Why does my 2.5GHZ Quad freeze shortly after booting?

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Power Mac G5

The PowerMac G5 is a desktop computer first produced in 2003 by the Apple Corporation. This guide will review the repair process of an Apple PowerMac G5 model number A1047 EMC 2061 from 2004. It was discontinued in 2006 as part of the Intel switch first to developers then consumers.

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Brian @brian13349

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Posted: Jan 13, 2011

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Why does my 2.5GHZ Quad freeze shortly after booting?

Note that this Power Mac G5 (late 2005) freezes before I can boot into the Apple System Diagnostic or immediately after booting into OS 10.4.11. First LED #2 lights up, and then LED #7 lights up and the unit freezes. Video is fine. I have tried a different video card, and different memory with no luck. I have reset the SMU, and I have vacuumed/blown out the inside of the unit thoroughly. Everything appears to be functioning properly, including the Superdrive.

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mayer @mayer

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MacHale Enterprises

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Posted: Jan 13, 2011

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The #2 indicates no memory

The #7 should flash once at startup, then go off. If it stays on,

it indicates a CPU hang. This is usually caused by bad RAM, but

the CPU assembly may have come loose, or there may be a problem

with the connector for it (or it could have just plain died).

Cut back to the original RAM configuration and see if that fixes it (minimal RAM)

On all versions of the Power Mac G5, you must install memory in pairs. There is a top bank of sockets and a lower bank. When you install a ram module in the top bank, you must install the exact same size memory chip in the corresponding socket of the lower bank.

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3 Comments:

To explain a little more, the unit starts up normally. After 30 seconds or so LED #2 comes on, and stays on, but the unit continues to function normally. After another 20 seconds or so LED #3 comes on too and the unit freezes. Different memory has been tried, and I forgot to mention that the battery was replaced.

Jan 13, 2011 by Brian

I guess I'm going to have to figure this one out myself...I guess I'm going to have to figure this one out myself...

Jan 19, 2011 by Brian

Okay, I've replaced RAM, the video card, the mother board and the CPU's. It starts up properly, all the fans work and I still get the same 2 LEDs lighting up with the system freezing. I know a lot of tricks, but I retired as a Field Engineer just before any of the G5s were released, so I need some help from someone with some serious experience with the things, if you please...

Jan 20, 2011 by Brian

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To explain a little more, the unit starts up normally. After 30 seconds or so LED #2 comes on, and stays on, but the unit continues to function normally. After another 20 seconds or so LED #3 comes on too and the unit freezes. Different memory has been tried, and I forgot to mention that the battery was replaced. — Brian
I guess I'm going to have to figure this one out myself...I guess I'm going to have to figure this one out myself... — Brian
Okay, I've replaced RAM, the video card, the mother board and the CPU's. It starts up properly, all the fans work and I still get the same 2 LEDs lighting up with the system freezing. I know a lot of tricks, but I retired as a Field Engineer just before any of the G5s were released, so I need some help from someone with some serious experience with the things, if you please... — Brian