Power Mac G5 Dual 1.8 Problems / Failed Logic Board?

Question

Okay, it seems that many other people are having problems with the Power Mac G5. All I can really say to Apple is that I love Macintosh and the Power Mac G5 has been the greatest computer I have ever owned. It seems that the logic board is the main issue for most people. Maybe Apple still needs to work out some bugs, but one thing for sure is that it would really be nice if there were no more produced like this and that everyone gets their problems solved without going through it again.
Well, my G5 stopped working about a month ago. I've been really lonely and sad too... It started that the computer would randomly start, meaning that I would have to power it up and down several times until it randomly start. Other people have had these issues too. And after about 2 days of doing this it froze and now it refuses to start. I've done everything I possibly can without being a technician. I have two video cards and switching them dosen't help, my monitor works, and when I take out the ram there's no beeping. No power to keyboard or mouse, can't reset firmware, or reinstall OS or run hardware test. I reset PMU, but still no luck. I've tested both my Superdrive and Hard Drive. They both work. I have a friend with a G5 and I put my Hard Drive in and it booted up perfectly.
Fans are functional, they speed up after about five minutes with no chime at start up. Which the chime is supposed to indicate a hardware failure. My only clues are the logic board and the processors, possibly the power board. Though it seems to be the logic board most of the time. The big thing is, does Apple know what's causing this to happen to Apple fans and costumers?
I saw an earlier post with a guy who bought the same G5 a year and a half ago with three year warranty and had the logic board replaced-three times already!!!
Unfortunately my G5 is out of warranty. I bought it from CompUSA and someone had boughten it and decided to return, unused still. They gave me a the 3-year warranty extension program, but I could never activate it. I've had the computer about a year and a half myself. I bought it early June last year June 2004. But this was right before the new line-up came out. So it's the November 2003 model. It's ecspecially depressing that a week or two later I could of gotten it for $500 dollars cheaper and a newer model. Not to also mention the beautiful new Apple Cinema Displays that match the G5. Though I doubt that Apple with have any sympathy for me for not waiting a little longer. I love my G5 and I just want to hear the chime and watch my 20" Apple ADC Display turn on. I don't live anywhere close the any Apple Stores to take it in for diagnostics.
So I'm really in a tunnel of doom. I'm thinking of buying the logic board from mac-pro.com for $700. I heard Apple wants a $1000, but I don't know. Though driving it in to the Apple store isn't gonna be easy for me. Even so, I'm afraid of how costly it will be. I need to know what's defective and needs replacement more than anything. I only wish there was some way I could activate my 3-year warranty extension program. Well, I suppose that's really enough of my pitiful crying.
Does Apple or anyone care to help me? I would be forever so happy if I could get my G5 working again. Thanks to anyone who'll attempt to help. You too Apple.

Answer 1

Hey Everyone -
Have you looked into the iMac G5 repair exstension Program for video and power issues? Posted on Apples website....The iMac G5 repair extension program for video and power issues applies to the first generation G5 computers that have video or power-related issues as a result of specific component failure. If your iMac G5 is exhibiting any of following symptoms: scrambled or discorted video, no video, no power, your computer may be leigible for repair, free of charge. This article was posted on October 21, 2005.
My computer was freezing up, not booting up, locking on the blue page, static looking when trying to boot up, etc. I took it in to the Apple Store yesterday, and they will be replacing the board within the next 2 weeks. Although my have an extended warrenty, the replacement program is avaliable for certain first generation iMac G5 models that were sold between approximatrely September 2004 and June 2005 freaturing 17- and 20-inch displays with 1.6GHz and 1.8Ghz processors.
If Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider determines that your iMac G5 computer is eligible as part of the program, the repair will be covered by Apple for up to two years from the original date of purchase even if your iMac G5 is out of warrenty. This is a worldwide Apple program.
It's worth looking up the article, it list the serial number ranges that apply. Worth a look!