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G5 Ozone smell...

junker

junker

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 3, 2006
310
11
An obtuse corner of the Triangle
I have a Dual processor G5 2.3 GHz, with 2.5 Gigs of Ram.

I've had this about a month now and I noticed a vague Ozone smell in my room where the computer is. I know that these G5's are somehow liquid cooled, so I wonder if there's a potiential issue under the hood.
1. Is it ozone?
2. Should I be concerned?
3. If not ozone then what?


Otherwise, I'm happy with it. I'm concered with my health and the computers.
Thanks
 
When you say "Dual Processor", I'm assuming you mean the older one that actually has two chips, as opposed to the newer one with one dual core chip?

Regardless, it doesn't matter. So far as I know, neither of those models even uses liquid cooling--only the older 2.5/2.7 dual models, and the new quad do. So whatever you're smelling, it ain't the cooling system.

Second, the only way ozone would be produced by a *problem* with the computer would be some sort of electrical short that was ionizing air. If your computer were even capable of running in that situation, you would almost certainly hear it in addition to smelling it. More likely it'd just burn out whatever was shorting and wouldn't start up.

Third, it's a LOT more likely that you're just smelling the electronic components outgassing. Newly manufactured just-about-anything outgasses a coctail of volatile organics and lord knows what else (which could smell like ozone, or I suppose even include ozone) for a while. It's probably not healthy, but it's a fact of life.

The likeliest thing is that the room isn't getting particularly good air circulation, so after sitting there for a while the outgassed chemicals build up to a level you can smell. If this is the case, it will eventually go away, and airing out the room will help (which may or may not be an easy thing to do, depending on the temperature outside where you are).

This isn't to say there isn't some freak chance that there isn't something wrong with your G5 producing funny smells, but it is DRASTICALLY more likely that it's just standard new-machine outgassing and will go away after a while. If there's nothing obviously wrong with the machine and the smell doesn't suddenly start getting much worse, I'd ignore it or open a window.
 
Hector said:
all 2.3GHz G5's are single dual cores.
Click to expand...

not so. There have been 2 2.3 Ghz G5s. The first was a dual processor, released April 2005 along with a single 1.8, a dual 2.0, and a dual 2.7. The second is the dual core version currently available, released Oct. 2005 along with a dual core 2.0 and a quad core 2.5.
 
Thanks for the ideas about the offgasing. I guess that could be it. I bought it used from someone about a month ago. They bought it new in December '05. I would think that this would've finished off gasing awhile back.

As for the circulation it's good in the room and around the unit itself...and temp :
CPU A Die Temp: 128.6 F
CPU B Die Temp: 123.5 F
Processor Card A Ambient: 78.8 F
Processor Card B Ambient: 79.7 F
Main Logic board Backside 114.1 F

I only assume that it's Ozone. It could be something else. It doesn't smell like burning... just a weird smell...ozone smell is maybe the closest I could compare with.

My girlfriend can't smell any difference.

I became a little comcerned after reading somewhere about leaking and oozing resistor's / capacitor's on some G5's. Very rare appaarently, but nonetheless, a bit worriesome.
I haven't seen anything amiss or suspicious when I pulled off the side cover, but I also haven't attempted to pull off the cooling unit to look around the processor.

I haven't had any problems with the preformance or OS itself, so maybe I'm just being overprotective. But ya know, I earned every dang penny of the machine - god knows I don't want deal with a sizzle!

And, yes I have 3 yr apple care...

It's 105F (w/heat index) in VA - so, no - I ain't openin a window! :)
 
Oh, it's used.

I would say 99% chance that it's just another person's smell.

I usually do computer repairing (mostly PC, though). Every computer has it's own smell from it's owner. Because of the great airflow, it can take some time to dissipate.

Proper room ventilation is a must. Open the window from time to time (even if the temperature is too cold/hot) every day.

I personnaly don't know how Ozone smells. Dealing with a lot of new components, I do know how outgasing smells. But I do know that some older PCs can have weird smells.

But like I said, if you can smell your computer, you probably need better room ventilation. It will also help your computer, as the G5s are pretty hot!
 
junker said:
Thanks for the ideas about the offgasing. I guess that could be it. I bought it used from someone about a month ago. They bought it new in December '05. I would think that this would've finished off gasing awhile back.

As for the circulation it's good in the room and around the unit itself...and temp :
CPU A Die Temp: 128.6 F
CPU B Die Temp: 123.5 F
Processor Card A Ambient: 78.8 F
Processor Card B Ambient: 79.7 F
Main Logic board Backside 114.1 F

I only assume that it's Ozone. It could be something else. It doesn't smell like burning... just a weird smell...ozone smell is maybe the closest I could compare with.

My girlfriend can't smell any difference.

I became a little comcerned after reading somewhere about leaking and oozing resistor's / capacitor's on some G5's. Very rare appaarently, but nonetheless, a bit worriesome.
I haven't seen anything amiss or suspicious when I pulled off the side cover, but I also haven't attempted to pull off the cooling unit to look around the processor.

I haven't had any problems with the preformance or OS itself, so maybe I'm just being overprotective. But ya know, I earned every dang penny of the machine - god knows I don't want deal with a sizzle!

And, yes I have 3 yr apple care...

It's 105F (w/heat index) in VA - so, no - I ain't openin a window! :)
Click to expand...

You could always do a visual inspection of the motherboard...you'll quickly see if there are any blown capacitors.
 
Highly doubt it is ozone. For a start it is highly illegal for products to contain ozone, well EU anyway. So I doubt Apple use it.
 
Like... well, ozone. Photocopiers and laser printers produce a little bit of ozone when they're printing, and they say you can smell it after a good thunderstorm (if you're in an area prone to those).

I can guarantee your iBook keyboard doesn't smell like ozone--more likely it's particles of food or dead skin or grease or whatever that have fallen between the keys and are stewing in the heat down there. Try taking a keyboard apart sometime and you'd be disturbed by how much crap collects down there--it's a miracle they don't smell worse.
 
ok, maybe it's not an ozone smell, per se... the smell reminds me of those air purifier's wherein the smell is similiar to "after a thunderstorm". I've been told that's an ozone smell. (PLEAAASE don't freak out and begin correcting me here about air purifier's with fifty more comments. I know how we can all be with tangents) :)

I hope the G5 is cleaning my air (pffft!) but I am a little concerned still. I looked at the mobo, and it appears well enough... so I don't know. I guess I'll just wait until there's a real reason to be concerned...just trying to be a bit more proactive these days.

Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas. I'll keep looking around different forums and let you guys know if I turn anything up.
 
Makosuke said:
Third, it's a LOT more likely that you're just smelling the electronic components outgassing. Newly manufactured just-about-anything outgasses a coctail of volatile organics and lord knows what else (which could smell like ozone, or I suppose even include ozone) for a while. It's probably not healthy, but it's a fact of life.
Click to expand...
So thats why Macs smell so good.

I guess its like new car smell or gasoline. It devours your lungs, but you can't help it.
 
moot said:
What does ozone actually smell like anyway?:confused:

My iBook smells - apparently its the keyboard. The genius said keyboards start to smell with overuse.:eek:
Click to expand...


FISH! Seriously!
 
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