Power Mac G5 not booting! please help!

E

Eva

Registered
Hi,

I'm new to the forum but would appreciate any insights you all can offer. I have a one month old 2.0 Dual processor G5 Power Mac, 512 MB. I use it to edit video with about 7 external hard drives attached. For a month, it's been working fine. Last night it didn't shut down correctly. After I dismounted my hard drives, the computer wouldn't turn off (spinning gear for 10 minutes) so I had to manually turn it off.

This morning it wouldn't boot up AT ALL. I got the question mark icon and the fan whirred relly loudly. this happened twice and the other attempts brought the blue/gray screen of nothingness. I tried to boot up from the Utilities disc with the Install CD and the computer can't find it's internal hard drive. The apple Help people have told me; 1.) the logic board is damaged, 2.) the hard drive is ruined. Either way, I am screwed because I am editing on a project that is due this week and I can't bring my computer to a tech store until Monday (they aren't open here in the sticks on the weekend).

Does anyone have any advice for getting my computer back up and running again? Or understanding what blew up my hard drive itn the first place? I don't even use that computer for the internet so it couldn't have been corrupted files. I think the problem must be connected to the external drives but how?

Any advice is appreciated. i am desperate.

thanks, eva
 
If you bought in new, contact Apple ASAP.

Now if is second hand, you may want to try some things (only if you did not buy it new or have AppleCare on it). I once came across a post on the apple discussion boards about a similar problem. The fix (after a lightning storm) was a reset of the G5's PMU. Here is the link to the fix.

Warning, if the G5 is new or you have Apple Care, call Apple ASAP!
 
hi,

thanks for the advice! I bought it new so it looks like it is covered. I am going to bring it in Monday and see what they can do with it. Do you think I shouldn't try to restart the PMU? i am itching to try it since I am desperate to get back to work!! Argh!!

i can't belive I paid so much for this problem. It is so frustrating!!

eva
 
It depends. It is new and if you are new(to OS X an Apple) and unsure, you should not. If you are confident, and are absolutly sure you won't mess the Mac up, go for it. This is not for the faint at heart.

AppleCare is really good and fast (in most cases). Better yet, if you bought it from a local Apple Store, even the better. They will take it in and check it out for you.

Good luck.

Warning though, I am not a hundred percent sure the PMU will work for you. The problem maybe hardware.

Now, you say it will power up but OS X will not boot. So there maybe other things happening (if the computer itself seems to have Power). An Apple Article talks about the steps to try to get it started again.

I it doesn't start after those steps, then there is something seriously wrong. Being that the G5 is not that old, call Apple. You may have something really wrong.
 
Hi,

Thanks again for your help. I checked out the apple Support and tried everything they said. no go again. i think something is seriously wrong. I will take it into a local Mac dealer tomorrow. I am so annoyed though. i am probably going to loose all my hard work and who knows if my external drives are damaged? All this and I just spend thousands of dollars to buy this G5!!?? Why did this happen? The timing couldn't be worse.

thanks though, those sites were helpful,

eva
 
you can try taking out the battery in the computer for an hour or so to let the capacitance run out then put it back in and it might start up
 
Hi,

thanks, I'll try taking the battery out for an hour and see if that changes anything. is it risky to do? i am not that computer savvy. I have tried to start up the computer using the Disc utility and the Start up disc countless times now and the hard drive is nary to be found. It has disappeared and I cannot figure out why? It was working fine last night and has worked fine for one month!! When I try to reset the PRAM the fan runs really LOUDLY and nothing happens. I am at a loss. how can the internal hard drive just disappear into thin air all of a sudden?

is it possible to start up from an exteral hard drive? When I take the computer in tomorrow I'll get anopther internal hard drive put in as a back up to hopefully prevent this in the future. i just hope all my drives are not damaged. this is too awful.

thanks, eva
 
Taking out the G5's battery involves opening up the tower, which may void your warranty so I wouldn't try that.

I think you can start up from external hard drives (FireWire). I THINK (don't quote me on this one) to start up from a FireWire drive you hold down the F key when starting up, but again I'd wait for someone either to back me up or dismiss my suggestion before you try anything.
 
You can boot from a Firewire external drive by pressing "F" right after you hear the boot chime. If it has a bootable OS X installation on it, it should boot.
 
riccbhard said:
You can boot from a Firewire external drive by pressing "F" right after you hear the boot chime. If it has a bootable OS X installation on it, it should boot.
Click to expand...

Yes, some have had success in booting in firewire target-disk mode to save their files when in dire circumstances. It is worth a try even though not likely to work. Also, press T not F. I hope you are well backed up.
 
hi,

thankfully most of my projects were backed up and it turns out that my external hard rives weren't damaged -- thank god -- that was my WORST fear! i went to the only mac dealer in the state yesterday and they tried a new internal drive and switched out the ram. all to no avail. it is most likely the mother board. i am so behind on my project that is due at the end of the week that i bought a lap top then and there because i can't afford to be down right now. i got apple care and eventually they will try a new logic board and see if that solves it. at this point i am really regretting the g5. i don't know if i'll ever trust it again but it is good to know i have an alternate editing computer if this happens again.

also, it makes me realize how careful i have to be in the future with backing up things and what not. i think i may even save up for a terabyte! pinch some pennies.

it feels good to be up and editing again and hopefully i'll hit my deadline!

thanks for the suggestions! let's hope apple can fix it for good!

eva
 
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