We experienced a power failure recently. When I came home I turned it on but ...nothing. Since this machine is a few years old (5-6), I suspected the PRAM battery. I had it checked and it shows a sufficient charge. I replaced it anyway and after installment, reset the PMU button. Again, the iMac did not power up.
Other than retrieving the hard drive and putting in in an external firewire enclosure, I'm at my wits end. I'm afraid the repair is going to cost more than the thing is worth. A new power supply is costly (around $120 to $130) and it's a pain to install. Any suggestions?
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I agree that it's probably the PSU. If you don't want to invest in the cost and effort of a replacement, your other option is to sell it on eBay as is and put those dollars toward a new box. A simple Mac Mini will knock your socks off next to that G4.
Yeah, I think you're right. I kinda liked this iMac. It was the last 'dual bootable' one, and it was fun to every once in a while boot into OS 9 and compare.
A very unique design with the swivel arm and all.
Oh well. Good bye, old friend!
pmu or power supply, probably not worth investing time in to repair even if only the ps.
Which iMac G4? The 20"er?
There was no 20" iMac G4, only 15" or 17". Either way, it's still probably not worth salvaging.
Doh, and I even double-checked Mactracker!
My version of MT has the description wrong, so I missed it. Forgot they did make those unwieldy behemoths for 6 mo. I stand corrected, thanks DK. I still wouldn't pay to repair it, though, unless you're comfortable doing it yourself and are looking for a complicated project.
we see them from time to time here they're not very common. the necks on them don't handle the weight well either.
Yeah, I undertook the 'sad' procedure of taking out the hard drive and installing it in an external (firewire) enclosure. At least, that way I have access to the data.
After checking with various vendors selling parts (power supplies, etc.), I decided it's not worth the expense (and effort) to have it repaired.
have fun digging. That machine, for its age, is one of the most buried hard drives of them all. You'll need a PH1, T10, and T8 plus of course a PH1.
If it has an airport card in it, you may be able to sell the card for a little coin. Apple doesn't sell either the older or the newer cards anymore and ppl are looking for them.
Argh, I remember swapping hard drives in those old girls. Friggin' nightmare. As bad as swapping drives in my old Al PBG4...
As bad as swapping drives in my old Al PBG4
12"?
Yes, the hard drive was well hidden but I finally got it out (took some time).
No AirPort card, not even additional RAM, just the original 500MB.
I was also surprised that in spite of that tight dome enclosure that this poor old 'lamp shade' had collected an awful amount of dust bunnies. All of which makes me wonder now if perhaps it simply overheated?
Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter anymore now...
Do you know if your logicboard is in good condition? Where you having any kernel panics frequently prior to its death? Is the logicboard still in good condition after you pulled your HD?
I have a 20" iMac G4 and I am fond of it, don't even mind taking it apart now that I have all of the tools I need gathered up. Could be that since I also have a PowerBoook G4 12" then I don't see how taking apart anything else would be simpler.
AFAIK, the logic board is fine. No kernel panics, nada.
I think the power supply died. Replacements are too expensive for this machine.
My power supply went out earlier this year but I replaced that and all works fine.
I have been looking at a Mac mini since it would be the least expensive upgrade route in the future. Too bad that the iMacs 20" screen can't be put to use with the Mac mini, or so I've read. Some of those refurbs at the Apple Store look awful tempting and in the past I have been very satisfied with the purchase.
What are you upgrading to, Misha, or do you have another Mac and this iMac was just an "extra" machine?
When I use the 20" and I switch over to the 12" PB, man you can really appreciate the additional screen space!
Too bad that the iMacs 20" screen can't be put to use with the Mac mini
we get asked that a lot. Everyone wants to use an imac g4 as an external monitor on their new computer.
>
Everyone wants to use an imac g4 as an external monitor on their new computer.Would
ScreenRecycler work for that?
Well typically they want to use the display on their dead old mac but that's an interesting option...
Thankfully I still have my 17" Intel iMac (Core 2 Duo) and the G4 was just an 'extra'.
Do you have any plans for the G4 computer now? Recycling or such? I would not mind having a few extra spare parts for the G4 iMac. Let me know.