We came back from a month's travel to find one of our older Macs is caput. It's a G4 tower, and was shut off and unplugged before we left, so no chance of surges, etc.
Now when I press the start button, the button lights up but goes immediately dark when I take my finger off. No sounds of attempted startup from the tower.
Problem is, there's no Mac store or repair shop in Alaska anymore.
Anyone have insights or clues as to what's going on?
Any guesses on user-fixes?
Any recommendations on Mac guru shops I can send this too, if necessary?
Everything was backed up, so that's not a big issue. However, it was our principal machine for internet access and has massive favorites folders (Firefox). Never thought to back those up (and don't know how it would be done), but I already miss them.
What you describe is a symptom of a dead logic board battery. A G4 is old enough to have a dead battery.
http://www.academ.com/info/macintosh/
Duane
Posted by Jim DeWitt on January 2, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Hank -
MacHaus is a Mac shop and has stores in Wasilla and Fairbanks - admittedly a long ways from Kodiak - and they have both done good work for me. The owner, Ben Schaafsma is a good guy, too.
The Apple support pages can be helpful, too. If you don't have AppleCare (and therefore don't care about violating your warranty), take a look at <url=http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=95054>this</url> tech note.
Beautiful! That's the kind of thing I was hoping for. I'll check into it. Thanks!
I forgot to add that the thing has an aftermarket SCSI board for running a couple of older scanners. I can't see how SCSI problems would affect startup so dramatically. In fact those are really the only reason it is still around. We simply didn't want to buy new scanners. I'll check on the battery before addressing any potential SCSI issues.
Posted by David Bostedo on January 2, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Hank - I've never done anything with a Mac, but it sounds to me like it's a power supply problem. (EDIT - now that I look again, since the button lights up, this might not be the case. But anyway...) That would explain it not even trying to boot up, without any sounds. Even if the motherboard was burned out, I'd think the power supply fan(s) would kick on. As far as user fixes, other than a general check for loose connections (especially between the power supply and motherboard), there might not be much you can do other than try to swap the power supply out of another G4 (if you have one). The main thing to note if you're going to try a different (or buy a new) supply is to get one rated for at least the same wattage, and connectors. (I assume another G4 would have an equivalent supply.)
And as far as saving favorites, I'm not sure why you couldn't back them up. Is it just a matter of finding them on the drive?
as for your bookmarks, they should be in the user's home directory. I'm on Mac OS X 10.4.11 and the bookmarks can be found in /Users/username/Library/Safari/Boomarks.plist (where username is your username). You should be able to restore the file from your backup, assuming you were also doing a backup of /Users. Apple article relating to this: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301239
If the SCSI card only runs the scanner, it won't hurt to remove the card to see if that makes a difference.
Cheers and sympathy,
Andre
Posted by Pat Warfield on January 2, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Have you reset the PRAM I would imagine that all Mac users know how to do this. But if not, hold down these 4 keys: Command ( the button with the apple on it) Option, R & P while pushing the on button. Hold until computer chimes then chimes again. This could solve a problem & doesn't damage anything. If it starts insert a OS Install disk & restart from CD, run Disk Utility. If not:
Maybe best to check out: http://www.macrumors.com/ Need to register & join this group which has a forum hosted & monitored by some Mac Experts. You can then post a question or describe a problem They helped me a few years ago when my G4 seemed doomed & would not start. This was my method of restoration.
Sometimes there are problems in Open Firmware which you can access the following way. Open firmware window looks much like a PC window before opening Windows. (It is very important to take care to enter the exact keystroke combinations.)
Command - Option - O - F ( it's a letter O not a number 0) If it chimes hold them all down immediately until a basic root source window opens. May have to try a few times. If the basic (open firmware) window opens cursor will flash in a blank space. you must type in the following code exactly:
Reset-nvram ( hit return that will bring another flashing cursor Then Type:
Set-defaults ( hit return again which will go to another cursor. Type in:
Reset-all (hit return, it should try to restart & boot from usual start up disk.)
If it will not start so you can access Open Firmware - you may have to open a CD drawer manually by inserting a straighted section of an unfolded paperclip (a large one) in the eject hole on the front of the drive until it releases enough to pull drawer out by hand - or you may use an external CD drive attached to the computer that you can open with a power button. Insert a system install disk in a CD drive which can access Apple's Disk Utility or a TechTool Pro Utility disk or Norton or Disk Warrior - If you can get a start up disk installed in a drive hold down 'C' while pushing to start. It can take a while for the CPU to find a start up volume. Or, if you have more than one hard drive with an operating system, hold down Option while pushing start button. This should also show any startup volumes available whether a drive or CD. If you can get it to start then run a utility on your startup volume - I like to use Disk Utility & select repair permissions & then repair disk.
If it will chime - go to the Open Firmware procedure above.
These G4s are pretty tough really, there is probably something really minor behind the problem.
Pat Warfield
Posted by Pat Warfield on January 2, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Let me clarify the open firmware code once the page is open. Don't type in (Return)
Reset-nvram (Return)
Set-defaults (return)
Reset-all (return)
Hope this helps.
Pat Warfield
Posted by Pat Warfield on January 2, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Let me clarify the open firmware code once the page is open. Don't type in (Return)
Reset-nvram (Return)
Set-defaults (return)
Reset-all (return)
Thanks for all the feedback folks! Problem with bumping the pram or checking firmware is the thing won't go on.
I drove to town (1 hr each way) and picked up the battery just now. I'll report back if it works. Following that, I'm certainly going to follow up on the other reco's here.
I restarted it, and this time the computer found the monitor.
All is well.
Thanks again, folks!
Posted by Carl Donohue on January 3, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Hey Hank
Is the Mac store in Anchorage on Old Seward closed?
By the way, check in to make sure there's no extended warranty or anything on the logic board. I just got a new power supply and logic board on my iMac (G5) for free, because they have some deal where they had issues with them - not a recall, but they will replace them. It's worth a try.
Evidently the one on Old Seward is gone, or at least no longer an "official" Mac store. They're not listed on the Mac site anyway. I know lots of folks had started dealing with CompUSA on Diamond for their Mac stuff, but that's gone (or going) too.
We generally buy the extended service package with any computer, but this G4 is sooooooo old that there's no chance it's still good. Thanks to a $6 battery and the help from the good folks here at NPN, I thankfully didn't need to test service arrangements further.
I just goodled Alaska Mac Store and got a hit. Same address on Old Seward. Interesting, cuzz they sure aren't listed on the official Mac site, nor is any other in Alaska. I slipped it into my favorites just in case.
Posted by Carl Donohue on January 3, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Hey Hank,
Yeah, the store is not an official Apple store, but I believe they're apple trained technicians. Reasonable folks, in my experience.
Oh, I wasn't referring to the extended service package .. it was more like an after-sale thing .. they realised they had sold a bunch of computers that apparently had some kind of fault, and instead of offering a recall, they offer a replacement program .. it's worth emailing or calling the store and seeing if there's anything like that with your mac. I took my computer in thinking I'd be out several hundred dollars or more, and it didn't cost me anything .. and it's well past any warranty.
I dealt with them a long time ago, but got into a fracas when I tried to "buy local" and order a couple of CPU's and monitors through them. Seven weeks later I was finaly able to confirm that they never got around to placing the orders with Apple, meanwhile I had to fight them tooth and nail to get them to credit my card rather than go ahead and (finally) order my gear. I understand the individual at the core of the ballyhoo is no longer with the store, so maybe it's time to start thinking local again.
Discussion
16 repliesNow when I press the start button, the button lights up but goes immediately dark when I take my finger off. No sounds of attempted startup from the tower.
Problem is, there's no Mac store or repair shop in Alaska anymore.
Anyone have insights or clues as to what's going on?
Any guesses on user-fixes?
Any recommendations on Mac guru shops I can send this too, if necessary?
Everything was backed up, so that's not a big issue. However, it was our principal machine for internet access and has massive favorites folders (Firefox). Never thought to back those up (and don't know how it would be done), but I already miss them.
All help, inspiration and sympathy is welcome!
What you describe is a symptom of a dead logic board battery. A G4 is old enough to have a dead battery.
http://www.academ.com/info/macintosh/
Duane
MacHaus is a Mac shop and has stores in Wasilla and Fairbanks - admittedly a long ways from Kodiak - and they have both done good work for me. The owner, Ben Schaafsma is a good guy, too.
The Apple support pages can be helpful, too. If you don't have AppleCare (and therefore don't care about violating your warranty), take a look at <url=http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=95054>this</url> tech note.
I forgot to add that the thing has an aftermarket SCSI board for running a couple of older scanners. I can't see how SCSI problems would affect startup so dramatically. In fact those are really the only reason it is still around. We simply didn't want to buy new scanners. I'll check on the battery before addressing any potential SCSI issues.
And as far as saving favorites, I'm not sure why you couldn't back them up. Is it just a matter of finding them on the drive?
With plenty of sympathy...
Dave
as for your bookmarks, they should be in the user's home directory. I'm on Mac OS X 10.4.11 and the bookmarks can be found in /Users/username/Library/Safari/Boomarks.plist (where username is your username). You should be able to restore the file from your backup, assuming you were also doing a backup of /Users. Apple article relating to this:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301239
If the SCSI card only runs the scanner, it won't hurt to remove the card to see if that makes a difference.
Cheers and sympathy,
Andre
Maybe best to check out: http://www.macrumors.com/ Need to register & join this group which has a forum hosted & monitored by some Mac Experts. You can then post a question or describe a problem They helped me a few years ago when my G4 seemed doomed & would not start. This was my method of restoration.
Sometimes there are problems in Open Firmware which you can access the following way. Open firmware window looks much like a PC window before opening Windows. (It is very important to take care to enter the exact keystroke combinations.)
Command - Option - O - F ( it's a letter O not a number 0) If it chimes hold them all down immediately until a basic root source window opens. May have to try a few times. If the basic (open firmware) window opens cursor will flash in a blank space. you must type in the following code exactly:
Reset-nvram ( hit return that will bring another flashing cursor Then Type:
Set-defaults ( hit return again which will go to another cursor. Type in:
Reset-all (hit return, it should try to restart & boot from usual start up disk.)
If it will not start so you can access Open Firmware - you may have to open a CD drawer manually by inserting a straighted section of an unfolded paperclip (a large one) in the eject hole on the front of the drive until it releases enough to pull drawer out by hand - or you may use an external CD drive attached to the computer that you can open with a power button. Insert a system install disk in a CD drive which can access Apple's Disk Utility or a TechTool Pro Utility disk or Norton or Disk Warrior - If you can get a start up disk installed in a drive hold down 'C' while pushing to start. It can take a while for the CPU to find a start up volume. Or, if you have more than one hard drive with an operating system, hold down Option while pushing start button. This should also show any startup volumes available whether a drive or CD. If you can get it to start then run a utility on your startup volume - I like to use Disk Utility & select repair permissions & then repair disk.
If it will chime - go to the Open Firmware procedure above.
These G4s are pretty tough really, there is probably something really minor behind the problem.
Pat Warfield
Reset-nvram (Return)
Set-defaults (return)
Reset-all (return)
Hope this helps.
Pat Warfield
Reset-nvram (Return)
Set-defaults (return)
Reset-all (return)
Hope this helps.
Pat Warfield
I drove to town (1 hr each way) and picked up the battery just now. I'll report back if it works. Following that, I'm certainly going to follow up on the other reco's here.
Thanks once again!
But now it's not communicating with its LaCie monitor. One thing and then another.
Research under way.
I restarted it, and this time the computer found the monitor.
All is well.
Thanks again, folks!
Is the Mac store in Anchorage on Old Seward closed?
By the way, check in to make sure there's no extended warranty or anything on the logic board. I just got a new power supply and logic board on my iMac (G5) for free, because they have some deal where they had issues with them - not a recall, but they will replace them. It's worth a try.
Cheers
Carl
Cheers
Carl
We generally buy the extended service package with any computer, but this G4 is sooooooo old that there's no chance it's still good. Thanks to a $6 battery and the help from the good folks here at NPN, I thankfully didn't need to test service arrangements further.
Thanks for the head's up though!
I just goodled Alaska Mac Store and got a hit. Same address on Old Seward. Interesting, cuzz they sure aren't listed on the official Mac site, nor is any other in Alaska. I slipped it into my favorites just in case.
Yeah, the store is not an official Apple store, but I believe they're apple trained technicians. Reasonable folks, in my experience.
Oh, I wasn't referring to the extended service package .. it was more like an after-sale thing .. they realised they had sold a bunch of computers that apparently had some kind of fault, and instead of offering a recall, they offer a replacement program .. it's worth emailing or calling the store and seeing if there's anything like that with your mac. I took my computer in thinking I'd be out several hundred dollars or more, and it didn't cost me anything .. and it's well past any warranty.
Glad the battery seems to have fixed it for you.
Cheers
Carl