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widget : widget · Aug 30, 2004, 01:31 PM

Being the second computer to die on me within a week, I need a second opinion!

My venerable iMac G3 400 (slot loading DVD, 20Gb hd, 512Mb RAM) has given up the ghost... sorta.

Hitting the power key on the machine causes the green light to come on, the HD to whir up (no clunking, so I think thats all good) and then the entire thing to turn itself off after two seconds.

Every 200 or so hits of the power button and the machine will turn on properly.

P-RAM battery is in good nick. What do you guys think? MoBo failure? Power supply failure?

I haven't got the foggiest as to whats wrong... thank god for automated backups.

bradbissell · Aug 30, 2004, 02:22 PM

I would try replacing the hard drive. My roommates imac did exactly the same thing two months ago. I replaced the drive and voila it came back to life.

widget : widget · Aug 30, 2004, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by bradbissell:
I would try replacing the hard drive. My roommates imac did exactly the same thing two months ago. I replaced the drive and voila it came back to life.

Ah... cunning. (Although I'll try it and post back with results, I _really_ don't think its the HD. Thanks nonetheless.

)

solbo · Aug 30, 2004, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by widget : widget:
Ah... cunning. (Although I'll try it and post back with results, I _really_ don't think its the HD. Thanks nonetheless. )

I am not sure about the iMac, but I had PowerMac do this to me and resetting the CUDA switch on the Mobo fixed it.

widget : widget · Aug 30, 2004, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by solbo:
I am not sure about the iMac, but I had PowerMac do this to me and resetting the CUDA switch on the Mobo fixed it.

Thats one thing I haven't done. Where abouts is the switch on the MoBo?

SafariX · Aug 30, 2004, 04:14 PM

Do you have a reliable power supply for your machines? Its possible that power fluctuations may be causing hardware failure.

widget : widget · Aug 31, 2004, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by SafariX:
Do you have a reliable power supply for your machines? Its possible that power fluctuations may be causing hardware failure.

Reliable as in 'plugged straight into the wall socket/using different kettle plugs and still not working', then, yes I do.

As in 'actual power supply in back of machine is screwed', then, no idea.