Powermac G4 - Boot Problems

Venjin · Venjin #1 (**permalink**)

01-23-2010, 02:04 PM

I apologize if this topic has come up a lot, but I have an issue with my Powermac g4

The problem is that when i press the power button, the power light flashes on then goes off. The machine tries to boot up, but the screen remains black. The fans turn on, but nothing else happens. The machine stay will on and the fans running until I press and hold the power button to turn it off.

Not sure what the problem could be or how to fix this.

I believe I have Leopard OS on this machine, if thats a contributing factor.

Thanks!

hughvane · hughvane #2 (**permalink**)

01-23-2010, 04:01 PM

Firstly, welcome to the forums.

You're right, this topic has appeared a lot, but it's not always easy to find the posts.
Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM

It ALWAYS helps to post the model and specs of your machine so experienced users can relate their experience in fixing the problem. There are 10 models of G4 PwrMac, which one do you have?

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #3 (**permalink**)

01-23-2010, 04:02 PM

Try resetting the Power Management Unit, or CUDA as set out below:-

Resetting Cuda/PMU on Power Mac G5, Power Mac G4, Power Macintosh G3

Venjin · Venjin #4 (**permalink**)

01-23-2010, 05:30 PM

Thanks for the quick responses!

I tried resetting the PMU, to no avail unfortunately.

I am unsure exactly which model I have, since I cant turn it on. I do know its 1Ghz Dual and it has the mirrored doors.

The video card is by ATI

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #5 (**permalink**)

01-23-2010, 05:37 PM

It dioes happen at times MDD models will not boot with a flat PRAM battery.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #6 (**permalink**)

01-23-2010, 05:40 PM

Just a hunch. Do you have a voltmeter there of any kind? If so check the PRAM battery. Should measure 3.6 Volts or close. Seen many G4 system that would not boot if that battery was dead.

Venjin · Venjin #7 (**permalink**)

01-24-2010, 12:34 PM

I dont have a way to measure the voltage in the PRAM's Battery

Assuming it is the PRAM battery, is that an easy or cheap fix?

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #8 (**permalink**)

01-24-2010, 12:38 PM

Radio Shack can order them and some stores might have it in stock. You can find them cheap on Ebay. Do a search for Mac PRAM battery and see what you find.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #9 (**permalink**)

01-24-2010, 03:53 PM

There she be:-

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer...gy/BAA36VPRAM/

hughvane #2 (permalink)
Member Since: May 18, 2008 Location: Banks Peninsula, New Zealand Posts: 3,244 Mac Specs: MacMini 2.4, 4 Gb, OS 10.6.8; MacBook 2.4, 2 Gb, OS 10.5.8; G4 eMac 1.25, 2 Gb, OS 10.4.11	01-23-2010, 04:01 PM Firstly, welcome to the forums. You're right, this topic has appeared a lot, but it's not always easy to find the posts. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM It ALWAYS helps to post the model and specs of your machine so experienced users can relate their experience in fixing the problem. There are 10 models of G4 PwrMac, which one do you have? ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Please post your Mac (or other) specs and MacOS version in your post, your profile or your signature. It helps us to help you better. I'm leaving now to go and find myself. If I should return before I get back, please ask me to wait.
	QUOTE Thanks

dtravis7 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,806 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	01-23-2010, 05:40 PM Just a hunch. Do you have a voltmeter there of any kind? If so check the PRAM battery. Should measure 3.6 Volts or close. Seen many G4 system that would not boot if that battery was dead. ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

dtravis7 #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,806 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	01-24-2010, 12:38 PM Radio Shack can order them and some stores might have it in stock. You can find them cheap on Ebay. Do a search for Mac PRAM battery and see what you find. ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

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Venjin #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2010 Posts: 4	01-23-2010, 02:04 PM I apologize if this topic has come up a lot, but I have an issue with my Powermac g4 The problem is that when i press the power button, the power light flashes on then goes off. The machine tries to boot up, but the screen remains black. The fans turn on, but nothing else happens. The machine stay will on and the fans running until I press and hold the power button to turn it off. Not sure what the problem could be or how to fix this. I believe I have Leopard OS on this machine, if thats a contributing factor. Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

Venjin #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2010 Posts: 4	01-23-2010, 05:30 PM Thanks for the quick responses! I tried resetting the PMU, to no avail unfortunately. I am unsure exactly which model I have, since I cant turn it on. I do know its 1Ghz Dual and it has the mirrored doors. The video card is by ATI
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,086 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	01-23-2010, 05:37 PM It dioes happen at times MDD models will not boot with a flat PRAM battery.
	QUOTE Thanks

Venjin #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2010 Posts: 4	01-24-2010, 12:34 PM I dont have a way to measure the voltage in the PRAM's Battery Assuming it is the PRAM battery, is that an easy or cheap fix?
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,086 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	01-24-2010, 03:53 PM There she be:- http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer...gy/BAA36VPRAM/
	QUOTE Thanks

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