Mdd power supply revisited

Hi
I just got a classroom donation of a dual 1 ghz without a power supply. I am not going to use an ADC driven monitor but instead use a reflashed 6800gs. So I don't think I need the +28 v rail. It is clear that
what is left on the market for OEM is both overpriced and underpowered. Does anyone have a link for a clear direction set for adapting any ATX supplies that are still sold new? Also does anyone know where you can buy an inexpensive copper heat sink for this model?
Ty

Hi-
Use this Motherboard connector chart to mod the ATX connection as needed. Biggest hurdle is getting the ATX PSU into the MDD case-different form factor. Could gut the MDD and put it all into a PC case like this Sawtooth owner did. In the end you'll have less money (and effort) if you buy a MDD PSU......
For the heatsink, watch eBay, Craigs list or LEM.

Similar Messages

PMG4 MDD Power Supply dead? Where can I get one?

Does anyone know of another source for the PMG4 MDD Power Supply? When I press the power button to turn it on, nothing happens. Yes, I have reset the PMU, replaced the battery, left it unplugged overnight, and still nothing at all, no lights noises or anything.
I think it's the power supply, and my Apple Authorized Service Center says they haven't been able to get a power supply for over a month now.
Is there a shortage of the Samsung Power Supplies for this?
Thanks,
Jay

Thanks for the help. After calling my Apple Authorized Service Center asking what the ETA was, they told me to call 1-800-MYAPPLE and ask about the status of the Power Supply they ordered on April 24th. I called Apple yesterday, and today I got a call that the Power Supply was being shipped out today.
Not sure where the bottleneck was (Apple, AASS, etc.) but it took over a month for one to get shipped out, when the MDD G4 that blew a PS last month had one replaced in 2 days.
I am speculating that these Power Supplies have been failing at an abnormally high rate lately, and are out of production. Of course, that is just a guess.
Hopefully someone out there benefits from my info here.
Thanks,
Jay

Buy MDD power supply from Apple

I just found a link suggesting that you can buy a new MDD power supply from Apple. I had tried clicking on their parts link but it just takes me round and round. Can you buy one online or do you have to call them up?

As an original owner of a G4 MDD DP1.0GHz, AND having MISSED the power supply recall/exchange for the "VERY NOISY" Fan and power-supply combo, I am wondering if this will take me half-way, or all the way to where I would be if I hadn't missed that opportunity?
Sorry if this is confusing... in other words, will this solve my "Noise" problem that I've had ever since I bought the machine in 2002?

Mdd power supply price?

Anyone happen to run across a good price on a new mdd power supply. The best I have found so far is 199 with exchange plus shipping. Hoping for cheaper.

HEHE I don't think mine is fixable now. I put a oversized fuse in it to see if I could get it to run just long enough to check if everything else was working and when I plugged it in it popped so loud that I about had a heart attack.

MDD power supply and fan upgrade kit question.

Hello, Its been a few years since I posted anything here and I'm getting ready to (possibly) trade in my mirror drive door 1GHZ dual processor machine on one of the current imac-s.
I'm not real hopeful that putting much work into my current machine is worth it. Here's why:
1) crazy levels of noise - I wear woodworking hearing protectors when I surf the web. Listening to music on itunes is fine so long as you like a background of low level blow dryer noise!
2) I'm still running OSX version 10.2.8, I have been too cheap to buy the latest OS. I'm tempted to go out and spend the $119 on 10.5 but I only have the original 256mb of ram installed and since the min requirement of ram is 512, I know I'll need to spend an extra ~50$ on a 512mb PC2700 ram chip. My price tag to do a minimal update is rising...
3) I would love to neutralize the noise and install the Apple provided MDD power supply and fan retrofit kit that they sent me at no charge several years ago while I was still under warranty. But I never did because the tech at my local (Dayton Ohio) reseller told me that the kit only addressed high noise levels when rebooting in OS9. So I never bothered. Looking on ebay, I see where power supplies for G4's could fetch 75 or 100$ or so.
In summary, here are my questions.
1) Has anything come along recently to tame MDD G4 fan noise that is easy to install, cost-effective and most of all, something that actually works to decrease the noise?
2) To get the quietest, quickest performance with the current OS 10.5 should I cut my losses now and trade (or sell on ebay) my MDD, sell the new power supply and just purchase a new machine with the OS already installed?
Thanks a bunch in advance for any assistance...
from Bill.

Bill,
Carl has some pretty good points that I'd agree with - trying the replacement PSU and fans should quiet it down somewhat and replacing the stock main fan with a newer, quieter unit will also help. But I'm going to disagree with him on running Leopard on the G4's with a few reservations.
As you might notice from my profile, I'm running Leopard on my dual-867 MDD and find the performance acceptable; perhaps a little slower than Tiger in some respects but it does run well enough within the limitations of the G4's capabilities. The reservation I have about recommending Leopard on a G4 is the graphics card - without Core Image support (which you won't have unless you upgrade the video card) Leopard is going to tax the CPU more and may bog down in some tasks like Quick Look and Cover Flow.
In the end, whether to continue upgrading the G4 is a matter of use and economics. Tiger would be a fine upgrade with minimal cost and squeeze a few more years out of your G4 if you're not requiring software that needs an Intel CPU (like certain iLife '08 apps).
-Douggo

Correct part number for G4 MDD power supply

I am in the process of replacing my old Power Mac G4/350 with a G4 MDD 1.0 ghz DP.
The power supply is missing from the MDD unit. Does anyone know what the correct
part number for this power supply?

http://natramelec.com/g4powersupply/
Part Number: 661-2816, 661-2816-R, 661-2725
Manufacturer part: API1PC36
Apple assembly: 614-0224, 614-0183
Product EEE Code: NS3, P0V, P0W
http://www.welovemacs.com/6612816r.html

Power Mac G4 MDD power supply unit/RAM

Hello,
I just bought a used Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors) at a garage sale for $20. The owner said it works, but he took out the RAM, power supply unit and hard drive.
I would like to place an order for the RAM and power supply unit but I am not sure how I differentiate which power supply unit to purchase. When I try to look it up all I find it is that it had gods gift to worst ever power supply unit in the history of power supply units. It was the loudest most obnoxious fan set up or something of the sort.
Well bottom line I need to get a few replacement parts for the old G4 desktop and was hoping that some experienced mac hardware person could point me in the right direction. I am comfortable replacing parts I am just not certain what I need to purchase to install.
Does anybody know of any good 3rd party hardware that they could suggest for a replacement part?
Power Mac G4
Designed by Apple in California
Model No.: M8570 EMC No.:1914
Thank you very much :]
(I am pretty sure I posted this in the right subcategory, sorry if I did not.)
None of these model numbers match, but it everything I research says it was from this generation of G4’s. How can I 100% tell which one is the model I have?

I just finished rebuilding my MDD (FW800). As for finding specific parts for your machine, be sure you have the model number, or are able to differentiate between the models. That being said, most of the case parts are interchangeable. Problems can occur when swapping processors and failing to use the proper heat sink for that processor.
The best place (price wise versus availability) that I've found for MDD power supplies is on eBay. However, be aware that you will probably be getting it used. So either ask the seller if they will guarantee it for a specified period of time, or buy it from a seller that offers a guarantee (normally 30 days). If you get one that lasts for 30 days without any problems you've probably got a good one. Price is normally around $140 + shipping.
Another avenue is to try shopping the web (Google) for what you need. There are a number of great websites that carry what you may need, or maybe are looking for. Some of those to checkout are:
www.applecomponents.com
www.otherworldcomputing.com
xlr8yourmac.com
www.lowendmac.com
Additionally there are a number of case and power supply mods that can be done to quiet down the MDD. Apple doesn't necessarily endorse these mods, as they deal with changing power supply cooling fans, and/or the processor/case cooling fans. However, if your MDD is out of warranty, you practice safe electrical/static work practices as you're working, and you're willing to accept any negative consequences should those mods either not work properly or they happen to result in damage to other components, then do what you feel is appropriate.
As for telling exactly which model you have, and how it was originally configured when it shipped from Apple, research the serial number through this Apple website. Another way is to check the model number of the motherboard. This is located near the PCI slots, by the modem connection. It will have a number something like 820-1453-A, or 820-1500-A. Cross referencing these through Google can help tell which motherboard you have. As for the processor, you'll need to carefully remove the heartsink (5 screws) and look at the chip(s) itself. If there are two chips it's a dual processor, and if only one it's a single (Duh!). Then locate the small white sticker that's stuck to the processor card for the processor's info. It should tell you what you need to know about it. You can also look at the info inscribed on the face of each processor chip.
Important Note: Be very careful, and wear a grounding wristband at all times when when working on the inside, or handling any computer components. This is particularly true when handling the processor card, and here's why. Any static shock from you to the motherboard or to the processor could severely damage or destroy that component.
Here's another link to way of quieting the MDD.
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/g4mirrored_drive_doors/noise_reduction/g4_ddr_noisereduction.html
Anyway, I hope these help you find what you need. Be careful!!
kudzu48

MDD power supply issues

Good evening.
There seem to be more frequent power supply issues with the MDD than with other models of G4 desktops.
Is there a reason for this?
Thanks for your time.

Hi Glen-
I see more Power Supply failure postings here than on any other Older Mac discussion. I think the accommodations made for heat are simply not enough for these hot dual-processor Macs.
The huge processor fan keeps the processor module from melting, but does not effectively dispose of all of that hot air. Some of It filters up through the cabinet and the PCI slot cards add even more. The perforated slot covers allow a little air movement, but not enough to release the heat generated. Any hot air that makes it to the top of the case gets sucked out through the power supply -- and that cannot be doing it any favors.
In contemplating adding a Core-Image qualified display card, I took a hard look at adding a hot display card (that requires an additional power connector) to the SCSI card already in place, and decided more cooling was in order. I am currently experimenting with a thermistor-controlled slot fan (up to 45 cfm) exhausting out through the top slot, with its inlet facing UP, and all solid slot covers in place of any remaining perforated ones.
My first measurement of exit temperatures showed the air coming out the slot cooler was almost ten degrees cooler than the power supply exit air, so I think I am doing something. Whether it is enough to run all this hot gear without cooking the power supply remains to be seen.
I do not think it is an accident that when the dual G5 cabinets were designed, processor control of multiple flow-through cooling zones was the way they chose to make it work. I think the whole dual G4 cabinet got so hot inside the engineers were caught off-guard, and had to resort to drastic measures to keep G5s from dying (like the MDD G4 did). Then Steve announces that he can't take the heat (for the processing power available) and Apple will switch to Intel (because they are so cool).

How to test if MDD power supply is bad or it's Something Else

Ok,
I've had a MDD for 4 years. Dec 2007 the PSU died. I had it replaced under my renter's policy (yeah..) the new rev. part was $870!. I Didn't care... insurance paid for the repair.
Now, after 1.5 years, I was having disk corruption issues which led to numerous forced shutdowns (no reset button on the MD) finally, after about 5 of these in one day, the power on light lit when pressed, and I heard a crackle & smelled a a bit of smoke. I pulled the power cord immediately.
btw pressing the power button now did nothing at all, no "fan attempts" no crackle.. nothing.
Same deal, I called the ins co, took MDD to the authorized techs, who checked & said the PSU was dead... again.
The Ins Co. is "totaling" the MDD and I'm looking for a used G5.
BUT! I'd love to get the MDD working again. Just to have it as a second machine.
I've read a bunch of threads here on this issue & testing the PSU.
I'm not a super geek, but I can follow instructions... which I did. There's a great online instruction set with pics and all, about how a guy found a bad solder by disassembling the PSU.
I followed it step by step. Saw nothing remarkable.
Then I came here looking for steps to test the PSU (I'm starting to wonder if it's more than that).
I found a diagram of the pins and voltages.
Connected the PSU the the juice and started testing the connector, where it plugs into the motherboard.
Here's what I found (connected to power but obviously still not starting the computer):
Pin 1 (says +5volts sb, which I assume means stand by?) with the black lead from the tester inserted into pin 2 (gnd). It read 5 Volts.
No other pins showed ANY voltage EXCEPT pin 14 (which says +25Vsb). That read +24.8V when tested.
What I DON'T know is...
If disconnected from the MDD, should all the pins read voltage as the pinout diagram says? I'm brand new to this level of diagnosis.
I'm wondering if maybe the CPU fried etc.
Also, while trying to determine if the power button might be faulty I broke the switch off (duhh). Shorting across the two stubs that were left there didn't produce any powerup either (it's just a 2 pin contact switch right?)
So I need to know if I have accurately found the PSU to be bad. I can get one on ebay for $150-ish.
But I'm worried, since this was a +*new super better PSU*+ and it (possibly) has died, maybe something on the motherboard etc. isn't right.
The machine hasn't been connected to power for 3 weeks & yes, the battery is now dead. I swapped it out, and reconnected the PSU... nothing.
+*So first, did I correctly test the psu?*+
there was a dead link to a MDD repair manual on another thread. First I have to figure out IF the psu is dead, and then decide if something else KILLED it.
Help? I'm using wife's G4 and she's getting real PO'd after 3 weeks!
Thanks to anyone in advance.
Tom

Hi,
Thanks. By power button board, Do you mean the unit that has the power button on it? On the case front?
If so, I mentioned the switch broke while I was testing. I guess to continue I have to get a new switch.
I will pull the mini-board for the power button though to look for signs of damage.
Can I get a new switch to solder on to the board, if the board looks good. The orig. switch physically broke off the board. It's a standard contact switch correct? i.e. press and there should be continuity between the two pins? I'll pull the board as well.
I've already checked the PSU interior. No burnt wires visible anywhere. There's a lot of grey goo glue used so it's hard to see, but since the PSU passed the two passive power tests you mentioned, are we for now assuming it is a good PSU?
Other discussions I've read, describe continuing to test different pins and look for appropriate voltages. That doesn't make sense to me with the computer not starting up.
Aren't the rest of the voltages supposed to show ONLY after the command to supply startup power is given (by the power switch)?
Processor "looks" good too, no signs of burnt anything after pulling the heat sink, but I haven't removed the logic board or the mother board yet to look underneath.

MDD power supply compatibility

I have a MDD dual 867 G4 tower, which I believe was the first model of the MDDs.
Can I swap in a powersupply from a newer MDD dual 1.25 tower?
I am just wondering so I know for certain that the pin outs and voltage isn't going to fry my motherboard.

Should be fine, but compare the pinouts to the only MDD PSU listed here...
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/tips/MDD_ps_mods/MDD_PS_Mods.html
Also only one listed on converting ATX PSU for use in an MDD...
http://atxg4.com/mdd.html
(Trying not to just go by my failing memory that tells me they all were the same.)

MDD refurbed power supply

Hi all.Just wondering if anyone had/has any experience with these refurbished power supply's: I'm getting a used MDD 1.25 dual and would like to get it as new as possible,so any info on these,or a link to a more reputable source,would be appreciated,thanks!

I did indeed take the cover off and look to see what looked new inside. It appeared to me to be mainly capacitors that looked new. The inside was indeed clean, whereas power supplies inside machines that had been "parted-out" would be dusty inside.
Generally, these PSs for G4 MDD have had issues with noisy fans and faulty capacitors in the past. In addition to the Apple service manual, which has nice instructions on getting the power supply out of the case, here is a nice set of photos and instructions on how one guy repaired his G4 MDD power supply. If you check Youtube, you may also find how-to videos people have posted.
As for eBay, a lot of people are selling parts from used G4 MDDs, one piece at a time, with little or no testing of the part itself. Only a few seem to be full time electronics technicians who actually repair the power supplies and then sell them. One even gives a refund of maybe $40 if you send him back your broken PS. If you're in the market for a power supply, I'd try to stick to one of those technician sellers on eBay, since good ones will give a warranty with the PS.
I've repaired 4 G4 MDDs over the years from parts on eBay, and gotten them all back up and running just fine. Generally, for motherboards and CPU cards, if the machine they were pulled from was working fine, then they should be OK (if the part is handled correctly. I've been lucky, the ones I've bought have all worked.
Good luck!
Ed

Power supply in MDD dual 867 shot?

I arrived home today to find that my Dual 867 G4 was powered down, though I had left it on when I left this afternoon. Not only that, but it won't turn on at all - the power button doesn't light up, there's no spinning of the disks, no chime, nothing. I've unplugged and re-plugged the power cord, switched out surge protectors, plugged it directly into the wall socket - no dice. One thing I did notice, though, is that when I plugged the power cord into the back of the G4 after I had disconnected it, I hear a very faint and periodic short noise, maybe every one second, from the back of the G4. Almost like a short buzzing noise, but too quiet and brief to really be called that.
Does this sound like the power supply is shot? Like it's shorted or burnt out in some way? Thankfully I have two iBooks to use in the meantime, but most of my daily used files and such are on the 4 hard drives in the G4, and there's no space for them (particularly my music) on either of these laptops.
If I do need a new powersupply, does anyone have recommendations for sources? It seems sellers on ebay want the sell them for over $100.
Thanks,
Anthony

Hi,
Yes, that does sound like a power supply issue. It could also be a bad CPU card, or even the motherboard. To isolate the problem, I'd take out the power supply and measure the voltages across the different pairs of wires in the plug that feeds the motherboard. If the voltages don't equal what they should, as per the G4 MDD service manual, then you're in the market for a new power supply. And yes, the ones on eBay will go for 100-150 or so. Make sure it's stated to come from a working system. Untested power supplies could be dead ones from a similar dead machines.
If the power supply voltages are OK, then to isolate whether or not the motherboard, or CPU card is bad will require a spare motherboard, or CPU card, to swap with yours.
Sources for new, or rebuilt, power supplies include WeLoveMacs , DVwarehouse, HarCoreMacs , among many others.
Here is a good set of pictures and step-by-step instructions on taking the MDD power supply apart.
In my case, I had a spare motherboard and power supply to test with. The machine, which I got cheap off of eBay because it didn't work, did not turn on at all. Swapping first the Power supply with a good one didn't bring it back to life. Turns out the CPU card and the power supply were both bad. Once both were replaced, the MDD machine has worked fine.
Good luck!
Ed

G4 power supply

I have a Power Mac G4 (mirrored doors) that won't start; the fan doesn't spin, so I suspect the power supply died.
Does anyone have suggestions about where to buy one? Does it have to be an Apple power supply?

Here's some info on Apple's power supplies for MDD models.
Description:     PowerMac G4 Mirror Drive Doors MDD power supply
Apple part no:     614-0224, 614-0183, 661-2725, 661-2816, 661-2725
Apple description:     Power Supply, w/ PFC
Type:     Desktop
Identification:     24pin connection
AcBel API1PC36 400w
Samsung PSCF401601B 360W 614-0224
Family:     M8570, MDD
Part type:     Power supply
Compatability:
PowerMac G4 MDD 867Mhz Dual -- DTG4MD867DMD
PowerMac G4 MDD 1Ghz (FW800) -- DTG4MDG10SF8
PowerMac G4 MDD 1Ghz Dual -- DTG4MDG10DMD
PowerMac G4 MDD 1.25Ghz -- DTG4MDG12SM3
PowerMac G4 MDD 1.25Ghz Dual (FW800) -- DTG4MDG12DF8
PowerMac G4 MDD 1.25Ghz Dual -- DTG4MDG12DMD
PowerMac G4 MDD 1.42Ghz Dual (FW800) -- DTG4MDG14DF8
Look at these links.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/11276529?messageID=11276529#11276529?messa geID=11276529
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2194338?start=0&tstart=0
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1822320?start=0&tstart=0
http://www.applefritter.com/node/23857
http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/2625/DIY+Power+Supply+repair
http://www.olinevideo.com.au/page14.htm
 Cheers, Tom
Power Mac G4: Computer Does Not Power On, No Fan Movement
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=95038
Message was edited by: Texas Mac Man

Want references for using ATX power supply with MDD.

There are references all over the place to adapting an ATX power supply for a MDD/FW800. But it would be nice to have links to as many useful ones as possible in one thread -- this one -- without too much superfluous verbiage.
Please post links with brief descriptive comments or, if you have some hard information that's not easily linked to, please post it as concisely as possible. Hopefully, the resulting thread will be useful to many people, and not just to me.

Watch these great YouTube videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xICg592xJTg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7RDGy34tjU&feature=fvw
Look at these links.
http://efeion.blogspot.com/2007/12/power-supply-fun-part-2.html
http://www.applefritter.com/node/23857
 Cheers, Tom

G4 MDD won't power on...tried all the basics....is it the power supply?

Put a new battery in, unplugged-replugged, depressed PMU reset...said a couple incantations...nothin....not a spark. How certain can I be that it's the power supply? If it is that, where can I get another one, and are they costly...how hard to install?

Japamac's MDD PSU test page:
http://www.jcsenterprises.com/Japamacs_Page/Blog/D275729F-09DA-4FBB-96B3-BEEEB2C 04619.html
They can be costly. $100 or so used on eBay. Not very difficult to install, though.
An interesting ATX mod using the MDD's PSU case:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEzbl3eJIro

Mdd power supply revisited

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