Got a free (broken) iMac G3

[garirry]

Hi,

Today, I just got a free iMac G3. However, it is broken, it doesn't power on at all.
This is an orange slot-loading G3, specs unknown.
What I noticed, is that when I push the power button, the display makes a short buzzing sound, similar to when you touch an old CRT TV, just very short. No fans spinning, no hard disk sound, nothing.

I really want to repair this mac, since this is why I accepted to get it free. My guess is that it's either the PRAM battery, SMC/PMU (or whatever it's called) or less likely the power supply (because the computer stopped working over time, not while using it).

Thanks for all advice.

 

[Southern Dad]

They make great fish tanks

 

[garirry]

They make great fish tanks
Image

Umm... thanks, but I want to repair it, not transform it into a fishtank...

 

[76ShovelHead]

Umm... thanks, but I want to repair it, not transform it into a fishtank...

You will find very quickly the limitations of this older machine. Unless you were going to retrofit an LCD screen and a Mac Mini, then a Macquarium is your best option..

A G3 processor will barely load google now-a-days.

 

[garirry]

You will find very quickly the limitations of this older machine. Unless you were going to retrofit an LCD screen and a Mac Mini, then a Macquarium is your best option..

A G3 processor will barely load google now-a-days.

I perfectly understand that G3s are super-duper slow, but I want to repair it so it can be working again. An old computer will work fine with old OS and old software (excluding the use of the Internet). I'm a collector; what a collector does? Collect stuff! I got this iMac and I will keep it until I die or my house burns.

I just want to know what is the problem and how do I get it fixed.

Mods are nice, I just don't want them, plus I don't have that much money to buy all this or that much space at home to store everything...

 

[tom vilsack]

Here is video how to replace your pram battery...I'm guessing this is possibly your issue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szmBoIp-NoU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ2iN2kCfZ8

 

[havokalien]

Rebuild

Power supply caps, motherboard caps. Known to go bad with age and/or use replace and should be good to go. Ifixit has great take apart guides.

 

[Xandros]

I take it you've tried resetting the PMU?

 

[garirry]

I take it you've tried resetting the PMU with the reset button on the side of the iMac?

Yes, it still makes a short buzzing sound when pushing the power button.

 

[garirry]

This PRAM battery? http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-Tekcell-...ngle_Use_Batteries&hash=item2a3097f9a5&_uhb=1

 

[Xandros]

3.6v half AA Lithium.

 

[tampasteve]

Go ahead and open it up, there are plenty of guides online, try ifixit for the best ones with pictures.

Once you have it open replacing the battery and inspecting most of the caps is much easier. Opening should only require a regular philips screwdriver, iirc.

You can get the batteries at battery stores, Amazon, etc. in my experience general stores like Target and Walmart do not have them, at least down here. Amazon seems to have the least expensive ones.

 

[garirry]

Go ahead and open it up, there are plenty of guides online, try ifixit for the best ones with pictures.

Once you have it open replacing the battery and inspecting most of the caps is much easier. Opening should only require a regular philips screwdriver, iirc.

You can get the batteries at battery stores, Amazon, etc. in my experience general stores like Target and Walmart do not have them, at least down here. Amazon seems to have the least expensive ones.

The cheapest are ebay (plus free shipping). Since I'm in Canada, Amazon is 3x more expensive than the US Amazon. I'll order the battery, and I'll try to repair it.

Also, this computer has a bunch of stickers on it. How do I remove them?

 

[tampasteve]

Also, this computer has a bunch of stickers on it. How do I remove them?

Goo Off, WD40, basically any degreaser. Just rub gently in a circular motion on the sticker residue.

 

[zackkmac]

Mine had the exact same issue when I exchanged the 400MHz logic board for a 700MHz. Turns out the power supply part of the board (on the side; detaches) was dead. I re-used the power supply card off my 400MHz board and powered on just fine.

So that's my guess.

 

[Intell]

Mine had the exact same issue when I exchanged the 400MHz logic board for a 700MHz. Turns out the power supply part of the board (on the side; detaches) was dead. I re-used the power supply card off my 400MHz board and powered on just fine.

So that's my guess.

The name of that extra little power board is the PAV board. The OP's symptoms seem to indicate that is the faulty part. I believe they are swappable between all slot loading G3 iMacs.