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dannycpa · Oct 7, 2006, 01:44 AM

Well I guess the real question is "What's Going On And How Do I Fix IT?". I purchased this old iMac PowerPC G3 233mhz. The CPU and memory have all been upgraded. The CPU I belive I saw was at 433mhz? and the ram was at 512mb. It had OS X on with the CD's so I went to put a bigger hard drive and reinstall the OS. When I put humpty Dumpty back together I get this. http://www.dannycdot.com/images/applescreen.JPG Now I double checked and triple checked all the connections to make sure something didn't come loose, and I still get the picture you see before you. Is there someone who can tell me whats going on and how to fix it. Also I know there are people going to say it's not worth fixing, but this computer and me have history id like to have like new again. Thanks..

Jerommeke · Oct 7, 2006, 04:17 AM

Are you able to boot the iMac from a CD?

Will C · Oct 7, 2006, 04:17 AM

Have you done the 8GB first partition thing and got the firmware up to date?

dannycpa · Oct 7, 2006, 08:31 AM

I am unable to perform any of these tasks because the picture is unreadable. However I do know that the cd does boot because I can see the window to install does apear. But if putting in firmware will solve this problem wil someone give me a brief tutorial on how to perform a firmware install? As some side information I am a computer tech and I can fix any WINDOWS based pc, however I have no expierence with Mac. Thanks...

ghporter · Oct 7, 2006, 09:55 AM

Danny, I changed the title of this thread to reflect what you were asking. We have a rule that requires thread titles to be descriptive and informative-yours was just plaintive...

I don't remember if that particular version of iMac has an external video port, but if it does, have you tried connecting it to an eternal monitor?

I wish I had more advice for you on this. Hopefully, with a better title, more people will look at the thread and offer you some help.

mduell · Oct 7, 2006, 10:04 AM

Do you own a boat?

dannycpa · Oct 7, 2006, 10:06 AM

No, but I can rent one! Also I don't see a video out on this PC.

Will C · 02:08 PM

That model does sort of have vga internally which drives th einetrnal display but is the less common larger 15 pin d-type with 2 rows of pins and you would need an adaptor (if it is a 233MHz model as you say) People have run external monitors from them, but you lose the internal display.

Looking again at your screen photo, I think that you may have a hardware video fault. Alternatively there is the slim chance that a ram module is poorly seated or perhaps incompatible - I think the 233MHz model takes PC66 SDRAM and maxes of 256MB per socket - hopefully someone else can confirm that - beware Apple lists maximum RAM based on what was available at the time the machine was launched.

EDIT: Try this page: Macworld: Upgrade an iMac

and this one show the internal 'VGA' connector:

http://www.macworld.com/2001/10/publ...ntent/012a.jpg

dannycpa · Oct 7, 2006, 10:48 PM

I have that VGA connector but what is wrong with the screen connected now. I think I also may have not mentioned that the iMac worked perfectly until I took it apart. If I get a new Motherboard will this solve my problems. ALSO can someone tell me where to get firmware and how to install it.

Will C · 06:59 AM

Did you have to unplug the internal VGA connector when you took it apart? - If so try wriggling it and reseating it, it alooks like the sync signals are not getting through reliably.

As for the firmware, I cannot remember exactly but if you do a search for 'firmware' on this forum, you should find a posting describing how to do it. I think you need to do it in OS9 though - or maybe some one else will chime in here.
Also Apple have guides about how to do it on their support pages.

HTH

dannycpa · Oct 8, 2006, 09:34 AM

Thanks Will, I tried moving the connection around and got no change. My next step is to follow that cable to the other end and see whats on the other side of the rainbow.

Will C · Oct 8, 2006, 10:42 AM

OK, I no longer have my bondi 233MHz iMac and I only opened it up a couple of times, so cannot remember the internal layout. I hope you are aware of the hazards of CRTs - if you are not then either keep away from it or STOP and get some help from someone who does.
Though I have never heard of it (and I used to fix TVs and monitors before we had LCDs), some will tell you that you can get a lethal shock from a CRT even when it has been depowered - more likely it will throw you across the room where you stab yourself on something sharp - either way, please be safe rather than sorry.
My apologies if you are electonically trained.

dannycpa · Oct 8, 2006, 06:50 PM

I have heard a guy in my tech schools years ago lost his left hand messing with a crt. So I know not to mess around too much. Thanks...

dannycpa · Oct 8, 2006, 07:47 PM

OMG someone found the solution to my problem! Here is the link... Google Groups: comp.sys.mac.system

iMacfan · Oct 9, 2006, 02:54 AM

The original iMac CRTs are pretty OK with being taken apart. The screen is well sealed off, and all the other components slide out on a tray.

David

Will C · Oct 9, 2006, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by dannycpa

OMG someone found the solution to my problem! Here is the link... Google Groups: comp.sys.mac.system

Beware, that disccussion is mostly about the DV and later series of CRT iMacs. If yours is a trayloader as suggested by the 233MHz you mentioned, you need a different firmware update.

Good luck, I hope you have OS9 handy...

WizOSX · Oct 9, 2006, 04:25 PM

Danny--is your machine working now?