Fix Your Stuff Community Store

The iMac G5, powered by the PowerPC G5 processor, was originally released in August 2004.

453 Questions View all

Options

I cant get past the blue screen on start up.

I have seen similar questions on here, but I want to make sure I know whats wrong with my computer before tearing into it. For the last couple days using it it started to freeze pretty frequently, usually if I was on youtube. I would have to restart it and every time it would freeze and id restart it I wouldnt go as far. 1st time id log in, then freeze, the next time I couldnt quite get to the desktop, then I couldnt get past the log in screen, and now it just goes to the blue screen before the log in screen and gets the rainbow wheel. I have heard it could be the ram, GPU or is it CPU, or the HDD. Id like to fix it as I have alot of stuff on it, just like anyone else does...It has one ram card in it that showed little over half a gig when it was given to me she thought it was one gig, so maybe its the ram?

Thanks

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 0
1 Comment

Please give us the last three figures of your serial number (found on the bottom of the stand). Thanks

by

Add a comment

3 Answers

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Chosen Solution

Options

As Mayer suggests, we still need to know what model iMac G5 this is. But if it happens to be the earlier version without the embedded iSight camera, these machines often suffer from the "bulging capacitor" issue, whereby capacitors attached to the logic board basically explode and ooze fluid, causing a myriad of various issues and symptoms. If it is the non-iSight version (I haven't dealt with enough of the iSight version to know if the have the same issue), you should loosen the three screws on the underside, pop the back casing off, and examine the board for bulging capacitors. Capacitors, if you aren't aware, look like smallish, cylindrical batteries, and there are a few clusters of them pointing vertically up from the board. The tops of all the capacitors should be perfectly flat, so if you see any that are peaking upward (like a volcano) or especially oozing a sticky substance, then your machine is suffering from this issue. Unfortunately if that is the problem, your machine is basically toast. You can replace all the capacitors if you're up for a significant project. I've never done it myself, but you can watch videos on YouTube detailing what's involved.

That aside, it could be your hard drive. I'd connect the machine to another via Firewire, put it in target mode, save your data onto the remote machine, and then wipe the drive and reinstall the OS, and see if symptoms persist. If they do, you know it's a hardware issue. I would then put the remote computer in target mode, and boot your iMac from the other computer's hard drive. If that works and you see no symptoms, you know your iMac's hard drive is at fault. Daniel brings up some good points, but honestly, I don't think I've ever seen Disk Utility save a drive that was so far gone as to be freezing constantly.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 4
Add a comment

Options

It sounds like a hard drive failure... First you could try to verify your hard drive using Disk Utility.

Use your install disk and reboot holding the "option" key.

Choose the install disk (if you can get that far) you will then see the OS install screen.

Choose disk utility from the menu bar, once opened click on the Verify Disk button and check if there are errors, if so use Repair Disk.

If errors are repaired, exit the the install page using the menu bar and reboot, once again holding the "option" key but this time choosing to boot from your hard drive.

I hope this helps

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

The serial number is OP52107JSD2

It does not have the eyesight built into the computer, and when I took off the back 12 out of the 32 or so capacitors had a bulge on them, one or 2 were leaking. Is it possible to replace that board? Parts machine? or can I get new board? It has a 1tb hard drive, the original one went out so id guess the hdd will be good. Id imagine my option is only to replace the capacitors. If I did it right could I get the machine working correctly with all my stuff still be on it?

Thanks again

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

1 Comment:

You can rest assured most if not all of the problems you're experiencing are related to the "bulging capacitor" issue, based on what you've described. I would still try putting the machine in target mode and connecting it to another, in case it's functional enough to let you copy your data over. Yes, you can get a parts machine on eBay with a good board and transplant it. It's actually not that hard, and iFixit has a good guide. Just beware that any given replacement board is going to be prone to the same problem. I would therefore tend to recommend putting your money into a newer Intel machine that is going to last you a few years...these iMac G5s tend to have issues. As far as replacing the capacitors, I must stress that it's a difficult procedure, and unless you happen to be good at soldering, I really wouldn't go there. Also, if you get a newer machine, you could always buy a $20 external enclosure for your current hard drive on eBay, and then connect that to a newer machine, copy your files over, and from that point on use the external hard drive as a backup drive. Just an idea. Good luck!

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

Nate will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 3

All Time: 3,454