08-26-2010, 12:09 PM

hi there im new to the site, ive had an imac G5 and now there seems to be a yellow line going from top to bottom and it seems to be running slow since ive had it about 6 months plus its second hand.
your help will be appreciated
thanks gaz

08-26-2010, 12:11 PM

What's the processor speed & screen size?

- Nick

08-26-2010, 12:14 PM

sorry its a 1.8ghz 1Gb memory and its 17" screen so its the old one if im right ?

08-26-2010, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by gazza

sorry its a 1.8ghz 1Gb memory and its 17" screen so its the old one if im right ?

Old is relative.

I don't know how technical you are with computers. But one thing that some of the G5 iMac's suffered from was swollen/leaky capacitors. Apple got a bad batch of capacitors back then when these computers were manufactured...and a lot of computers went out the door with them.

I'm not saying 100% this is your problem...but it's a possibility. If you're capable...you could remove the iMac G5's back cover (just three screws)...and you could look to see if the capacitors are swollen or leaking.

- Nick

08-26-2010, 12:27 PM

when i got it the bloke took the back off and showed me he had them uprated etc but i shall look again to make sure everythings ok plus it seems to be freezing abit if i have 2 internets open and another program open, any advice about that ?

thanks again gaz

08-26-2010, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by gazza

when i got it the bloke took the back off and showed me he had them uprated etc but i shall look again to make sure everythings ok plus it seems to be freezing abit if i have 2 internets open and another program open, any advice about that ?

thanks again gaz

I'm not sure what you mean by "2 internets open"?

Regarding the freezing...have you installed any new/different ram recently?

- Nick

08-26-2010, 12:35 PM

i meant two internet tabs open. and i havent upgraded the ram yet but think i might and ive been told i can go to 2GB is that right ?

08-26-2010, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by gazza

i meant two internet tabs open. and i havent upgraded the ram yet but think i might and ive been told i can go to 2GB is that right ?

Yes you can go to 2gig of ram. It's possible that the "yellow line" and freezing could both be related to the swollen/leaky capacitor issue.

- Nick

08-26-2010, 12:43 PM

ahh right if it is who can fix it for me or will i have to take it to apple

08-26-2010, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by gazza

ahh right if it is who can fix it for me or will i have to take it to apple

To be honest...I don't think that it would be worth it. It would probably cost at least 50% of the value of the iMac G5 (if not more) if someone else had to do the repair (if you can find someone who knows what they're doing & are familiar with the repair).

I think that the parts alone cost $25-$30 US (if not more)...but most of the cost would be labor. There's a lot of de-soldering & soldering that needs to be done...something like 25 capacitors.

If you could do the work...then it would definitely be something worth considering. There's some pretty good "Do It Yourself" instructions on the internet.

- Nick

08-26-2010, 12:59 PM

oh right ok then well its weird now the line keeps flashing and the goes solid mmm bezar, looks like im gona have to look for a new one then

08-26-2010, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by gazza

oh right ok then well its weird now the line keeps flashing and the goes solid mmm bezar, looks like im gona have to look for a new one then

With the iMac computers there's not a whole lot that can be done to repair them...since pretty much everything is integrated into the logic board. Usually this means replacing the logic board...which unless you can get a "good" used one...can be VERY expensive...even a used one.

This capacitor replacement "thing"...is only a possibility since so many people were effected...that some good DIY's were put together.

Good luck,

- Nick

08-26-2010, 02:02 PM

ive took the back off and checked everything and the capacitors look brand new and nothing seems to be leaking or swollen ?

08-26-2010, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by gazza

ive took the back off and checked everything and the capacitors look brand new and nothing seems to be leaking or swollen ?

I'm not sure what else to recommend. If it's a logic board issue...there's not a whole lot that can be done. If you do an internet search...you'll find that these lines on iMac G5 display's is/was fairly common...and it seems that Apple had a special program to fix it. But since these computers are like 5-6 years old...this program has probably expired.

You could try a couple other "long shot" ideas:

1. Try removing both sticks of ram...and boot the computer with just one stick. If that doesn't help, try the 2nd stick by itself.

2. You could install a program called "Temp Monitor"...and see how high your computers temps are...in case this problem is temperature related.

Temperature Monitor: Description

HTH,

- Nick

08-26-2010, 05:04 PM

Might this be your problem?

iMac G5 17 inch Inverter replacement manual- PDF