PowerMac G5 Freezing

Hey everyone. I've been having some trouble with a Mac in my possession and was hoping for some insight.
Apparently from the first few weeks of use this computer has experienced random lock-ups when running basic programs (Safari, Terminal, iTunes, etc.). It could be sitting idle for a few hours and then freeze, or within the first 2-3 minutes of using Safari, or within a song in iTunes...you get the idea. So I ran through all the regular stuff - checked for and updated system software, looked for firmware updates, and watched the 'top' command from time to time. None of these cleared up the problem. So then I tried a re-install of the OS (originally 10.3.9). This also proved fruitless, as the computer resumed stalling in all the previously mentioned ways. Next, I tried wiping the drive to all zeros and installing OSX 10.4. Once the OS was up, I ran the Software Updater to get all the latest patches. I ran the system for a few minutes in various programs before experiencing yet another freeze. So now I got down to the hardware...
First, I tried running the Apple Hardware Test disc that came with the Mac. I ran a short and long test, both of which passed. I then ran the Long Test on loop for 12.5 hours (12 loops). All passed without incident. The machine stayed running the entire time, never once crashing. Next, I removed the hard drive and zeroed it using a Seagate utility, hoping it was something the Apple software did. Reinstalled, patched...freeze. So I tried a different hard drive in its place. Zeroed it, installed 10.4, patched. Froze again. At this point, I got a bit frustrated. So, I attempted running a Linux PPC LiveCD on the machine. To my surprise, it ran like a champ. I had at least 6 programs running, playing music, browsing the web, running a game, etc. No freezes, no hiccups for 4 hours of use. Booted back into 10.4, and froze within minutes.
So finally, I tried the memory modules. I pulled all four, put them into my PC and ran memtest86. I let this run for about 3.5 hours. No errors reported. So I figured I'd try only plugging so many modules back in, leaving one slot empty. I tried this with all four, with no luck. (Interestingly, when I tried removing the Slot 0 DIMM and starting, the machines power light blinked three times repeatedly. Couldn't get to OSX until I replaced em all and rebooted.)
So, I'm not sure this is a hardware problem, seeing as how Linux PPC ran fine. Although I'm not sure it's not either. Maybe Linux didn't hit a bad segment of memory, processor, etc. I know that probably no one has seen a situation like this, but I've been all over these forums for the past week looking for answers, and coming up short.
Any help you all could provide would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks again!
PowerMac G5 1.6GHz Mac OS X (10.4.9) 1.25 GB RAM, 80GB HDD

So I've tried running the AppleJack utils. It completes and asks to have the machine restarted. Upon getting back into OS X I find that the freeze phenomenon is still present. I was hoping that I could pull the memory modules from my PC and try them in the G5, however I've run into a problem there too. I have 2 1GB DDR400 memory modules (matched) in my PC. The Mac uses 4 modules, 2 512MB DDR333 modules and 2 128MB DDR333 modules. They appear to be set up for dual channel operation. I tried removing all 4 DIMMs from the Mac and placing 1 of my 1GB pieces in Slot 0 of the DDR bank. Upon bootup, the power indicator blinks once with a 1-2 delay before a similar blink. Does the machine require a dual channel setup? Is it complaining because the memory config. has changed? Will the Mac's logic board not accept the DDR400 (i.e. not scale back the memory to operate at DDR333)?
This is one of the last ideas I have for this machine. I'm afraid that soon I may have to have someone from Apple diagnose it to find out if it's a logic board / processor issue. In that instance, how has everyone's experience been with them? Do the techs know whats going on, or is it hit-or-miss?
Thanks again everyone. I appreciate the help.

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Everyone using Powermac Dual or Single may suffer from crashes or freeze suddenly. I would like to draw everyone attention that the cause was merely by USB port behind which we usually attach with Apple Pro Keyboard.
I suffered this for at least 5 months but my Powermac have not join Apple Care after warranty expired and I was headached all along coz' the crash and freeze is abnormal!!! I ran all test using utility but none error found, also doubt if my Kingston RAM incompatible with Powermac and tried many resetting PMU but none can't solve the problem really. So until today I plug out all USB device including APPLE keyboard from behind and let the powermac rendering IDVD and playing MP4 movie at the same times and found out without anythg attached, the system is very stable and seldom heard the crazy noisy fan spinning which we all heard after it freeze or crash.
Then I tried to use the front USB port for keyboard ( with anther USB 2.0 hub with power), then it solved entirely. Coz' I bought a Microsoft notebook wireless mouse attached on Apple keyboard after my mighty mouse got out of order 3 months ago and suddenly one day after it freeze several time and I reboot the PC, the wireless mouse seems very sluggish and I need to use extension cable to connect the USB dongle almost touch with the mouse then it work and I returned the wiremouse to dealer and they found that the dongle was so-how got burnt by unknown reasons. So today I just followed this clue to look out again and what a coincidenc to find an old thread posted in 2005 by someone who pointed the same thgs about the USB port behind the tower connecting Apple keyboard would cause Powermac freeze.
So anyone suffer form this can try out if this way work , if so, plse every one send a complain to Apple.

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Hello,
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OK, I tried all the test on Dr Smokes Page, and this is the same.
I tested even open firmware
set-defaults
reset-nvram
reset-all
It helped me maintaining my mac alive for enough time to copy the panic.log on an usb-key.
So here's the log (sent with the help of a PC!)
Sat Nov 18 15:53:42 2006
panic(cpu 1 caller 0x000A50C8): simple lock (0x0038CFD4) deadlock detection, pc=0x0003D754
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 1:
Backtrace:
0x00095718 0x00095C30 0x0002683C 0x000A50C8 0x0003D754 0x000B4654 0x000ADDD4 0x000AC348
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x20FA5500)
PC=0x00033DE8; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0x01294000; DSISR=0x42000000; LR=0x00033DE8; R1=0x0CF93E30; XCP=0x00000024 (0x900 - Decrementer)
Backtrace:
0x00033D90 0x000A9914
Exception state (sv=0x2094E000)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x00000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x00000000; XCP=0x00000000 (Unknown)
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.7.0: Fri May 26 15:20:53 PDT 2006; root:xnu-792.6.76.obj~1/RELEASE_PPC
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Dear Dgandley,
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Hi,
My powermac g5 freezes if its 5/6 hours on.
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Greetz,
Kevin
Message was edited by: TweakeNL

Hi,
Thnx for the replay!
But the tempreture isnt that high idle it is 57c.
I wanna upload a new picture but the g5 freezed again.
Greetz,
Kevin
Edit:
Here it is: http://www.tweakenl.info/Picture 2.png
But the strange thing is.
I can see now only one CPU :S the other one is gone.
Edit 2:
10 minutes after the first edit.
The pc wont start again :S
I had that before but if i put my finger on the power button.
And then wait i hear a: OAOAOAOAO sound And then the normal macintosh sound: Poing.
And it boots again.
Message was edited by: TweakeNL

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Hello,
I have been having trouble with a Dual 2.7 Powermac
lately (freezing). I did an archive and install from
my OSX 10.4 CD. I also ran disk repair from the
startup cd, and repaired permissions, then ran Yasu
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when this problem started but I do know that I used
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Mac Owners Support Group
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Note: I receive no compensation for product endorsements.

Early 2005 PowerMac G5, System Freezes Randomly.

I've found this to be a tough one.
This Dual Core, 2.0 Ghz G5 is freezing at random times. I'll leave it running over night and the next day it's all locked up with the case fans running on full - apparently it's in open firmware mode - its running on firmware code at this point I think. The problem seems to be hardware related.
Clean OS X.4 install, All latest updates.
It passes the extended hardware Test, no problems.
For me, That narrows it down to just about anything.
I have found no sure way to reproduce the freezing problem and I'm wondering what part to replace first.
This computer is used heavily for editing of large video files.
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Mark
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Mark,
We just went through a problem that sounds very similar to yours. We have a G5 Dual Core 2.3 Mhz machine running 10.4.4. We were getting freezes in photoshop CS2. After weeks of this happening we called Apple, they first had us reset the power manager and run disk utilities from the start up CD. It passes the disk utility. After the call it locked up again. We called a second time and they had us repair permissions on the hard drive and reset the NVRam and openfirmware. They also had us run the Apple Hardware test and that passed. The computer locked again. We called a third time and they had us create a new user and install the Photoshop in that new user account. The machine locked again. We called again and the tech said it was probably either the logic board or processor. I called the local apple store and brought it to the store. One thing that we found is that in photoshop it might take a few hours before it would lock up, but if we put in some sort of video game like Battle field 1942 it usually froze in under 10 minutes. At the store the tech put a program on the computer that is suppose to tax the processor, after 15 minutes with 20 or so programs running at full speed and doing all sorts of tasks it was still running smooth. I asked the tech if he minded if I played my video game and he said not at all, with in 6 minutes it locked solid. I opted to by a $99 procare card that jumped me to the head of the repair line, the next day they called me and said that they replaced the processor and they thought the problem was solved. I went to the store with my game and played there for a half hour and everything seemed fine. I brought the machine back to work and so far so good. If you have apple care on the machine, I suggest you find a game and head to your local apple store. The processor was $1015 and the repair was $135, but we had apple care and didn't pay anything.
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To make thins more confusing, my drive doesn't doesn't freeze if I transfer the data over the USB 1.1 port on my computer. It transferred all my data flawlessly.
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Pat:
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Tiger Direct
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Gary
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Powermac g5 dual 2.0 fans run too slow, overheats the freezes.

My G5 processor fans seem to always run at the same speed, 300-345 rpm. I know this deviates from the common fan over- revving issue with powermacs but recently it now will freeze up and I get the grayed out curtain telling me to power off with the power button. I've monitored the temps and noticed that when running multiple apps or just one like Aperture the temps begin to increase and when they reach 145-148ºF it freezes up. I've repaired permissions, reset PMU but nothing. Is there any way to adjust or rest fan control in console or is there an aftermarket auxiliary fan I can use to provide better cooling? Oh, yes I've vacuumed and blew out any dust on the processors.
Thanks
Pete

Robbert,
Thanks for your reply. I decided to try a fix to cool the processor temps and it seems to have worked albeit rather unconventional and honestly after dealing for over a year with an out of control dual 2.7 (my previous computer) until it just self destructed, I really had nothing to lose. I went to Walmart, bought a $15.00 3 speed fan which interestingly is same color as the powermac and is a cylinder type with two exhaust outlets that cover the entire motherboard height. Removed the clear plastic air deflector but covered a piece of paper with aluminum foil and inserted it into the tab slot to fool the computer. Opened CS3, Aperture & Corel paint. Temps quickly went to 137+. Turned on the fan to high and saw temps drop to 120º. Opened several more apps to try to cook the processor but highest temp was 125, Kept running all apps for hours and no shut down. When just running Aperture I turn fan to low. I have not been able to run Aperture for more than a few minutes fro months so this to me is great. I also noticed that when I just removed the air deflector temps went down about 4º. As I said I had nothing to lose and I think it's an accepted fact that a majority of powermacs had/have serious cooling issues. I'm happy.

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