What Good is a Dead G4?

[Nikolaus_Maack]

My iMac G4 died. Specifically, the logic board died. My G4 is the beautiful model that's half a sphere with a stalk sticking out of it. I hate to see it like this. Having little choice -- I can't live without a computer -- I bought a new G5 Intel iMac machine thing. It is a delight.

Just before my G4's logic board died, I got the screen replaced. (It was still under warrantee.) So it seems sad to have a dead screen like that -- going to waste.

Is there any way for me to hook up the G4's screen to my g5, so I have dual monitor capabilities? Or is this so utterly impossible for me to achieve as a fairly naive user that I should just give up, and use my G4 as a doorstop?

(Hint: I don't even have the tools to open my G4, let alone understand what's going on inside of it.)

It's just a thought. I've always dreamed of having the multi-flat-screen system of CSI.

Thanks for your sympathy, mockery, etc.

Nik
http://www.nikart.ca

 

[MacHeadCase]

Mockery? I hope not. :flower:

Welcome to Mac-Forums, Nikolaus_Maack! I'm not sure about how you could use that G4 iMac screen with the Intel iMac though. I've googled for this just now and it seems impossible to do.

 

[fearlessfreap24]

at least scavenge the hard drive and use it to store all of you music or something.

 

[bryphotoguy]

I doubt it is possible. The power most likely is routed into the logic board and then some is used to power the screen.
Bryan

 

[Nikolaus_Maack]

Bummer

I figured it wasn't doable. It just seems sad.

When I brought the G4 into the shop with a dead screen, they were telling me it just wasn't worth the expense to fix it. Which is when I told them it was still under warrantee and they changed their tune.

A few weeks later, the logic board died -- no longer under warrantee.

Alas.

Nik
http://www.nikart.ca

 

[jakeroberts]

There are logic board upgrades, they are a little expensive but it is possible. Also, you can get parts rigs cheap on ebay some times. If nothing else, the dead iMac is worth quite a bit in parts. The screen would fetch a fair price still, the neck posts are quite expensive new, there is ram and an optical drive that likely still work. A dead computer is a little demoralizing but its not all doom and gloom, you might try posting G4 spare parts in the buy sell trade forum.

 

[MacHeadCase]

Excellent idea, jakeroberts!

Or you could do the reverse and look around for parts in eBay and get a logic board that way. Just make sure it's from the exact same model as yours (i.e. same CPU).

 

[jakeroberts]

what model iMac is it?

 

[Alexis]

Your new iMac isn't a G5 btw - it's an Intel. :black:

 

[bryphotoguy]

Your new iMac isn't a G5 btw - it's an Intel. :black:

He could have meant he just bought it (that doesn't necessarily mean it is a new unit.)
Bryan