ImacG5 doesn't boot anymore

W

willx19

Registered
I wanted to restard my Imac G5, and each time at the gray screen with the little spinning wheel, just before it turns blue, the computer shuts down.
I sarted it up on the installer disk and tryed to repair the disk with diskutility but my hard disk is not visible anymore
What can I do? I was in the middle of a project and hav'nt made all the backups!
 
I recommend doing the first bit of advice of Target Disk Mode and copying your files over to a backup drive. However, it is possible that it's not the hard drive but something else. There was an issue with the power supply and logic board on practically all iMac G5 models due to a defect in the capacitors used (Apple wasn't the only one affected). My iMac G5 was affected by this as well.

Apple did have a replacement program for the PSU and the logic board, but that has since ended as of December of last year.

Best bet would be to try using the Apple Hardware Test disc that came with your iMac G5 and see what it says.
 
nixgeek said:
However, it is possible that it's not the hard drive but something else. There was an issue with the power supply and logic board on practically all iMac G5 models due to a defect in the capacitors used (Apple wasn't the only one affected). My iMac G5 was affected by this as well.
Click to expand...

However, if it's the power supply or motherboard, the computer wouldn't boot up at all, would it?
 
Natobasso said:
However, if it's the power supply or motherboard, the computer wouldn't boot up at all, would it?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. Mine would boot up to the gray apple and it would kernel panic right there. Sometimes it wouldn't even get beyond the startup chime, which would sound distorted at times. It all had to do with faulty capacitors that would progressively fail on the logic board and take out the PSU in the process.

http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/imacg5/topic2269.html

Here's more information from TidBITS:
http://db.tidbits.com/article/8080

I've also posted about it numerous times in this forum to those who've had similar issues mentioned. A search in the forum will reveal the posts with all the information.
 
nixgeek said:
I've also posted about it numerous times in this forum to those who've had similar issues mentioned. A search in the forum will reveal the posts with all the information.
Click to expand...

Um, yeah, let me just go search for all that right now instead of working. :D Nah, I hear what you're saying.
 
Natobasso said:
Um, yeah, let me just go search for all that right now instead of working. :D Nah, I hear what you're saying.
Click to expand...

Well, that paragraph wasn't really directed to you, but if you have the time to spare.... ;)

To be honest, I just didn't feel like rehashing what is already in similar threads. The search function here is actually not too bad. I've been able to find old threads without too much trouble.
 
Hi Notobasso and nexgeek. Thanks a lot for your Help. Finaly I solved the problem by simply rebuilding my system with Diskwarrior (utility did'nt see my hard disk anymore)and it worked!
I had this Imac G5 repaired for a defective power supply 6 month ago, and they charged me almost 500$, saying it was a package deal... Anyway, it's good to now there are people out there who have the same problems, and who care. Thanks
 
willx19 said:
Hi Notobasso and nexgeek. Thanks a lot for your Help. Finaly I solved the problem by simply rebuilding my system with Diskwarrior (utility did'nt see my hard disk anymore)and it worked!
I had this Imac G5 repaired for a defective power supply 6 month ago, and they charged me almost 500$, saying it was a package deal... Anyway, it's good to now there are people out there who have the same problems, and who care. Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi9 willx19. So glad to hear that Diskwarrior was able to resolve the problem. Sorry that you ended up having to pay for replacement parts. It really sucks that the iMac G5, which is quite a good system and will be for a while longer IMO despite Leopard being its last hurrah, had to have this major Achilles heel attributed to it. That said, if it were to happen to me again (God willing it doesn't), I would probably invest in an earlier model Core 2 Duo iMac or a Mac mini. Either would be a major speed improvement over my current iMac G5, especially since I don't really use Classic environment much anymore.
 
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