo to the hard drive if you think I should slap that in? Its probably a long shot, but I have it sitting here brand new unused.
Just did a Logic Board reset after removing cd-rom and internal zip from the power supply and disconnecting from ide connector on logic board. Still display same symptoms as usual, log file is up-to-date.
Thx guys. Hope you had a great Turkey Day. I hit a deer in one car on wednesday, then hit a CAR on thanksgiving with the wifes brand new subaru. What a great start to the weekend, haha. I should give up on driving.
The latest and greatest updated log:
Just did a Logic Board reset after removing cd-rom and internal zip from the power supply and disconnecting from ide connector on logic board. Still display same symptoms as usual, log file is up-to-date.
Thx guys. Hope you had a great Turkey Day. I hit a deer in one car on wednesday, then hit a CAR on thanksgiving with the wifes brand new subaru. What a great start to the weekend, haha. I should give up on driving.
The latest and greatest updated log:
What are your thoughts on this:
http://www.smalldog.com/newsarchive/techtails_display.php?id=44
Relevant? The power button seems to always turn on and off the computer (when the computer is willing to start). It always lights up (though sometimes upon first pressing it it seems to struggle to light up bright) but always lights up, and the fan, hard drive, and mobo light comes on. Hold it for 5 secs and it shuts down properly as expected.
http://www.smalldog.com/newsarchive/techtails_display.php?id=44
Relevant? The power button seems to always turn on and off the computer (when the computer is willing to start). It always lights up (though sometimes upon first pressing it it seems to struggle to light up bright) but always lights up, and the fan, hard drive, and mobo light comes on. Hold it for 5 secs and it shuts down properly as expected.
Got a multimeter and tested all this stuff: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=95064
Passed everything fine. Tried again while frozen up, values/voltage remains the same. I also got a heat gun, and can tell the temp of anywhere on the computer. I just dont know what I should check, and whats abnormal.
Processor heat sinks ranges from 65deg-90deg, depending on where you check the temp (between fins, etc). RAM is ~77deg give or take.
Also - i noticed the other side of the fan (intake) has some dust covering it. certainly not enough to block much airlfow, but perhaps enough to allow the box to overheat? I doubt it...but Ill take that side off and clean it.
Passed everything fine. Tried again while frozen up, values/voltage remains the same. I also got a heat gun, and can tell the temp of anywhere on the computer. I just dont know what I should check, and whats abnormal.
Processor heat sinks ranges from 65deg-90deg, depending on where you check the temp (between fins, etc). RAM is ~77deg give or take.
Also - i noticed the other side of the fan (intake) has some dust covering it. certainly not enough to block much airlfow, but perhaps enough to allow the box to overheat? I doubt it...but Ill take that side off and clean it.
IJ Reilly said:
Yes, actually everytime someone gives a suggestion I try it WITH, then WITHOUT usb devices (keyboard w/ mouse) attached. I also took the case apart where the intake is and cleaned it of dust. ALSO, I checked and bothe the normal fan AND teh power supply fan are working fine. And the power supply seems to be generating the appropriate voltage. Any other ideas?
I'm fresh out of brilliant ideas. I'm going to stick with my original thought, a bad motherboard. All the evidence points in that direction.
Updated log.
IF it turns out my logic board is bad, aside from a direct replacement any idea of my upgrade options (or where I can find that info?). i don't know what compatibility issues there are, but if I could get a logicboard and processor from a faster/newer G4 (perhaps quicksilver) would it work?
IF it turns out my logic board is bad, aside from a direct replacement any idea of my upgrade options (or where I can find that info?). i don't know what compatibility issues there are, but if I could get a logicboard and processor from a faster/newer G4 (perhaps quicksilver) would it work?
IJ Reilly said:
I've got to agree with this. Definitely hardware realated, whether it's a bad mobo or a bad processor, I'm not sure, but it's definitely beyond forum help at this point. IMO.
yellow said:
Know if there are any ways to determine between a bad processor vs logic board? I dont even know if something like is possible.
Okay, well I appreciate ALL the help you guys have given. At least I know I've done everything I'm capable of doing to this point. As far as buying a replacement mobo...any ideas on where to start? I see them on eBay all the time, but not sure which ones are compatible. Is a single 867mhz or faster better than my dual 450? I would like to make this beast last as long as possible, the faster (within cost-effective reason) the better.
One last thing you could try before you take the logic board plunge:
Try powering up the unit like you normally do and open the case. Trace the lead that comes from the power switch to the logic board and disconnect it from the board.
Let me know what happens.
Try powering up the unit like you normally do and open the case. Trace the lead that comes from the power switch to the logic board and disconnect it from the board.
Let me know what happens.