Potential Mac New Guy here.

dannythekid · Jan 19, 2010

Hey guys just recently joined up here.

I came into ownership of a non functional G5 iMac a couple weeks ago and am looking to get it going so I can learn more about how it all works.

Doing some searching around here hopefully I'll be able to join you all!

However, I can't exactly say I'll be a switcher, but I'll swing for both teams... er... that didn't sound right.

Welp, seeya later!

techound1 · Jan 19, 2010

Welcome! You'll have a lot of fun working on it - fixing a broken Mac was how I got started. To get you going, stop by ifixit.com - they have all sorts of manuals and videos on taking Macs apart and repairing them. Their parts prices are a bit steep, but they're a good place to start.

toMACsh · Jan 20, 2010

Do you have an OSX installation disc for it? Which version?

dannythekid · Jan 20, 2010

Yes I do have an install disc for it. The version? I'm really not sure. The computer was purchased early 06 I believe? I don't have them in hand so I'm really not sure.

Will runnin the installation discs complete wipe the hard drive? There is some potentially important stuff on there I may need to salvage for the people who used to own it.

toMACsh · Jan 20, 2010

No, installing the OS will not affect files that are properly saved outside of the System Folder. (I'm assuming OS9 here.) You can even do an installation that will save a Previous System Folder, which you can scrap after you scavenge it for things to keep.

droflex · Jan 20, 2010

dannythekid said:
Yes I do have an install disc for it. The version? I'm really not sure. The computer was purchased early 06 I believe? I don't have them in hand so I'm really not sure.

Will runnin the installation discs complete wipe the hard drive? There is some potentially important stuff on there I may need to salvage for the people who used to own it.

You can go to the store and get SL for $30. It wont wipe anything out and if it didn't fix your problems, it wouldn't hurt to have when you get the computer up-and-running.

later.

rzj90059 · Jan 20, 2010

droflex said:
You can go to the store and get SL for $30. It wont wipe anything out and if it didn't fix your problems, it wouldn't hurt to have when you get the computer up-and-running.

later.

Snow Leopard is not compatible with PPC's, only Intel based Macs. He said he had a G5 iMac, therefore it is a PPC based Mac.

droflex · Jan 20, 2010

rzj90059 said:
Snow Leopard is not compatible with PPC's, only Intel based Macs. He said he had a G5 iMac, therefore it is a PPC based Mac.

Doh! forgot about that PPC thing. Before my time.

cheers.

dannythekid · Feb 1, 2010

I will definitely explore those options when I get to that point. Before it went to MacOutfitters it booted but didn't go anywhere past a screen similar to a PC's DOS.

Since then all I get when I plug in is a slow blinking power light on the front and nothing, so I'm kinda in the dark and don't wanna start throwing parts, I was thinking a power supply and go from there.