Could it be the processor and not the HD?

MrsSki · #1 June 17th, 2009, 08:42 AM

My G5 at home has for the last few weeks not been running correctly. I assumed it was the HD (again) So new HD in hand, we replaced it, alas nothing. We can barely get it to boot. And this "water" noise is still being heard, the fans kick on in over drive. Could we have been mistaken.

What are the symptoms of a failing processor?

ElDiabloConCaca · #2 June 17th, 2009, 08:49 AM

"Water" noise?

Is your G5 a liquid-cooled model? If so, you may have the dreaded coolant leak problem... Apple should either fix it for free, or, in rare cases, replace your computer with a comparable Mac Pro model.

Can you elaborate on the symptoms your computer is exhibiting?

MrsSki · #3 June 17th, 2009, 09:35 AM

hm, now there is a question i dont know the answer too. if it is liquid cooled or not.

Its one of the first G5s that came out (its a quad, pre intel) and its 5.5 years old. I dont *think* its liquid cooled (were they even doing them that long ago) And of course the warranty is not loner valid.

Just as an FYI my husband is an IT guy. Usually PC, but has worked on my mac enough to know the basic goings on, and to do some simple hardware work (replacing the HD adding memory etc...)

Symptoms:
1. for some time on and off was a water noise. It almost sounded like water was leaking or running inside (this is what made me think the HD was bad) Its kind of hard to explain. But it would be when it was running.

More recently the fans would sometimes kick on into overdrive. But my husband cleaned the dust out. Then it started really acting up. If you started working on it, suddenly it would just go to sleep. If the computer had been off or asleep all day, and you started to work on it. You could get maybe 5 minutes out of it before the fans kicked on and it went to sleep. But after that, every 2 minutes or so, off it went.

The new HD was installed, and now its barely even starting up. When it does start up, we cant get it to even recognize the CD in the drive (to install the OS) the old HD is not getting any power either...

So we started talking and thought its possible its the Processor. The Power supply was replace by Apple about 2 years ago (dont ask, I think this machine is a lemon)...

But any hoo... thoughts? Im at a loss. and lost without my mac!

MrsSki · #4 June 17th, 2009, 09:42 AM

so my husband just informed me that there is rust inside of the tower, could it be that we do have a liquid based coolant? and that it does have the dreaded coolant leak??

MisterMe · #5 June 17th, 2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsSki

so my husband just informed me that there is rust inside of the tower, could it be that we do have a liquid based coolant? and that it does have the dreaded coolant leak??

I am not aware of a 2.5 GHz G5 that is not liquid-cooled. My work computer is such a machine. If it is liquid cooled, then it will eventually leak. There is no way around it.

This does not mean, however, that your problem is a coolant leak. If you have a coolant leak, then you should have puddles of coolant beneath your machine.

MrsSki · #6 June 17th, 2009, 09:58 AM

hm, interesting. no puddles BUT there is all kinds of rust and corrosion inside under the cover... is there such thing as a slow leak?

Sorry for so many questions, ive just never heard of this before...

ElDiabloConCaca · #7 June 17th, 2009, 10:09 AM

Yes, it does sound like a tell-tale coolant leak. There should be no rust or residue (other than dust) inside the computer -- and if the rust/residue is located close to the bottom of the computer, well, liquid runs downhill on this here Earth.

My first suggestion would be to call Apple directly. Google a little about G5 coolant leaks, and arm yourself with reports of other coolant leaks and free fixing/replacement of the computer. My guess is that Apple will work with you on this as long as you're patient and polite, but firm.

djackmac · #8 June 17th, 2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsSki

hm, interesting. no puddles BUT there is all kinds of rust and corrosion inside under the cover... is there such thing as a slow leak?

Sorry for so many questions, ive just never heard of this before...

It definitely sound like a leaker. Alot of times you need to remove the processor cover and processors to see the extent of the damage from liquid. On the bright side Apple in the past would usually replace just about everything except HD, optical, drive, perhaps RAM. But on the down side, the last time I did one of those it was going to be quite a long wait for the new processors. But like I said, its been a while. I don't even know if Apple is still even covering repairs on those. If its out of warranty which I'm sure it is, they are going to be asking for pictures of the damage.