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How much info a serial number holds…

E

elmimmo

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 18, 2002
265
0
Spain
Does anyone know a source where I can check what Apple would assume my computer was like from its serial number?

Believe it or not, my company has a single processor 2 GHz Power Mac G5 (not an XServe) and I do not have a clue how it ended up having only one or if they did expect a dual from the beginning. Before taking my boss down to Earth I would like to know if this computer, according to its serial number, is indeed supposed to only have one 2GHz processor, or if somehow one processor was "borrowed" by someone at some point.
 
I'm not positive, but I believe that the serial number is just tied to a particular computer in a database somewhere. I don't think that the serial number itself tells you (or anyone) much about the configuration of the machine. That's what the model number is for.

Like I say, I am not sure, but that's how I think it happens.
 
OK, then, I will change the question. Was there, at some point, any 1st gen Power Mac G5 with a single 2GHz available to purchase somewhere that I did not know of?
 
Serial numbers of the same series of logic boards all have similar digits. If you give Apple a call, they have a database of serial numbers. They keep quite a lot of info about you. If they have a name and maybe an address, they can find all computer purchases under that name.

Edit: AFAIK Apple never offered a single proc 2 Ghz G5 tower.
 
elmimmo said:
OK, then, I will change the question. Was there, at some point, any 1st gen Power Mac G5 with a single 2GHz available to purchase somewhere that I did not know of?
Click to expand...

The single CPUs were the 1.6 and 1.8 - I don't ever remember a 2.0 single machine.

You might want to contact Apple and see what they have to say, maybe there might have been some special machines or ones that didn't ship with duals for some strange reason of manufacturing/assembling glitch.

D
 
This is the beast in question:

Code: 
Hardware:

    Hardware Overview:
    
      Machine Model: Power Mac G5
      CPU Type: PowerPC 970  (2.2)
      Number Of CPUs: 1
      CPU Speed: 2 GHz
      L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
      Memory: 2.5 GB
      Bus Speed: 1 GHz
      Boot ROM Version: 5.1.5f2
      Serial Number: ###########
    
Software:

    System Software Overview:
    
      System Version: Mac OS X 10.3.5 (7M34)
      Kernel Version: Darwin 7.5.0
      Boot Volume: Macintosh HD
      Computer Name: #####
      User Name: ##### (#####)

Network:

    Módem interno:
    
      Interface: modem
      Type: PPP (PPPSerial)
    
    Ethernet incorporada:
    
      Interface: en0
      Type: Ethernet
      IP Address: ("192.168.28.33")
      Subnet Mask: ("255.255.255.0")
      Broadcast Address: ("192.168.28.255")
      Ethernet Address: ##:##:##:##:##:##

Memory:

    DIMM0/J11:
    
      Size: 256 MB
      Type: DDR SDRAM
      Speed: PC3200U-30330
    
    DIMM1/J12:
    
      Size: 256 MB
      Type: DDR SDRAM
      Speed: PC3200U-30330
    
    DIMM2/J13:
    
      Size: 512 MB
      Type: DDR SDRAM
      Speed: PC3200U-30330
    
    DIMM3/J14:
    
      Size: 512 MB
      Type: DDR SDRAM
      Speed: PC3200U-30330
    
    DIMM4/J41:
    
      Size: 512 MB
      Type: DDR SDRAM
      Speed: PC3200U-30330
    
    DIMM5/J42:
    
      Size: 512 MB
      Type: DDR SDRAM
      Speed: PC3200U-30330
    
    DIMM6/J43:
    
      Size: Empty
      Type: Empty
      Speed: Empty
    
    DIMM7/J44:
    
      Size: Empty
      Type: Empty
      Speed: Empty

PCI/AGP Cards:

    ATY,RV350:
    
      Type: display
      Bus: AGP
      Slot: SLOT-1
      VRAM (Total): 64 MB
      Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
      Device ID: 0x4150
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      ROM Revision: 113-A13601-126
    
        Display:
        
          Type: display
          Display Type: CRT
          VRAM (In Use): 64 MB
          Resolution: 1600 x 1200 @ 85 Hz
          Depth: 32-bit Color
          Main Display: Yes
          Mirror: Off
          Online: Yes
        
        ATY,Simone_B:
        
          Status: No display connected

ATA:

    ATA-6 Bus:
    
      Vendor ID: 0x106b
      Device ID: 0x0043
      Revision ID: 0x0000
    
        PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-106D:
        
          Manufacturer: PIONEER
          Model: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-106D
          Revision: A606
          Serial Number: CKDC209949WL
          Drive Type: CD-RW/DVD-RW
          Disc Burning: Apple Supported/Shipped
          Removable Media: Yes
          Detachable Drive: No
          Protocol: ATAPI
          Unit Number: 0
          Socket Type: Internal
        
    k2-sata-root:
    
        ATA Bus:
        
          Name: k2-sata
        
            ST3160023AS:
            
              Capacity: 149.05 GB
              Model: ST3160023AS
              Revision: 3.05
              Serial Number: 3JS2E87E
              Removable Media: No
              Detachable Drive: No
              BSD Name: disk0
              Protocol: ATA
              Unit Number: 0
              Socket Type: Serial ATA
              bay_name: A (upper)
 
Open it up and take a look... it might not be connected to the motherboard properly (or whatever it connects to...)
 
wide said:
Open it up and take a look... it might not be connected to the motherboard properly (or whatever it connects to...)
Click to expand...
That would be funny if that were the issue. :D
 
I know on my old g4 tower when I installed the developer tools there was a preference pane added to the "other" section in the prefs that dealt with the processors. It let you turn off a processor or cache. Not sure what the purpose of this is, but I suppose it could be something to look for with regard to your machine.

(This might not even be from the developers tools, maybe something strange I installed. Anyone have confirmation?)

Matt
 
mkubal said:
I know on my old g4 tower when I installed the developer tools there was a preference pane added to the "other" section in the prefs that dealt with the processors. It let you turn off a processor or cache. Not sure what the purpose of this is, but I suppose it could be something to look for with regard to your machine.

(This might not even be from the developers tools, maybe something strange I installed. Anyone have confirmation?)

Matt
Click to expand...

Yes, that is part of the dev tools. I believe it is part of the CHUD tools.

Also, does it say the configuration of the computer to the right of the serial number [on the computer itself]? I know the latest revision G5s do.
 
mkubal said:
(This might not even be from the developers tools, maybe something strange I installed. Anyone have confirmation?)

Matt
Click to expand...

It was developer tools, I was playing with it last night, even worked on my powerlogix upgrade. however it froze when i tried to re-enable the dual option, haha. I do love the little SpindownHD app on the CHUD tools.

edit: You beat me to it, sorry!
 
Over at Macintouch, I believe (or was it Xlr8yourmac.com?) someone reported getting a free 200 mhz upgrade when they sent in their SP 1.8 G5 for service, and getting a SP 2.0 back, so this isn't all that surprising.

Other than that, I don't know. What matters is - what did you pay for when you ordered that machine? I'd try to find the original invoice.

HTH
Ryan
 
kgarner said:
wide said:
it might not be connected to the motherboard
Click to expand...
That would be funny if that were the issue. :D
Click to expand...
Guess what the problem was.

The lower heatsink is visibly not in line with the upper one, so the problem is indeed that it is not properly connected. I tried to plug it in, but it is not so obvious what it should connect to (it is so huge that it obscures the motherboard). I tried to push it (not really getting to line it up correctly to the plugged processor), but the only result I got is a computer that refuses to boot. So I have pulled it again, closed the tower, verified that it works again, and off it'll go to Apple technical service, since the graphic card also does some weird things after coming off sleep.

In any case, thanks for the input.
 
this thread suddenly changed direction, huh? but i have a "similar" question. is there any way possible to change the serial number? a friend's friend want to buy a powebook from some guy in illinois and the pb is quite cheap.

anyway, id like to know if it is possible to change the serial number. and just auf of curiosity, how?
 
redAPPLE said:
this thread suddenly changed direction, huh? but i have a "similar" question. is there any way possible to change the serial number? a friend's friend want to buy a powebook from some guy in illinois and the pb is quite cheap.

anyway, id like to know if it is possible to change the serial number. and just auf of curiosity, how?
Click to expand...

No, you cannot change the serial number unless you replace the logic board.
 
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