Emac FREEZE, Safe Boot Works Fine...

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dhp420

Registered
Emac 1.25 GHz G4
1 GB Ram
OSX 10.3.9

This all started a while back. When I start the box up normally, it will load, I login, it will freeze a couple of min. into use. No matter what I do, it locks up, spinning wheel of death. Sometimes there will be scrabled graphics on the screen, cant esc, have to force shutdown.

I have replaced the ram, reset my pram, completly erased my HD, reinstalled 10.3, all to no avail. still freezes.

I'm thinking it MUST be the video, but everything passes hardware tests and I'm sorta stuck right now.

I would greatly appreciate anyone response, ideas, suggestions.

THANKS!
-Dylan
 
Check to see what "Login Items" you have set to launch at login (System Prefs > Accounts > Login Items). Anything strange in there, or anything that may be causing a freeze?
 
yup, done all that...

reset pram, replaced ram, wrote 0's on the HD, reinstalled 10.3.9, still freezing.

i let it run in normal mode playing itunes for about an hour, RAN FINE... started a dvd, froze 1min in to it... must be the video eh? but the card passes test. is there any way to replace the video in an emac or is it on the mobo?

BUT, i can watch a dvd in safe boot....no sound though

any ideas?
 
G'day,

Over the past 4-6 weeks I've had various problems with my eMac (built mid-04). First vertical lines were randomly appearing on screen... though this appeared to resolve itself after a few restarts. But now my eMac is freezing up (can only do a hard shut-down by holding the power button - no response at all from the computer to any keyboard/mouse activity) on a regular basis (3-7 times a week).

Looking at Apple Discussions, there's talk of this problem being a faulty series of capacitors that are leaking all over the logic board... No word from Apple yet as to whether they'll instigate a repair program - a new logic board plus instal will cost around $850 US...

Just wanting to get the word out... I really hope another option comes to light, but I've done everything except reformat my drive, and still getting the problem. Apparently if you disable some of the ATI video card extensions it helps reduce the problem. Also presumably reduces the usability...

cheers

Travis
Brisbane, AU
Mac Owner since 1991
 
cosmichobo, thats exactly my problem

my emac has been off for two months, ever since i got the intel duo imac...
wonder if i should try to sell it or wait on apple to come up with something...
 
For those experiencing System Freezes on their 1.25Ghz eMac,

http://www.apple.com/au/support/emac/repairextensionprogram/

First thing you should do is look under the inspection hatch at the 2 capacitors (mini coke can looking things). If they look as though they've been left in the freezer overnight and are bulging/leaking, then you have the problem.

Apple will replace your logic board for free. Contact them/your nearest repairer for more info. Ask about any delays, as some are finding that there is a shortage of new logic boards with delays up to 2+ months.
 
oh my god, this is EXACLTY my problem here, same exact thing... have you found a way ? I did everything you did, didn't work though...
Plese go any answer ?
 
Apple's above Repair Program has basically now expired. They were covering affected eMacs for 3 years from date of sale, which in most cases has now expired. (although the link above still works, it goes to the Australian/Pacific Apple site, not the US site - the US site as deleted the reference to the repair program).

If you look inside your eMac (open the RAM hatch) and see leaky/bulging capacitors (just below the RAM, 2 capacitors are visible - 2 of many more hidden inside), then you MIGHT be able to convince Apple to still repair your computer, but it might take some effort...

First thing is to call some Apple repair stores and ask them about it. Tell them you've seen the capacitors are leaking... see if they feel that Apple should still cover this.
 
If you're having the capacitor problem, I don't think that Apple is still honoring this replacement program since the eMac has been discontinued for some years now. It's worth a try inquiring Apple about, though....you could get lucky.

If you're not too shy of soldering irons, then you could actually replace the capacitors that have bulged. There are a few sites online that could show you how to replace them, but you have to be cautious with the voltages from the CRT tube.
 
Call them nevertheless, especially if you can show them that you have the capacitor problem.
If in doubt, and you can't check the capacitors... post Console.log and System.log (Applications/Utilities > Console application) the last lines you see from the previous shutdown (when it was a freeze), as that will show what caused it, what froze etc. It could be as well an application, the OS, the RAM...
 
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question.

My computer is still "f*&*$% up" but at least I know the problem...
It's just too bad i have to pay for THEIR error...

I will call apple store and see if something is possible... if not i'll buy a brand new PC...
 
Whoa, Thanks to all of you people in less than 24 hours, you've quickly identified the problem, now I have seen a leacky capacitor just below my RAM, so now begins a long telephone road ahead,

Thanks again real kind of you !
 
Giaguara said:
Call them nevertheless, especially if you can show them that you have the capacitor problem.
If in doubt, and you can't check the capacitors... post Console.log and System.log (Applications/Utilities > Console application) the last lines you see from the previous shutdown (when it was a freeze), as that will show what caused it, what froze etc. It could be as well an application, the OS, the RAM...
Click to expand...

Thank you for your usefull information, i saw the capacitors and one of them was leaking, went to a apple store.... they almost laughed at me, returning me back home..said to call apple for this.. yeah right, after 2hours and 45 minutes at the phone talking to technicians, i asked to talked to someone higher, telling him that its unnaceptable to buy a computer that dies after only 2 years... he told me that he would replace all my logic board and pay the labor too, allright, I won this fight !
Thanx to you @
 
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