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TICKET ARCHIVE -> G5 Startup Problem
dimpared - Aug 9, 2005 - 9:46 pm
I'm using a dual 2.5ghz g5 with 2.5 gigs of ram. I have two 250GB HDDs in RAID 0 configuration. I am running OSX Tiger 10.4.2. I also have two 20-inch Apple cinema displays hooked up.
The machine starts up normally only after it has been off for a prolonged period of time (about 30 minutes or more). When I keep the machine running it sleeps and wakes up with no problems. If I restart or shutdown the computer and then attempt to turn it back on, it doesn't do so. The led on the front of the machine turns on, I hear the hard drives spinning up but the monitors do not turn on and none of my 3rd party peripheral's (Microsoft wireless mouse & Wacom tablet) lights come on.
If hold the power button down, force shut down the machine, wait a few seconds and reboot, it still will not start up. There is often not a startup chime at all, whether it starts up fine or not. When it doesn't start up properly and there is a chime present, it will get halfway or so through the chime and then cut off. If I wait about 30 minutes + and try to start the machine again the chime plays all the way through and the computer boots properly. I just don't get it.
One other symptom that it has is that when I put the machine to sleep manually, it will go to sleep and then wake right back up. It does not happen every time, but sporadically. I just recently had a problem where I went to compress a video file using Apple's Compressor (which creates a high CPU load) and the machine automatically went to sleep. I was able to wake it up, but upon entering in my password and unlocking the computer, it immediately goes back to sleep. My only option was to force the computer to shut down by holding down the power button.
To me it seems like it may be a problem with it having to drain some electricity or something that may be in it, but that's the only thing I have thought of. It's becoming very troublesome and annoying, because every time I want to restart the computer, I need to leave it off for about 30 minutes + just to restart it. Any help you may be able to provide would be GREATLY appreciated, thank you.
Sincerely,
Dimpared
The machine starts up normally only after it has been off for a prolonged period of time (about 30 minutes or more). When I keep the machine running it sleeps and wakes up with no problems. If I restart or shutdown the computer and then attempt to turn it back on, it doesn't do so. The led on the front of the machine turns on, I hear the hard drives spinning up but the monitors do not turn on and none of my 3rd party peripheral's (Microsoft wireless mouse & Wacom tablet) lights come on.
If hold the power button down, force shut down the machine, wait a few seconds and reboot, it still will not start up. There is often not a startup chime at all, whether it starts up fine or not. When it doesn't start up properly and there is a chime present, it will get halfway or so through the chime and then cut off. If I wait about 30 minutes + and try to start the machine again the chime plays all the way through and the computer boots properly. I just don't get it.
One other symptom that it has is that when I put the machine to sleep manually, it will go to sleep and then wake right back up. It does not happen every time, but sporadically. I just recently had a problem where I went to compress a video file using Apple's Compressor (which creates a high CPU load) and the machine automatically went to sleep. I was able to wake it up, but upon entering in my password and unlocking the computer, it immediately goes back to sleep. My only option was to force the computer to shut down by holding down the power button.
To me it seems like it may be a problem with it having to drain some electricity or something that may be in it, but that's the only thing I have thought of. It's becoming very troublesome and annoying, because every time I want to restart the computer, I need to leave it off for about 30 minutes + just to restart it. Any help you may be able to provide would be GREATLY appreciated, thank you.
Sincerely,
Dimpared
appletech85 - Aug 9, 2005 - 10:08 pm
I am a certified Apple Repair Tech by day, and I will tell you this...
You machine needs service. Apple should replace your Logic board
and/or Processors. Hopefully your G5 is under Applecare or the standard warranty. Godd Luck... 1-800-SOS-APPLE
You machine needs service. Apple should replace your Logic board
and/or Processors. Hopefully your G5 is under Applecare or the standard warranty. Godd Luck... 1-800-SOS-APPLE
dimpared - Aug 9, 2005 - 10:18 pm
Thank you very much for your extremely fast response! I have one other question however. If I installed an extra hard drive and extra ram myself, will apple work on it? It is still under standard warranty.
Dimpared
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dimpared - Aug 9, 2005 - 10:23 pm
P.S. I also replaced the superdrive it came with with a new dual layer drive.
Dimpared
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appletech85 - Aug 9, 2005 - 10:35 pm
Ok, first verify that the Hard Drive and the extra memory are not the problems.
Remove the extra memory, and make sure the original memory is in correctly.
Check for the problems. Its unlikely that the hard drive is causing it but try anyway if the problems didnt go away with the 3rd party memory removed.
If neither of these things work then, unplug the computer. Remove the side cover and plastic insert. Next to the processors is a fan pull that out, and press the little reset button. Put the fan back in and wait about 5 mins to plug it in again. Test for the issues.
If that does not do it try this.
Shut down your G5, and upon boot hold down
Apple+option+O+F
at the prompt type
reset-nvram
set-defaults
reset-all
After the last command the machine will reboot.
Test for the issue..
If all that fails call Apple and tell them that you reset the PMU and SMU.
Took out 3rd party memory, and Ran Apple Hardware test. They will not decline your repair because of third party memory, but do not let them tell you that is the 3rd party memorys fault, unless it is.
Good Luck
Remove the extra memory, and make sure the original memory is in correctly.
Check for the problems. Its unlikely that the hard drive is causing it but try anyway if the problems didnt go away with the 3rd party memory removed.
If neither of these things work then, unplug the computer. Remove the side cover and plastic insert. Next to the processors is a fan pull that out, and press the little reset button. Put the fan back in and wait about 5 mins to plug it in again. Test for the issues.
If that does not do it try this.
Shut down your G5, and upon boot hold down
Apple+option+O+F
at the prompt type
reset-nvram
set-defaults
reset-all
After the last command the machine will reboot.
Test for the issue..
If all that fails call Apple and tell them that you reset the PMU and SMU.
Took out 3rd party memory, and Ran Apple Hardware test. They will not decline your repair because of third party memory, but do not let them tell you that is the 3rd party memorys fault, unless it is.
Good Luck
dimpared - Aug 9, 2005 - 10:41 pm
I had already tested the memory and hard drives in the way you suggested and they are not the problem. However I have not tried resetting the fan or resetting the PMU and SMU in the command prompt. I will try this and if it does not resolve the problem, I will call Apple. Thank you very much for your help and suggestions, it is greatly appreciated.
Dimpared
Dimpared
appletech85 - Aug 9, 2005 - 11:02 pm
pressing that button does not reset the fan, it resets the PMU here how Apple explains it
The PMU (Power Management Unit) is a microcontroller chip that controls all power
functions for this computer. The PMU is a computer within a computer. Its function is to:
• tell the computer to turn on, turn off, sleep, wake, idle, etc.
• manage system resets from various commands.
• maintain parameter RAM (PRAM).
• manage the real-time clock.
Important: Be very careful when handling the logic board. The PMU is very sensitive and
touching the circuitry on the logic board can cause the PMU to crash. If the PMU crashes
and is not reset, the battery life goes from about five years to about two days.
Note: For the location of the PMU reset button, see “Logic Board Diagram” in the Views
chapter.
Many system problems can be resolved by resetting the PMU chip. When you have a
computer that fails to power up, follow this procedure before replacing any modules:
1. Disconnect the power cord and check the battery in the battery holder. The battery
should read 3.3 to 3.7 volts. If the battery is bad, replace it, wait ten seconds, and then
proceed to step 2. If the battery is good, go directly to step 2.
2. Press the PMU reset button once and then proceed to step 3. Do not press the PMU
reset button a second time because it could crash the PMU chip.
3. Wait ten seconds before connecting the power cord and powering on the computer. If
the computer does not power on, there is something else wrong with it; refer to the
“System” section of “Symptom Charts” in this chapter.
Note: The above procedure resets the computer’s PRAM. After resetting the PMU, be
sure to reset the time, date, and other system parameter settings.
The PMU (Power Management Unit) is a microcontroller chip that controls all power
functions for this computer. The PMU is a computer within a computer. Its function is to:
• tell the computer to turn on, turn off, sleep, wake, idle, etc.
• manage system resets from various commands.
• maintain parameter RAM (PRAM).
• manage the real-time clock.
Important: Be very careful when handling the logic board. The PMU is very sensitive and
touching the circuitry on the logic board can cause the PMU to crash. If the PMU crashes
and is not reset, the battery life goes from about five years to about two days.
Note: For the location of the PMU reset button, see “Logic Board Diagram” in the Views
chapter.
Many system problems can be resolved by resetting the PMU chip. When you have a
computer that fails to power up, follow this procedure before replacing any modules:
1. Disconnect the power cord and check the battery in the battery holder. The battery
should read 3.3 to 3.7 volts. If the battery is bad, replace it, wait ten seconds, and then
proceed to step 2. If the battery is good, go directly to step 2.
2. Press the PMU reset button once and then proceed to step 3. Do not press the PMU
reset button a second time because it could crash the PMU chip.
3. Wait ten seconds before connecting the power cord and powering on the computer. If
the computer does not power on, there is something else wrong with it; refer to the
“System” section of “Symptom Charts” in this chapter.
Note: The above procedure resets the computer’s PRAM. After resetting the PMU, be
sure to reset the time, date, and other system parameter settings.
dimpared - Aug 10, 2005 - 1:29 pm
Neither resetting the PMU abd SMU and no luck, still having the same symptoms. I will be calling Apple and scheduling an apointment, hopefully I'll have my computer back in a timely fashion. I know it can sometimes take 2 weeks just to get it back. Thanks for your help.
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appletech85 - Aug 10, 2005 - 4:33 pm
Make them come to you for a repair, if they refuse tell them you are handicapped or in a wheelchair........ They will sechedule a tech to come to your home
dimpared - Sep 10, 2005 - 2:26 am
I finally brought my computer to the Apple store to be repaired. The replaced the Logic Board, the power supply and processor and the problem was not fixed. In the end, the video card ended up being the culprate of this odd behavior. Thank you appletech85 for all your help and support.
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