G5 computer flashing on and off... broken??

I was on the phone with Apple for something and they said to press command + option + P + R. Then my computer started making a really weird noise and the power light was blinking on and off three times then stopping... then repeating over and over. HELP ASAP!! Please! I talked to Apple again and they said I have to take it in to the store!! Anyone know how to fix this??
I shouldn't have to use up my own time for something Apple did! 

Is this an iMac G5 we are talking about here?  PowerMac8.1 would indicate thus.
Normally, the three-flash sequence indicates a problem with the RAM in the machine.  The G5 iMac information I have (not necessarily complete, mind you) indicates that it uses beeps, rather than flashes, but it could be either.
Some further questions, then something to try.
What problem were you having when you were advised to to the PRAM reset?
Was there anything else you were told to try and did try before doing the PRAM reset?
Now, something you can try is to simply reseat the RAM modules in the computer.  Or, if you have multiple modules (or sets), remove one module (or set) at a time and try to boot.
The following may or may not apply to your machine, but is can serve as a guide:
RAM and Processor Verification: Power-On Self Test
A power-on self test in the computer’s ROM automatically runs whenever the computer is started up after being fully shut down (the test does not run if the computer is only restarted). If the test detects a problem, the status LED located above the power button on the front of the computer will flash in the following ways:
• 2 Flashes: No RAM is installed or detected.
• 3 Flashes: Incompatible RAM types are installed.
• 4 Flashes: No RAM banks passed memory testing.

Similar Messages

  • Computer display flashing on and off

    So for the past couple weeks, whenever we turn on our computer, our display flashes on and off to the point to where its practically unusable. Eventually it stops after at least half an hour of blinking, but I was wondering, what could be wrong and how could I fix it? The computer isn't really affected, between flashes it isn't shutting down and the log in is still available, however, it only shows what I'm doing for a second before flashing back off. We tried switching displays but that didn't work either. Is there anything that could be done or should we just get rid of it?

    Glad that you found the cause, expensive as it may be. I am not sure about this Out of Range message. What sort of monitor are you using? Most will connect and the Displays preferences self adjust.
    Within the preferences are a number of display resolutions and refresh frequencies (in Hz) but these are not always shown (for example with my notebook monitor it displays resolutions not refresh rates (always the same for the built in monitor) but when I attach a monitor, such as HDTV or projector, I am offered a range of rates for each resolution.

  • I am having problems with my macbook pro and the dock.  About every fourth time I start the computer, the dock flashes on and off, then goes completely off and all I get is the spinning ball with brief moments of the cursor.  But the computer locks up.

    I am having problems with my macbook pro and the dock.  About every fourth time I start the computer, the dock flashes on and off, then goes completely off and all I get is the spinning ball with brief moments of the cursor.  But the computer locks up.

    Do you have Parallels installed by any chance?  There is a known problem that causes symptoms similar to this.  You do not need to actually be running Parallels at the time and nothing in ActivityMonitor would point to Parallels.  An update corrects the problem:
    http://kb.parallels.com/111541

  • New 7th generation ipod keeps flashing on and off. Wont charge, and is not being recognized on itunes

    I just got a brand new ipod nano 7th generation. I plugged it into my computer and it began to flash on and off. I tunes will not recognize it and I cant turn it off.I tried reseting it and that didnt work either. My brother then tried and got it working. Said it was fully charged and was able to put music on it and listen to it. Later that day I turned it on and it just continued to flash on and off and the same problems are occuring. Any idea whats going on??

    IPOD NANO FLASHING ON AND OFF
    see if this helps

  • Ipod flashing on and off

    Alright, I had to do a full restore on my computer and lost everything. Plugged the Ipod in afterwards, and lost all my songs/movies. Well now it told me that I had to download the update in order to put new songs on. I did. Now the ipod is flashing on and off and wont let me do anything. I tried reseting it, and it turns off, but as soon as I let go of the buttons it goes right back to flashing on and off. I need some help. Anything anyone could tell me?

    I have the same problem, created first when iPod updated on Friday night. I returned the month old iPod for a new one, installed and was downloading library when the new Ipod went into the same catastrophic failure.
    HERE IS THE FIX: (walked through w/ Apple Store Rep)
    1. Make sure there is power to the iPod (with all the cycling, your battery is probably drained).
    2. Toggle the Lock Switch on top of the iPod 3 or 4 times, then hold Menu and Center Button down simultaneously (same as doing a reset).
    3. When the Apple Logo reappears, hold the Center Button and the Play/Pause button down simultaneouly.
    4. If all goes well, the screen should say, at the very top, Disk Drive Mode (or something to that effect).
    5. If you have been running off computer power, disconnect then reconnect the usb cable.
    6. Open iTunes
    If all goes well, the iPod connection should appear on the iTunes screen with the opportunity to Restore.
    7. Restore your iPod to factory settings. Once the download is complete, you should be back in business.

  • Monitor keeps flashing on and off

    I have a mac G4 quicksilver running 10.4.11. The machine runs fine for what it is. The problem is with the monitor. I had an old apple display hooked up to it which began to flash on and off --- for no reason. I would unplug the monitor for a while, plug it back in, it would work fine for a bit...then the power would flash on and off...on and off...over and over. So, I thought the problem was with the monitor. I got a second monitor from work, which has never had any problems, plugged it into the G4 and before long, the same thing was happening to the new monitor...power turning on and off, on and off. For a while it will work...then just go off.
    Since the same thing is happening with both monitors, this leads me to think it’s something with the G4...but I don’t know what. Maybe the port where the monitor plugs into on the back of the computer is bad?? Is that possible?
    Does anyone have any ideas?? Can someone point me in the right direction of what I need to check?

    Hi! For starters open it up and see if the video card has a fan on it and if so verify if it's working. Once you are sure of that you can start troubleshooting the problem better. Tom

  • Pages not loading / loading slowly / flashing on and off

    MacBook Pro
    OS X 10.5.8
    Safari 5.0.6
    I have had trouble with loading pages on Safari lately on my MacBook Pro. Some take forever to load, and when they do, they load either incomplete, or not at all, leaving a white screen (even when some images appeared, they disappear). I started noticing the problem the worst when I installed an app for an online focus group that I took part in. The app's purpose, I think, was to monitor my browsing, so they could collect data to see where I was shopping for phones, going on social networks, etc. When the app was connected, safari simply did not want to load; when it was off, it worked better. I have de-installed it (I think) using their de-install function. However, the problem has continued even without the app running.
    Another problem that has recently appeared is that some pages (specifically, my gmail) have started to flash on and off at times. At first it happened during the use of the app, but it still occurs even after de-installing the app.
    The only other thing I think might have affected my macbook is that we recently installed a time capsule as our router (I think my husband needed to upgrade our OS on one of the laptops in order to make it work? Not sure, he may just have wanted to upgrade it in order to connect our new iPads.)
    I will say, that my Safari / internet experience has been rather slower than it was when I first got the computer, and has gotten a bit annoying over the last few months - not terrible, but I know it's just not working like it should.
    1) What can I do to alleviate the loading / flashing issue?
    2) Are there any steps I can take to "cleanse" my computer of unneccessary items that may be bogging it down?
    Bonus: What do I need to do before loading a new OS on my current Pro?
    Many thanks for any advice you can contribute!

    Hi ...
    1. Try a Safe Mode boot.
    Startup your Mac in Safe Mode
    A Safe Mode boot takes a longer than a normal boot so be patient.
    Once you are in Safe Mode, click Restart from the Apple () menu.
    Mac OS X: What is Safe Mode?
    2. Reformat (erase) the hard drive. Insert the install disc while holidng down the C key.
    Unfortunately, a reformat will erase everything off the drive back to factory settings but may be the only way to erdicate any left over files associated wih that app.
    Before you do that, you could try searching for anything related to the app using Spotlight >  Mac Basics: Spotlight
    Any software that monitors online activity is bound to have an affect on a browser.

  • My nano keeps flashing on and off

    my brand new nano fresh out of the box is flashing on and off when it is connected to my computer. It will not turn on at all when not attached to the computer. when it is attached to the computer it only flashes the black apple it will not do anything else. I am installing this new ipod on my dad's computer (for him) it is running on windows XP (PC).
    HELP!
    thanks
    paula

    Hello tacole,
    I would be concerned as well if my iPod nano was not responsive.  I found a resource that I think would help in a situation like this.
    I recommend following the steps in this troubleshooting assistant for your iPod nano model if possible:
    iPod Troubleshooting Assistants
    http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
    Thank you for posting in the Apple Support Communities.
    Best,
    Sheila M.

  • 4400 (flashing on and off)

    Hello experts,
    I have a MSI G4Ti4400, I purchased about a year ago and it is having problem displaying, the screen keeps turning on and off ever 5 to 6 seconds (a flash on and off). What should I do? How do I make exchange with MSI if this item is broken?
    Thank you all,
    Mike

    Mike,
    It would help if you listed all your specs so we would know exacly what we were looking at. Then I would try swapping monitors with another comp and see if the problem stays with the comp or follows the monitor.
    Take Care,
    Richard

  • Ipod classic try to start but the apple just flashes on and off.

    Ipod classic I try to start but the apple just flashes on and off.
    I can't reset and it doesn't show it charging. Not recognized by computer. 
    It was working just fine in my car, I stopped for an hour, and when I came back it just started the flashing thing.
    Anyone have any ideas?

    Reset it this way.
    After charging till full charge, at least 2 hours (preferably 4 hours)
    Toggle the Hold switch, make sure you dont see the red mark when you do the  next step
    Reset the iPod -> Press Menu and Center button simultaneously for about 10 secs or till the Apple Logo comes ON
    Then release the buttons
    Select your preferred language.
    Here is the Apple support Article on the 5Rs
    http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/classic/
    If it is  still not working.
    Then Restore it using iTunes
    Good Luck!

  • IPhone mute bell randomly flashing on and off.

    I have an iPhone 3gs and the mute bell picture keeps randomly flashing on and off the screen. Doesn't affect calls but is very annoying. Only been doing it since IOS 5.0.1 update. It doesn't have a set pattern but is doing it more and more each day. Any suggestions? Thanks

    The switch is physically broken. It doesn't have anything to do with the software update, just coincidence.
    Take it to the Apple Store.

  • My ipad is stuck on the boot logo flashes on and off.

    I I wont lie im sorry apple will never do it again. I had jailbroken my ipad to see what its like and I got tierd of it and deleted it but I didnt have a computer so I was going to delete it through cydia app. But a error accured and no apps would further open so I turned it off  and when I turned it back on it got stuck on the apple logo and it just flashes on and off and doesnt do anything else. What can I do to fix it.

    okay this a update to what is going on. I tried putting it in dfu mode again thinking maybe i didn't do it right the first time, so what happened was the loading bar went away but the apple logo stayed, after a few seconds it went back to a apple logo with a loading bar.
    then a bit later iTunes said welcome to your new iPad so i clicked restore from back up for awhile it said estimating time but then it said a error occurred.

  • My iPod generation 5 was working fine then it turned it self off and it won't switch on or anything and when I put on charge the apple logo keeps flashing on and off. It

    Lastnight I was just playing away on my iPod and next thing it just went off, it was fully charged and everything. Now it won't come back on and when I plug it into the wall the apple logo just keeps flashing on and off. I have tried to reset it by pressing the on and off button and home button but nothing. How can I get it working again.

    Try:                                               
    - iOS: Not responding or does not turn on           
    - Also try DFU mode after try recovery mode
    How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
    - If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
    - Try another cable              
    - Try on another computer                                                       
    - If still not successful that usually indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
      Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar                              

  • Intel iMac  snow leopard, light flashes on and off 4-5  times

    Light flashes on and off 4-5 times, then the flat dull beep, then the chime, will not boot up after that...
    thoughts
    Appreciate any help

    Hi having the same problem with iMac 17 isight. Will not startup and only the white light flashes on and off. No sound. Removed front cover and tried start and same results, but I could see that the fans would sort of shake as the light flashed. Tried replacing the power supply and the same results. Can't us the AHS application, because the computer can't startup. Anyone with an idea?
    Thanks
    Tsofa

  • How come when i updated my iphone 3gs it froze and now flashes on and off?

    When I tried to update my iphone 3gs verifying upload it froze, and is now flashing on and off. What do I do? It does not connect to a computer either. I WOULD LIKE A REPLY. ASAP!!!

    Hi NWL1,
    Thanks for the question. If I understand correctly, the iPhone won't update and is stuck. I would recommend that you read this article, it may be able to help you resolve or isolate the issue.
    If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
    Have a great day,
    Mario

Maybe you are looking for