G4 466 Digital Audio... power supply

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Hey guys, I'm picking up yet another Mac to add to my collection... a 466MHz Digital Audio tower. The downside is the power supply is bad. What I am wanting to know... is this something I can repair? I know how to solder and such, and I am wondering if I can take apart the power supply and fix it, or is this a case of just replacing the power supply?

Thanks!
 

pigoo3

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Hey guys, I'm picking up yet another Mac to add to my collection... a 466MHz Digital Audio tower. The downside is the power supply is bad. What I am wanting to know... is this something I can repair? I know how to solder and such, and I am wondering if I can take apart the power supply and fix it, or is this a case of just replacing the power supply?

Thanks!

I would bet that if you can accurately identify the part or parts in the power supply that are bad...if you are good with soldering/desoldering...and if you can locate a source for replacement parts...I'm sure it can be repaired. But like anything with old computers...is repairing it the best route financially.

Alternative routes could be:

- locate a cheap used replacement power supply
- locate a 2nd non-working Powermac G4 that uses the same power supply (power supply is good)...if you're lucky, these can be found for $10-$20 bucks. Actually working or not working these can be found for around $20 bucks.

Repairing the current non-working power supply would seem to be the least expensive option...and be the most satisfying from a "project" standpoint...but the replacement parts might actually cost you more than a whole working 2nd Powermac G4.

HTH,

- Nick
 
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Hmm... thanks for that link. However I found a guy that sells the conversion harness for $20. Can't beat the deal... I'm getting the computer for free, plus I already have a 375w ATX powers supply in my closet.

http://atxg4.com/

Even with that, I may attempt pulling apart the supply myself to find the cause of the failure.. it's obviously a common thing that may be fixable...
 

pigoo3

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Hmm... thanks for that link. However I found a guy that sells the conversion harness for $20. Can't beat the deal... I'm getting the computer for free, plus I already have a 375w ATX powers supply in my closet.

See that's what I'm saying. For $20 bucks you might get lucky & be able to buy a whole used Powermac G4. This past Summer I bought a Powermac G4 733mhz for $30 (with a printer & and a copy of 10.4, and extra ink). Last Friday I got a 500mhz G3 iMac for $15.

But in the grand scheme of things...$20 isn't too bad.:)

Good luck,

- Nick
 
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Picked it up today, and yes, the power supply is dead. Plugged a cord into it and I can hear the little zap you always get when you plug a cord in, but nothing when I hit the power switch.

Actually, does anyone know what the rated wattage is for this power supply? It doesn't say on the supply what the total is.
 
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See that's what I'm saying. For $20 bucks you might get lucky & be able to buy a whole used Powermac G4. This past Summer I bought a Powermac G4 733mhz for $30 (with a printer & and a copy of 10.4, and extra ink). Last Friday I got a 500mhz G3 iMac for $15.

But in the grand scheme of things...$20 isn't too bad.:)

Good luck,

- Nick

Like I saw a Ethernet G4 at the thrift store for $12.00 several weeks ago...have too many now and passed on it.:\
 

pigoo3

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Like I saw a Ethernet G4 at the thrift store for $12.00 several weeks ago...have too many now and passed on it.:\

I STILL have not seen one Mac at my local thrift stores. There must be something special about your location that so many Mac's show up at the thrift store!;)

- Nick
 
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Same here... our thrift store workers around here take the good stuff for themselves and sell it on eBay. Best thing I ever found at a thrift store around here was a Apple mouse.
 

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