Boot up intermittent on PowerMac G5 Dual-Core

I have an older G5 PowerMac Dual 2.0 10.4x and just recently it will not start up. I get an apple on screen and no spinning loading icon below it then the fans start to ramp up. I end up having to do a power down with the power button. Other times the computer starts up just fine. I've zapped the PRAM and failed to start from a 10.3 install disc in which it just hangs when using either the "c" key or selecting the CD as a startup disc in the preferences.
Anyone out there have similar experiences? And what possible solutions?
Thanks for the input.

Might be time to replace the PRAM Battery, 4 years is close to their lifespan, far less if ever without AC power, & can cause strange startup problems...
See which one your G5 has...
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/CR2032/
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/
Another problem is the lead free solder...
If you're sure the RAM is good, try the Hair Dryer trick...
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=13240047#13240047
https://discussions.apple.com/message/15223603#15223603
https://discussions.apple.com/message/15499912#15499912
https://discussions.apple.com/message/15613068#15613068
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3270112
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16053892#16053892
No power light at all...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3692775?tstart=0
It can show on any G5, and even many other computers & electronic devices of the period.
http://www.macintouch.com/reliability/pmg5.html
http://lowendmac.com/ppc/power-macintosh-g5.html
And see this last one in particular...
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16781690#16781690
Heat gun better...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3916312?tstart=0

Similar Messages

Powermac G5 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ or Macbook Pro Dual Core 2.0 GHZ

I have a Macbook Pro Dual Core 2.0 GHZ that currently has 1 GB of RAM in it. For the most part it runs fine, but I do come into problems with it sometimes while I'm doing video editing which is my main usage for my computer. I currently run Final Cut Studio 2. Would it be worth it to sell this computer and get a Powermac G5 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ or 2.3 GHZ and upgrade the RAM to 8 GB to help my video editing run smoother? The reason why I am considering this is because I would like a computer that would work better with my video editing at a cost that I can afford. I also would like to have a firewire 800 port for my external hard drives. I rarely use my internal hard drive, so that is no factor in my decision. Currently I cannot afford a new Mac Pro, but will be buying one in about a year. I'm just trying to decide if this would be a good switch for right now. Thanks for your help.
Message was edited by: hb8788
Message was edited by: hb8788

Although I don't own a Mac Pro, rumor has it that they run video chores significantly more efficiently than do the last generation G5's. I bought my 2.3 GHz, w/the 7800 card, for $600, last November on eBay. The case wasn't cosmetically perfect (a rather nasty looking crimp on the front handle) but it has performed well running my video (EyeTV and recording) and academic (I teach math & Mathematica) needs. I picked-up extra memory (it now has 6 Gigs) pretty cheap (around $75, IIRC), from Kingston. I also took the advice of many here and got a WD 640GB HD that made a significant difference in both boot-time and opening applications. However, if you're going to get a new Mac Pro in a year, it's almost like throwing money away - the G5 will probably have its' depreciation rate decrease once the software vendors no longer continue supporting pre-Intel machines. That being said, my G5 is more than sufficient handling my present version of Mathematica - I don't think that paying $3000, or whatever it takes to get a new Mac Pro, would balance the marginal increase of utility I would get using Mathematica. If I were a video guru, I might feel differently. I thought I could give you a definitive yes, buy the G5, because I really love mine. Unless something happens, I plan on having it for at least a few years. At about $250/year, if one figures that I'll have owned it for a total of 3 years, that's less than 70¢/day. But I also value the opinions of many of the posters who have commented on the new machine's speed, compared to the 2.5 GHz Quad, say.

PowerMac G5 dual core resolution

I'm having problems reaching the native resolution on a 26" Dell W2607C LCD-TV.
Should the factory fitted nvidia 6600LE (PCI Express) be able to support 1366x768 pixels? I've read that the single-link DVI port supports up to 1920x1200.
PowerMac G5 Dual Core 2.0GHz Mac OS X (10.4.3)

been a bit foolish here...
installed switchresx, unable to make custom resolution 1366x768 active. Then realised monitor was connected to DVI-2 so moved it over to DVI-1 and restarted G5. Voila I have a host of new resolutions that fit the bill perfectly.
Just not sure whether it would of worked without switchresx!
Thanks for the advise.

Which is better for Pro Tools LE-PowerMac G5 Dual-Core 2.3Ghz or Dual 2.7Gh

I'm starting a small recording studio and I own a PowerMac G5 Dual-Core 2.3Ghz with 2GB of RAM and a PowerMac G5 Dual 2.7Ghz with 2GB of RAM. I need to keep one of them to run Pro Tools LE. Both G5's have the same hard drives and similar graphics cards..Does anyone know which would do a better job and if so why ??? Thanks..

Hi popped!
You have posted your inquiry, in the Discussions Forum, that is intended for discourse about the use of Apple Discussions.
You will get more attention to your issue, if you select a more appropriate location from this page Discussions Forum Home.
Perhaps posting in one of the Power Mac G4 & G5 Forums, would generate more interest.
Good Luck!
ali b

Video card upgrade for powermac g5 dual core

will the NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT Graphics Upgrade Kit for Mac Pro work with a PowerMac G5 Dual Core?

Unfortunately, no. Although both cards are PCI-Express the difference in the card's ROM (the G5 card needs an Open Firmware compatible ROM, whereas the Mac Pro needs an EFI compatible ROM) make them incompatible.
Assuming you currently have the nVidia GeForce 6600, you could upgrade to either the nVidia 7800GT (was originally a build-to-order option) or ATi's X1900GT. Both are available from OWC and are very similar in speed to each other. Both are considerably faster than the 6600.

Flash a PC Geforce 8400GS 512MB PowerMac G5 Dual-Core 2GHz?

Ok so today I picked up a PowerMac G5 off craigslist (2GHz Dual Core 512MB ram [added 4GB i removed from PC ) so its sitting at 4.5GB of DDR2,). guy thought it was broken and gave it to me for 30 bucks. i put a new battery in it, along with pressing the button next to the PCI-E slots. cleaned it out, and fired it up. came right up. reinstalled Leopard and might i say it FLIES. (im coming from a hackintosh, and already LOVING this).
only problem is the video card is a joke. I have my old Geforce 8400GS 512MB sitting around not being used. I wonder if I would be able to flash it with the G5 rom so I can use it on here? I have googled, and I came up with nothing. thanks for any help!
nick

We see a lot of people here say their "Mac Pro G5" or G5 Mac Pro" and "well they both LOOK the same on the outside!"
Open Firmware was the heart of Power architecture for 1997? until the switch to Intel architecture that was begun even earlier but under wraps.
PCs use BIOS, you won't find EFI or now UEFI, and Apple takes a standard but proprietary implementation.
Which is why you can't even get basic video out except with branded cards that have $100+ premium.
Because Apple used an 8800GT, there were some flashed PC cards, and as long as it was based on the same reference (G92?) and had a large enough ROM, there were some. $200 for flashed 8800GTs on ebay though dried up, too many problems it seems with solder joints and quality as well as over 3 yrs since manufactured.
Even the ATI 1900XT used in some PCI Express G5s was/is different than the ATI X1900 used in early Mac Pro ($449, $250 extra when BTO) even though 1900 and 1950s for PC were out, were half the price, they could not be cross-flashed. There were some PC cards that were to work in Mac Pro, but limited.
Shame that ATI 5770 or 6750 ($170) PC cards can't be used, even if only half the VRAM could be seen.

POwerMac G5 Dual Core vs Dual Processor

Am thinking about upgrading my G4 computers and going to the G5 Powermac. More than likely a dual processor or dual core. What is the difference between the dual processor and dual core? Is there any difference between these re: efficiency and how they work overall?

A "dual processor" refers to two physically distinct and separate chips. A "dual-core" refers to 2 processors on a single chip, often sharing certain resources (eg cache, memory, etc).
As far as I know, the only dual processor G5 Apple currently offers, is the Quad, or 2 dual-cores. The 2 GHz & 2.3 GHz machines, have only a single chip with dual-cores (2 processors on each chip), to the best of my knowledge.
To the best of my knowledge, having separate chips is better whenever possible, than multiple-cores (processors) on a single chip, because multiple cores have to share resources.
However, if you can only have a single chip, multiple-cores (2 processors) are advantages. It won't double your productivity, but should give it least a 40-60% boost. This assumes that the specific software you are running, takes advantage of multiple cores. A lot of software does not take advantage of multiple cores, and having a multiple-core machine is a waste.

Intermittent Behavior PowerMac G4 Dual 500

OK Genii: Here is a real PITA problem...
Symptom: Computer does not boot from cold start. Battery recently changed. PMU reset does not help. System remains in this state for days. Then, for no reason, the machine jumps back to life when the power button is pressed... after days of pressing the power button 2-3 times per day. The system will work for several days, and then stop again.
Looking for anyone's bright ideas. I thought it was the power supply, but I don't think intermittent behavior characterizes a dead power supply. Then I thought it was the power switch itself (but don't know how to bypass it). System has 512 MB RAM and a brand new HD with a clean install of 10.4.11. Who's got the answer?

Thanks for the link and advice, Tom.
None of the characteristics of the article seem to be present with my machine. I will look in to the red light on the motherboard. The machine is running now, so I should be able to see it, and also tell whether or not it is still on when the machine stops working again. I have no intent of buying a PS or MB... I can get a whole machine for a lot less than what most retailers are selling these things for.
Are you aware of a way to bypass the switch?

1 To (2x500 Go) inside PowerMac G5 Dual-Core: RAID 0 ?

Hy,
I would like to know if I must formate my hards disks (2x500 Go) in RAID 0. Which are the advantages of RAID 0 for Final Cut Pro ? Really faster and powerful ? Separate the capture scratch and render files on two differents disks accelerates really the performances of CPF ?
Thank in advance.

I would go with an external SATA enclosure for video. You would notice a huge improvement with 4 or more drives in a RAID 0 for some good action.
Look into Firmtek and Sonnet for their products, they're both really nice. If you're looking to just start out with a 2-drive array look into the Firmtek products, they're affordable and very reliable.
I wouldn't stripe a RAID 0 in the G5 since you need one of those bays to boot with. You can always add an internal drive bracket for additional drives but that has its disadvantages as well.
Good luck.

1 To inside my PowerMac G5 Dual-Core: RAID 0 or not ?

Hello,
I would like to know if I owe formate my hards disks (2x500 Go) in RAID 0. Which are the advantages of RAID 0 for Final Cut Pro ? Really faster and powerful ? Moreover separate the capture scratch and render files on two differents disks accelerates really the performances of CPF ?
Thank in advance.

I have a 2 drive RAID 0 and actually startup off it as well use it for most of my editing. It works very well. I'm using 2 Western Digital 400GB SATA RAID Specific drives (Western Digital RE and Maxtor Maxline 3 drives are designed for RAIDs). The resulting volume is 800GB. My benchmarking utilities place the array's performance at almost exactly 2x the speed of one drive -- about 100MB/s. You will need a 3rd drive with OSX on it to create the volume, however once you've created it, you can just run the OSX installer as normal.
One negative aspect: If one of the drives fails, you will lose a all the data from both drives. With a 1 drive setup, you will only lose only the data on that particular drive, preserving the other drive. Consider a backup solution if you're serious about your work.
Another thing: The drive should be the same size and preferrably the same brand and model if you want to avoid problems.

PCIe Slot Speeds - G5 Dual Core 2.0

Hi Gang
I've been in touch with FirmTek support about a possible conflict - irregularity with regard to a SeriTek/2ME4-E installed in slot number 3.
They're claiming;
"The PowerMac G5 Dual Core PCIe slots 2 and 3 share bandwidth. If you install a fast card in slot 3 and a slower FireWire/USB card in slot 2, the bandwidth of both slots is reduced to the speed of the slowest card. This improper configuration could easily cause the issues you are experiencing."
Unless I'm missing something, according to this diagram, I believe slots 2 & 4 share the same bandwidth? Or it would appear that the MIDDLE PCIe slot is the faster of the two others - yes?
http://www.locationstudio.net/PCIe%20Speeds%20G5%20Dual%20Core.jpg
And here's what I have installed;
http://www.locationstudio.net/Slot-3-PCLe.jpg
I'm still leaning on replacing the SeriTek/2ME4-E with a Multi-Port FW800 card, since my other drives are all connected via FW800. Can't take the chance of having additional data corrupted or deleted.
Thanx for your thoughts
Mike

Another consideration:
The Firmtek controller can accommodate (max with no allowance for overhead) 384 MB/s bandwidth, but a FW800 controller can only accommodate max with no allowance for overhead) 98 MB/s.
As well, with a bit of research on the HyperTransport link which connects the Mid Bridge to the North bridge, I found an interesting comment in a HyperTransport Technology Consortium document which suggests that I/O devices of high latencies (slow) can have a dramatically adverse effect on the overall performance of the bus
A problem relative to...the presence in a system of a very slow I/O device that is the target of posted requests. This situation can cause other registers in the system to experience *large and unpredictable latencies*.
This seems to support the, albeit poorly phrased, claim by Firmtek that the combination of the devices may be the source of the issue.
This is interesting stuff (says the geek in me). More reading.......
Further reading of this document continues to peak my interest and provide further support to the claim from the Firmtek rep:
http://www.hypertransport.org/docs/twgdocs/HTC20031125-0035-0009.pdf
A Ha! Firmtek specs stipulate that the card is PCIe 4x:
http://www.firmtek.com/seritek/seritek-2me4-e/spec/
If I suggested otherwise, my apologies!
Message was edited by: japamac
Message was edited by: japamac

Booting/Crashing Problems with Dual Core 2.3GHz PowerMac

I'm wondering if anybody else is having this problem. ...
I'm having problems booting my new Mac... for the first few weeks everything was fine ... but for the last few of days it often takes 2 or 3 tries to boot to the desktop (it hangs during the boot process) and sometimes when it get there it freezes when I try to launch an app. Rebooting yet again usually solves the problem...
Yesterday after i got it booted it sounded like my disk drive was working for a long time after it was booting the computer was very slow and when i checked CPU usage was very high bit i was not running anything to cause that!
This evening I had to reboot 5 times before I was able to do anything .. and one time the fans kicked into high gear and sounded like a vacuum cleaner!
Once I got it going I opened Mail and checked my new eMails, opened Safari then left the computer for about a half hour and when I got back I had message on my screen saying I had to reboot!
When I got my Mac I immediately ran the full hardware test and it passed... Then I immediately added 2 GB of Crucial RAM and ran the full hardware and memory test yet gain and everything passed...
So it should NOT be a RAM issue.
Has anybody else seen this type of thing and/or has any suggestions on how to fix it or isolate the problem?
Thanks
- karen

Feldspar-
As I'm waiting for for my replacement Dual Core 2.3 G5 to arrive back from Apple, I've been scanning this site to see if there has been any conclusive determination about the underlying problems with the new G5s. So far, I'm sorry to report, I don't see any.
My recomendation to you is to talk directly to apple tech support If you aren't already. Although they may not have a definate solution at this point, you may be able to get a new machine, with more assurrances of it being healthy, than getting your current machine repaired at a service center. You have only 30 days from your purchase date to determine this, and in my case it took a few days working with them to get to the point where all of their tests and trials were done and my machine was classified DOA.
We have paid too much money for a machine that is only as reliable as the amount of time we're willing to spend to get it running after a few (or more)boots. One of the main reasons I've chosen Apple for all these years is that I didn't want to have to learn all of the underlying engineering and programming that make it work. I have always been willing to pay more money for a system that works when you turn it on the first time. I am confident that Apple wants very much to maintain their image of reliablility since much of their competitive edge is the advantage of great looking Apple hardware running their feature packed native software.
I am hoping that we haven't entered a new era with Apple products where my new best friend is going to be the tech guy at the local apple repair center: (not to knock any of them..by the way.)
Although I don't make my living on my cumputer as you do, I depend on my computer throughout my day for information, important financial transactions and comunication. It goes beyond inconvenient to have to send my machine back, for whatever reason. I am writing this on a rock solid G4 933 that has never had a single problem. Have I just been lucky?

Dual-Core G5 won't boot. Flashing Red Light.

Hey Guys, I've got a 2Ghz Dual-Core G5. It's stock other than 2gigs of ram and a SATA Seagate Barracuda in the second drive bay.
Every now and then (on a fairly regular basis) I'll try to boot up the computer, I do hear the fans going but the drives don't spin up as usual, there is no chime and I get a red light behind the front panel of the G5 flashing. It flashes 7 times. After the 7 flashes it just sits there and after about a minute the fans go into airplane taking off mode.
I've been on the phone with AppleCare twice. A PMU reset did (possibly coincidentally) bring the computer back once or twice but has proven ineffective since. Typically I can either try booting the computer 30 times and it eventually works or I'll just leave it alone for a couple hours and it will boot up when I try again.
Resetting the PRAM doesn't work nor does holding option on boot up. This says (at least) to me that the computer doesn't get far enough to even look at the OS, the fault seems to be a hardware issue. The keyboard and mouse never get buss power.
Anyway, as I said it'll usually work eventually but I haven't been able to get the G5 to boot at all for the past 5 hours. Anyone had any similar experience? At this point I'm thinking bad logic board? Any opinions?
Thanks!
2Ghz Dual-Core G5 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Hi, and a Warm Welcome to Apple Discussions and the Power Mac G5 Forum!
Presumably it is one of the red LEDs shown here that is flashing
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302527
The symptoms possibly don't qualify for this - but maybe with some persuasion...
http://www.apple.com/support/powermac/powersupply/repairextension/
You could try the Apple Hardware Test
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/aht.html
or TechTool
https://support.apple.com/techtooldeluxe/main?id=dl
Presumably AppleCare suggested you take it in to the shop...?

Dual Core Center working in Vista but not XP on a dual boot system?

Hi All.
My system specs are:
Dual Boot Windows XP Pro SP2 and Windows Vista Ultimate
Temps for CPU in Vista averaging at 43 - 45 degrees in XP averaging at 38 to 42 degrees. It never seems to go much higher than 53 on Load.
Thermaltake Soprano tower
MSI K9N Diamond Motherboard
Hiper 580watt Modular PSU
4GB OCZ Gold 6400
AMD X2 6000+
2 X 300gb diamond maxtor 10 HDD
MSI Geforce 7800gt
DVD Rom
LG Dual Layer DVDRW+/-
I am running a dual boot system with Windows XP Pro SP2 on one partition and Windows Vista Ultimate on the other. Both operating systems seem to be operating properly except for an odd situation with Dual Core Center. In Windows XP Dual Core Center only indicates the Mainboard properties - No VGA, whereas on Windows Vista Ultimate Dual Core Center indicates both VGA & Motherboard properties. I have installed MSI Nvidia drivers for the Graphics card & also tried straight Nvidia drivers for the card but it has made no difference VGA will not show up in XP. Yet on installing Dual Core Center on the Vista partition VGA showed up immediately. Can anyone help.
If anyone can come up with an answer to this it would be a real help.
Many Thanks in advance.

have you try to update/install the dual core driver from amd?

PowerMac G5 Dual 2.5 - Only Boots with Side Cover and Fan Guard OFF!!

I have the strangest problem with my PowerMac G5 Dual 2.5. This has been my Pro Tools rig forEVER.
At some point early last year, my Mac wouldn't boot. It would not see the hard drive, and would show that dreaded alternating icon in the middle of the screen indicating as much. I tried resetting, tried power off/on, tried resetting PRAM. Nothing. I took the cover off, and fan guard off to get at the hard drive. Verified the data and power cable were seated in hard drive. Cover still off, I booted up the system. Voila!!! Booted right up like nothing was ever wrong. I put the cover back on, and went about my business, passing it off as a one-off power glitch (the power in my house ***** rocks). Next time I rebooted the Mac, the exact same thing happened.
I can repeat this at will. If I leave the cover on, the system will not ever, ever boot. The minute I take the cover and fan guard off, causing the fans to spin at max speed when turned on, the system boots without issue. So, I reset PRAM and PMU. I even tried replacing that green/white cylindrical battery on the motherboard. Reseated power/data cable on hard drive. ****, I even tried a different hard drive and memory (explained below). No change.
Since then, I have relegated this system to the emergency backup system, and procured Dual 2.7 G5 PowerMac. I transferred the pro tools cards, hard drive (without formatting it) and memory (8 GB) to this new 2.7, and have not had a single, solitary issue with it. So, I know it's not the hard drive, memory, OS install, or Pro Tools cards.
What in the name of the Apple Gods could be causing this issue? Any ideas at all?

Hi Chris,
Good info & work so far, but indeed strange, only thing I can think of is something to do with that little switch for the fan cover... near the bottom as I recall, but it may be some kind of short in it's circuit.

Boot up intermittent on PowerMac G5 Dual-Core

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for