iMac G5 20" Mid 2005 (I think)

[tigerintank]

UPDATE

I have finally received all of my parts and I have started with the disassembly process. Everything is going fine and I am being very careful. However, I have this SATA power plug (perhaps), which is resisting to come off. I am not using force as I don't want to break it. Does anyone know how to get it unplugged properly without damaging anything please? It has already damaged to of my nails

hi yes that's the power for the sata hdd. Let me see if I can find anything about how to undo it.

I may have a small favour to ask in return
[doublepost=1550330625][/doublepost]Well the service source doc helpfully has this to say -

4. Disconnect the two hard drive cables and the two fan cables. Remove the two fan screws and the two video cable screws.

The SATA data cable I know is easy, as you know. Never removed the power cable though :-(

Not sure if we're allowed to post such files on here? Drop me a pm and we can get it across somehow. its quite big at 28M and doesn't zip much better at 27M

May have to go out soon but will be back in a few hours if I miss your reply
[doublepost=1550332551][/doublepost]If I may ask a favour in case you reassemble soon and it'd be best done with you main logic board disconnected!

If you look at the 2 diagrams below you'll see that the first confirms that the connector you're trying to remove J8303 is the SATA HD power.

The thing that caught my eye on both diagrams, but I couldn't find on mine - is the SATA DEV Connector J8302 - likely because I've not disassembled it like you're doing.

If you were able to identify where J8302 is on the board and let me know where it is and even better if you could post a pic that'd be really appreciated. Note there won't be an actual connector there, as the 'NOSTUFF' note suggests that it'll just be the unpopulated connector. I'm wondering if it might be on the underside as I wasn't able to see it despite looking earlier in the week

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

Another Update

I've taken out the 5 capacitors that needed replacement. The problem is now that some of the capacitors left one of their legs in the hole, which makes it very difficult to make a hole to insert the new ones. Any help or ideas what to do next?

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

The legs are stuck in the logic board. I've tried to solder it out using a needle, but it does not help. I've even tried to cut it down so that I could push it out easier. Nothing i working and now I am stuck. I could drill the holes, but it seems as a risky thing to do and I do not have the drill size either.

 

[CooperBox]

UPDATE

I have finally received all of my parts and I have started with the disassembly process. Everything is going fine and I am being very careful. However, I have this SATA power plug (perhaps), which is resisting to come off. I am not using force as I don't want to break it. Does anyone know how to get it unplugged properly without damaging anything please? It has already damaged to of my nails

I can only assume that you are not following a clear & concise disassembly guide. iFixit provides this info.
Disconnect the SATA power cable by depressing the lock mechanism and pulling the connector straight away from its socket (parallel to the face of the logic board.
[doublepost=1550403769][/doublepost]

The legs are stuck in the logic board. I've tried to solder it out using a needle, but it does not help. I've even tried to cut it down so that I could push it out easier. Nothing i working and now I am stuck. I could drill the holes, but it seems as a risky thing to do and I do not have the drill size either.

In my post #34 one of the links I provided deals with the procedure of cap legs broken off in the logic board.......
Also iFixit have a link on this problem when reworking the G5 logic board.

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

I can only assume that you are not following a clear & concise disassembly guide. iFixit provides this info.
Disconnect the SATA power cable by depressing the lock mechanism and pulling the connector straight away from its socket (parallel to the face of the logic board.
[doublepost=1550403769][/doublepost]
In my post #34 one of the links I provided deals with the procedure of cap legs broken off in the logic board.......
Also iFixit have a link on this problem when reworking the G5 logic board.

Hi Cooperbox! I've used Apple's Technicians Guide for the dissembly and the iFixit guides. I will check out your #34 post and try to find the guide with the broken legs on iFixit Thank you for your help.

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

For those who might be wondering what I am battling with here you have some pictures. Hope someone here can help :-(

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

Now I've tried to remove more solder with a solder wick, solder sucker and flux. The damn legs are like glued to the board! I've even tried to pull them out and to push them out

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

Update

I was able to replace all the damaged capacitors and remove the old pins. I was having problems removing one last leg and I in my frustration damaged the hole One damaged hole with a wide hole and one hole stuck with a pin leg in it. However, there was a spare hole where I just placed the new capacitor in. Boots up, Apple logo, startup sound.... But, the screen still flickers and it freezes during boot up. I checked the motherboard service LEDS and all of them lights up (all 3, not the 4th one).

I am starting to think it is the powersupply or the graphics card. Most likely the PSU and I've read that you can use an ATX PSU on it? Has anyone tried one? Which model works? It works better than ever as in it is so smooth now and so silent... I also took a long time to clean it up properly

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

Well now I'm trying to look into the PSU as I suspect it being defect. I've opened it and apart from being filthy and nasty it does look alright. What are your thoughts on it?

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

I've just cleaned and refurbished the PSU. The iMac loads perfectly in Safe Mode. So the problem is the GPU! I now need to reflow or reball the GPU properly. This is the next step!

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

Well praise the LORD!!! It is working flawlessly!

 

[z970]

Congratulations.

Small question, what kind of ambient lighting are you using?

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

Congratulations.

Small question, what kind of ambient lighting are you using?

Sorry but I do not understand your question? Do you mean in the room or?
[doublepost=1553174043][/doublepost]UPDATE

Just did a fresh install of OSX Leopard and upgraded the machine to 2 GB of RAM. Running flawless! Tiger was faster, but Leopard works better with newer hardware. I shall install a SSD in it as well and do a carbon copy of the HD, which it uses now to the SSD

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

Now I'm browsing the internet with the iMac G5 and it is working perfectly! I'm also updating the OSX with Apple updates from 2011! Monitor Applications are running greatly as well

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

Next up is the other (first iMac G5) iMac G5 that I will try to repair. This one has more or less the same problems, but it seems "worse". However, this model is a newer and a better model. From the experience that I got from the first one I repaired, I hope the second one will be successful as well Fingers crossed! I will post new information, pictures and as such as I progress and start working on it. I do this to learn, but also to teach/show others like me that want to embark on a mission like mine

If you have any questions in regards to my work, please do ask I will do my best to answer all the questions. If I fail to answer you please remind me as I have probably forgot to answer you by mistake

 

[z970]

Sorry but I do not understand your question? Do you mean in the room or?

I thought that soft orange light against the iMac looked really nice, and I just wanted to know what kind of a lamp you use.

I'm sorry, that's probably the last question you were expecting in a computing forum.

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

I thought that soft orange light against the iMac looked really nice, and I just wanted to know what kind of a lamp you use.

I'm sorry, that's probably the last question you were expecting in a computing forum.

No need to apologize I was just a bit unsure what you meant. It is a lamp similar to this one:

https://www.oceanlighting.co.uk/flo...MIkuT3j6GU4QIVCud3Ch2n8gonEAYYASABEgLpYfD_BwE

 

[z970]

No need to apologize I was just a bit unsure what you meant. It is a lamp similar to this one:

https://www.oceanlighting.co.uk/flo...MIkuT3j6GU4QIVCud3Ch2n8gonEAYYASABEgLpYfD_BwE

Very interesting design. I love lights like that, especially with that kind of glow.

Thank you for the referral.

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

Very interesting design. I love lights like that, especially with that kind of glow.

Thank you for the referral.

My pleasure mate Don't worry about it and thank you for your compliment.
[doublepost=1553257823][/doublepost]Starting on the newer iMac

I've dissembled the newer iMac and to my undesirable surprise someone had opened it prior to me. Fixing something someone else messed up is never fun, but fixing things only touched by the factory is always preferable. This is not the worst issue at this stage. I dissembled the whole unit and took off the motherboard. From my inspection it looked like that I had to exchange 9 capacitors, which were located at some troublesome locations. I took the heatsink off and could see huge amount of excessive thermal paste! Like crazy amount! The backplate was more or less covered in thermal paste! This could not be a factory job (I certainly hope not!)! The CPU was covered in paste and even had some burnt spots on it (maybe from the heat of the paste?). First, I tried to remove and clean the CPU with the plastic protectives on (bad idea), then I took it off and cleaned the areas and it looked like there was a missing pin or connect on a pin. It is placed on the CPU top and is very small and had to inspect – even with a microscope. I tried my best to inspect it and I am very unsure. However, it does seem like there is contact and I really hope this will not make problems later on and resulting in the machine not working.


I have enclosed pictures from my progress. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks for listening and your feedback

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

The problem on the CPU is on the write area.... Chip number 2 from the bottom to the left.... Pin number 1 (maybe 2) from the top from the right. I don't know if it has enough contact. Any thoughts?

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

Here you have two pictures from the opposite angle of the small chip on the CPU. Number 2 from the right and the bottom pin all the way to the left. Is there enough contact on the pin?

 

[MacGuyFrom1831]

UPDATE

Now I've removed the 9 capacitors that needed to be removed. I developed a new technique that only took like 5 seconds to remove each capacitor. First it took me ages, but after I discovered and tried a new approach it was like padding an animal at the zoo

Now I have to decide whether I should try to "repair" the bridge now or wait to see how the machine works, when I have resembled it again. I need to decide whether I should reflow/reball the GPU now or wait to see how it goes after the capacitor replacements. What are your thoughts on the matter?
[doublepost=1553427801][/doublepost]Does anyone know if Heatsink Plaster Stars-922 is conductive as in it would bridge it CPU chip leg/pin? As mentioned in my earlier posts? Item linked below:

https://www.banggood.com/STARS-922-...3Ch3MMQJ4EAQYASABEgKjbPD_BwE&cur_warehouse=CN