Very weird L3 Cache issue on Titanium

[Macbookprodude]

Hello everyone,

I usually am one who takes care of my Macs, but this problem is very weird - So, I have a 1Ghz Titanium PowerBook that has L3 cache, or does it ? - here is the issue. When I boot into OS 9, the L3 cache shows up in system profiler. Ran tech tool pro 3.0.6 and it shows the L3 cache as working with no issues.

then I boot into Leopard and the system profiler sometimes shows the L3 there and sometimes not. When I boot back into OS 9, it’s there and working. Just to be sure, I ran AHT 1.2.3 and did extended tests - no issues with logic board at all ! Boot back into Leopard and it’s not displaying L3 cache. So, has anyone had this happen before to their G4 Titanium ? I do remember using something called XLR MACH by Daystar - could this have to do with it not displaying ? I hate to have to buy another Titanium, as this one is working great.

can someone explain to me why it’s not showing up in Leopard sometimes, and all the time under OS 9 w/ no issues under AHT ? I also reinstalled Leopard and it’s still happening ? So, is the L3 bad or just that Leopard hates it ?

thanks

 

[AphoticD]

Hello everyone,

I usually am one who takes care of my Macs, but this problem is very weird - So, I have a 1Ghz Titanium PowerBook that has L3 cache, or does it ? - here is the issue. When I boot into OS 9, the L3 cache shows up in system profiler. Ran tech tool pro 3.0.6 and it shows the L3 cache as working with no issues.

then I boot into Leopard and the system profiler sometimes shows the L3 there and sometimes not. When I boot back into OS 9, it’s there and working. Just to be sure, I ran AHT 1.2.3 and did extended tests - no issues with logic board at all ! Boot back into Leopard and it’s not displaying L3 cache. So, has anyone had this happen before to their G4 Titanium ? I do remember using something called XLR MACH by Daystar - could this have to do with it not displaying ? I hate to have to buy another Titanium, as this one is working great.

can someone explain to me why it’s not showing up in Leopard sometimes, and all the time under OS 9 w/ no issues under AHT ? I also reinstalled Leopard and it’s still happening ? So, is the L3 bad or just that Leopard hates it ?

thanks

Do the energy saver settings affect cache availability? Is there a Highest/Reduced performance option on your machine? I know some systems also ignore the cache if there is no battery present or the power supply is underpowered (i.e 45 watt power supply on a 65 watt system)

 

[AphoticD]

Also, if you install the Hardware/CPU prefpane from the CHUD Tools (via Xcode/Dev Tools), does it show the L3 cache as an option?

 

[LightBulbFun]

a couple things, one you need a working battery (at least one that the system recognises and will take a charge even if it only lasts for a minute on its own)

for the L3 cache to be enabled and the CPU to run at full speed, (and you also need a 65W charger as well)

but regardless of the battery/charger situation, you should see the L3 cache always in Leopard system profiler (tho as above it wont always be active)

when you see it does NOT show up go to the diagnostic tab in system profiler and see if it says anything

 

[Macbookprodude]

It did show the L3 before when I installed the preference pane. Energy saver setting is set to highest.

 

[Macbookprodude]

a couple things, one you need a working battery (at least one that the system recognises and will take a charge even if it only lasts for a minute on its own)

for the L3 cache to be enabled and the CPU to run at full speed, (and you also need a 65W charger as well)

but regardless of the battery/charger situation, you should see the L3 cache always in Leopard system profiler (tho as above it wont always be active)

when you see it does NOT show up go to the diagnostic tab in system profiler and see if it says anything

The charger is the original 65watt charger - the battery is semi new which I get 100% charge. That is the problem, I am not seeing it under Leopard system profiler. Also strangely enough the mic isn’t working which it was working before. Sound also is an issue. When I go into diagnostic tab oddly, it says - passed.

 

[Macbookprodude]

I have another question - if it does turn out the PowerBook is bad, is the screen easy to replace on the titanium ? I never had issues replacing the aluminum pB G4 screen, but it seems the titanium is harder to do.

 

[netsrot39]

I have another question - if it does turn out the PowerBook is bad, is the screen easy to replace on the titanium ? I never had issues replacing the aluminum pB G4 screen, but it seems the titanium is harder to do.

Do you mean the screen assembly or the screen itself? If it is the latter then yes this is not easy. Replacing the screen assembly isn't too difficult albeit time consuming.

 

[Macbookprodude]

Do you mean the screen assembly or the screen itself? If it is the latter then yes this is not easy. Replacing the screen assembly isn't too difficult albeit time consuming.

The screen is fine.. I mean just to remove the whole assembly and transfer to another PBG4

 

[AphoticD]

The screen is fine.. I mean just to remove the whole assembly and transfer to another PBG4

The logic board and heatsink will need to come out in order to release the hinges and remove the display assembly. You’ll want to renew thermal paste and pads on reassembly. Arctic MX-4 + 1mm thick pads on the memory controller and GPU IC + 2mm pad on the VRAM chips.

Replacing the LCD panel inside the display assembly is another story. I recently posted this lengthy process in my Titanium Repair thread. It’s not something I look forward to repeating, but I have another two to go

 

[Macbookprodude]

The logic board and heatsink will need to come out in order to release the hinges and remove the display assembly. You’ll want to renew thermal paste and pads on reassembly. Arctic MX-4 + 1mm thick pads on the memory controller and GPU IC + 2mm pad on the VRAM chips.

Replacing the LCD panel inside the display assembly is another story. I recently posted this lengthy process in my Titanium Repair thread. It’s not something I look forward to repeating, but I have another two to go

Thanks, I will just use it till the wheels come off, given it’s 18-20 years old.