Mac Specs: PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0Ghz, 250GB Hard Drive, 4GB RAM, GeForce FX5200, iPhone 3G 8GB
Power Mac - G5 Randomly Powers Down
I bought a used PowerMac G5 about a month and a half ago and in the last week, the system has started turning itself off. I tried searching for a solution on the forum and found nothing that was similar to my problem. I searched the web and found a few random issues. I tried reseting the PRAM and it seems to help for a few hours, then it turns off. If I turn the system back on without a reset, it will last about 10 minutes or so. Is there a part I have to replace or is this a major issue that is not fixable? I have the dual 2.0Ghz G5 which I believe is the late 2004 model.
Mac Specs: Dual Core 2.3GHz G5 OS X.5.8 8GB DDR2 RAM
Trust you received the system restore discs with the machine as it sounds like you have a serious hardware/heating problem.
If so pop in disc one, reboot and hold down the option key, and go to Apple Hardware Test and run the full test program. If you do not have the discs, give Apple a ring and see if you can purchase a replacement set. Have handy the model, processor size and serial number
Mac Specs: PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0Ghz, 250GB Hard Drive, 4GB RAM, GeForce FX5200, iPhone 3G 8GB
The fans sound normal, light hum and every once and a while I'll hear the fans rev up, but it seems to be normal, like if I'm loading a program or something. I downloaded the program and I will post results when I'm finished.
As for the Apple Hardware Test, I will contact Apple about getting this because I no longer have the discs.
Last edited by kevinc5680; 09-28-2009 at 08:42 PM.
Reason: Forgot to add additional detail.
Mac Specs: PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0Ghz, 250GB Hard Drive, 4GB RAM, GeForce FX5200, iPhone 3G 8GB
Yeah it's random. Once thing I read online was to plug it directly into the wall instead of the power surge protector. Said something about the tower may not be getting enough power. So far so good. My temp is hovering around 43C right now, only hits 45/46C when I'm doing a lot on the system. Definitely by now it would have turned off so we'll see. I'm not going to hold my breath.
Yeah it's random. Once thing I read online was to plug it directly into the wall instead of the power surge protector. Said something about the tower may not be getting enough power. So far so good. My temp is hovering around 43C right now, only hits 45/46C when I'm doing a lot on the system. Definitely by now it would have turned off so we'll see. I'm not going to hold my breath.
Well I guess the whole surge protector idea may make some sense...but then that means that your surge protector is faulty...which of course is better than your G5 being busted!
Again, good luck,
- Nick
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Mac Specs: Dual Core 2.3GHz G5 OS X.5.8 8GB DDR2 RAM
Download and install a widget called iStat Pro which will keep an eye on all those temperature and usage details. Try it and if you like it, and sure you will, remember it is donationware and the developer would appreciate say $5-10 for his work:-
Mac Specs: PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0Ghz, 250GB Hard Drive, 4GB RAM, GeForce FX5200, iPhone 3G 8GB
My temperature upon boot was 81F for cpu A and 76F for cpu B. My computer didn't crash yesterday and I used it for about four hours during the Cowboys game. The highest temperature it reached was 115F for both processors and that was right before I shut down and it seemed to be hovering in that area most of the night.
My temperature upon boot was 81F for cpu A and 76F for cpu B. My computer didn't crash yesterday and I used it for about four hours during the Cowboys game. The highest temperature it reached was 115F for both processors and that was right before I shut down and it seemed to be hovering in that area most of the night.
Sounds like things are running better without the surge protector. Now if you really wanted to abuse yourself...you could plug your G5 back into the surge protector & see if the computer powers down!
Hopefully things have stabilized,
- Nick
__________________
Don't forget to use the reputation system.
Mac Specs: PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0Ghz, 250GB Hard Drive, 4GB RAM, GeForce FX5200, iPhone 3G 8GB
I figured I would continue to update this thread for anyone else who may have a similar problem. So I think I've determined that it is not an overheat issue because I started shutting down my PowerMac when I went to work instead of putting it to sleep. The other day, I came home from work and when I turned on the PowerMac, less than five seconds later it turned off. I tried this three times and the same thing happened. I reset the SMU or VMU, whatever that button is and it worked fine.
So I started playing back everything in my head since I got this computer a few months back. For the first month/month and a half, I never had a problem. I would play video games on it for hours at a time and no overheating, no shut offs. Then the random power downs started. What did I do differently?
Well after going over everything, I determined the only thing I changed was from my Apple keyboard to a Microsoft keyboard. I did this because the cord was longer and easier for me to have the keyboard at longer lengths from the tower (obviously). Well since I've used this keyboard, I've had the power down issues. Four days ago, I switched back to the apple keyboard and I have not had one issue. This is probably the longest the system has gone without a crash since I started having the issue. Could this be the problem or coincidence?
Mac Specs: Dual Core 2.3GHz G5 OS X.5.8 8GB DDR2 RAM
Problem I guess. If the KB cable is a little short you have to use the Apple extender which is a special lead and not an ordinary USB cable. This is what it is and they are very reasonably priced:-
