iMac Dead upon trying Mac OS 10.2 install

pbmac

pbmac

MacTV is your friend
I have run into a peculiar problem:

I wanted to install 10.2 onto my 1999 Slot-drive iMac (400MHz).
I inserted the 10.2 CD and came all the way to the first few dialog boxes. Then, where it askes you to confirm the license agreement, the computer froze. Thus, I pressed the "restart" button and awaited to start the installation again.

The iMac seemed to turn on as usual: green light turned on, made mac sound and started up Harddrive. However, after about 5 seconds, the whole thing shut down again.... the screen did not even turn on....
Upon hooking up an external monitor, I noticed that the iMac would show a grey screen for a split second before turning off again.

What could it be?
PRAM? RAM? Harddrive? Display?....

I tried different ram - didn't help
I replaced the clock battery (which was old, anyway) - didn't help
I unplugged the harddrive - didn't help
I unplugged the CD-Drive - didn't help
I tried all the keyboard combinations - didn't help
I let it sit for a day - didn't help

Finally, I took it over to our local Mac Store....
This is what they said:

my problem stems from not having installed the newest Firmware before trying to install Mac OS 10.2
Without the Firmware, the OS install may lead to HARDWARE damage to the PMU or Mainboard - this requires replacement of the board a la $300.

If this is true (and I haven't talked to the product specialists at Apple, because I didn't have my serial number with me today) I think this is outrageous!!!! Nowhere did I find mention of HARDWARE damage if I don't install the Firmware - and it doesn't mention this on the Apple Support page where it talks about installing the FW on the iMac.
Oh, and conveniently, Apple doesn't give any Knowledgebase tips regarding this problem - which IT SHOULD!!!

I will call Apple tomorrow to talk to the appropriate people. Unfortunately the warranty expired in October - but I still hope that I can strike a deal with apple.

Have anyone of you come across such a problem???

- thanks!!!

Matthias

aka pbmac
 
If I'm not mistaken, the Read Me for every installer of Mac OS X I have used says to install any firmware upgrades *before* installation. Read Me's exist for this purpose!

Although, if it's any consolation, it does seen a bit outrageous that a machine could suffer hardware damage from an OS upgrade!

Mars :)
 
It is indeed in the read-me displayed to you right in the installer than you have to click OK to get past. They are called 'read-me's for a reason.
 
Thank you! I agree!! Of course, what if I am installing OSX on the empty hard drive and have no way of reading the Readme file? Yes, it will come up as part of the installation - however, at this point, it was already too late :)

- pbmac
 
what if I am installing OSX on the empty hard drive and have no way of reading the Readme file? Yes, it will come up as part of the installation - however, at this point, it was already too late
Click to expand...

No, not too late. The Installer displays the Read Me just before (or maybe it's after) the EULA. Nothing has been installed at that point, so the install can be easily cancelled.

Mars :)
 
But even after the readme, nothing has been installed... assuming I haven't passed the EULA...

The thing is,.... once the OSX setup screens come up (once the CD starts booting up), it's essentially too late to turn back...

- pbmac
 
The Read me on the CD can be read, even if there is nothing on the computer. It is something you should check before totally erasing your hard drive. There is a cancel button that should allow you to go back.

Which the question is, if nothing got installed... You said:" Then, where it asks you to confirm the license agreement, the computer froze."

Seems to me that at that point nothing was installed. Why would it damage the motherboard or PMU? strange....
 
yes!! that's what I find strange, too. They said it was the PMU or video board. Perhaps the display technique of OS X can already damage these components in certain instances...

- pbmac
 
Answer to problem:

I finally fixed the problem.
First, I recommend you buy one of those Service CDs for Macs that are sold on eBay. Most likely you'll get a CD-R copy, but that shouldn't matter, cause the info on the CD is invaluable! So, I measured the voltages on my boards and concluded that none of the boards were defect. So,... then after much fiddling around I did this:

Take out the RAM
Start up the computer
Should hear Error Beep saying that no ram is present
I put in another ram chip
I took out the Backup battery
I pushed the CUDA button (the PMU reset button) ONCE and waited 10secs
Then I put the battery back into place (after making sure it measured at about 3.3V)
Then, I waited 10s
Then I pushed the CUDA button again
And waited 10s again
Then I powered up the computer
It starts up this time and gets all the way to OS 9 but NO VIDEO
I hook up another monitor to the DV port
I boot up again and see the desktop and stuff
I install the newest Firmware
I restart and notice that VIDEO on the iMac is now working.

Some of these steps may have been unnessasary (like pressing the CUDA button when the battery was not present)... but it worked after I did all this.

Anyway....
this is the solution to my problem:
(search words)

iMac Screen Dead
iMac startup problem
iMac turns off after 5 seconds
iMac dead video board
 
I would assume that OS X installer did not burn out the video board.

Or would it???????

Are you getting a replacement from Apple? How much are they charging you for it?
 
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