G4 Quicksilver and Internal Modem Problems

skyhawk · Nov 17, 2009

I helped a friend get a used Mac. G4 Quicksilver. Got it upgraded to Mac OSX 10.5.8. After upgrading two things happened: one the CD tray door will not open on its own. If I go to Disk Utility, I can select the CD player and use that utility to open tray. CD works to burn and play disks and a gentle nudge will close the tray. But door will not open on its own. Then my friend due to his location being beyond cable or dsl options, must use dial up. I have tried every which way to configure the internet connection with Network Assistant. All to no avail. So I thought well maybe the modem is dead. However, I can fax from the modem without any difficulty. So can only part of the modem be dead? Are there any issues with version 10.5.8 not being compatible with an internal modem?

harryb2448 · Nov 17, 2009

G'day and welcome to the forums.

Using an Apple keyboard connected to the machine? Sometimes connecting via a hub will cause the CD tray problems. You can place an eject/open tray icon in the menu bar by doing this:-

CD Eject from menu bar - How do you do it? - Mac Forums

Internal modems do fail from time to time and the machine is getting on. If you have Apple Hardware Test for the Quicksilver, run that as it checks out the modem. If not you can get AHT here:-

http://www.info.apple.com/support/aht.html

Download the PowerMac G4 AHT. dmg file, drag it to the left hand column of Disk utility, pop in a new CD and hit the burn button. To use boot from the CD holding down 'C' after the chimes.

If all else fails try a PCI modem card.

skyhawk · Nov 18, 2009

I am using a Mac Keyboard and have tried to open CD tray from dock eject button and command +E and still doesn't open. Command E will work if there is a disk in the tray. I was trying different things yesterday and actually got the modem to dial out one time. But my question now is there a problem with the the modem and my phone lines being digital? I have downloaded the AHT and will try that later today. THanks for the help.

harryb2448 · Nov 18, 2009

Can't help with the digital phone question as here in rural Australia that is light years away.

This may be of some help if you thing the modem has failed, or confirmed after AHT:-

eBay.com.my: 56k Modem Apple Power Mac G4 Quicksilver/Digital Audio (item 190336714147 end time Oct 21, 2009 20:19:54 MYT)

Has closed but that gives you the idea and they may have more.

skyhawk · Dec 15, 2009

Internal Modem Errors

So, I reinstalled software and that corrected the CD drawer problem. It now operates as expected. I also bought a new modem and installed it. Same problems. Modem will operate for fax, but not for dial-up. Even when it is supposedly trying to dial out, you don't hear any noises. When it faxes, you can hear it dial. I am using MAC OS X 10.5 on a G4 Quicksilver. I am open for any suggestions. Machine operates perfectly fine in all other respects.

skyhawk · Dec 22, 2009

Update to modem problems. Friend brought over external global village modem usb. Connected it and went into network settings under system preferences. I changed the modem on the second page of the modem settings page under the network settings to global village. Voila! the internal modem began working and worked like a charm. Amazingly I had replaced the internal modem and both the old and new indicate they are apple modems. So you would think the modem setting should remain Apple. I can't tell you how many hours were wasted trying to make this modem work and I knew it was a software issue, but couldn't figure what else to change. So thanks for the input, my friend took his computer home last night.

skyhawk · Dec 29, 2009

As a followup, after all my hard work to make this dial situation work for my friend, he had the machine home less than a week when he decided he couldn't tolerate the dial up problem. He opted for a wireless broadband modem for the G4 and couldn't be happier. Oh, but he could have saved me many headaches. Thanks for all the input.

harryb2448 · Dec 29, 2009

Not to worry. Actually that should have been your first recommendation to him. Now he is using broadband he will never go back! Gives the old G4 a new lease of life does broadband speeds.