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Thread: Imac problem

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    Default Imac problem

    My imac g5 won't startup.
    No startup sound.
    Screen goes to grey with the pin wheel spinning for half a minute then the computer shuts off.
    What would cause this problem ?



Look Here ->
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    Failed HDD?
    RAM?

    Start in cmd+S for verbose start...it may give you come clue

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    loopyloo (07-08-17)

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    Default

    It's got a ?
    I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...

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    loopyloo (07-08-17)

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    Quote Originally Posted by lsemmens View Post
    It's got a ?
    I'm the one with the disease.
    I've had that rotten virus for 3 weeks.

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    Quote Originally Posted by mandc View Post
    Failed HDD?
    RAM?

    Start in cmd+S for verbose start...it may give you come clue
    Great trick.
    It comes up with : apple smu - shutdown cause = -110
    Any idea what that is ?

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    ok so I'm a beginner with Mac so bear with me on this. I don't even own a Mac keyboard.
    I found a list of Mac codes here ;

    error -110 memAdrErr: address was odd; or out of range

    So another site says enter fsck -fy
    The result of that : Catalog file invalid record count , (4,37326) , volume check failed , /dev/rdisk0s3 (hfs) , exited with signal 8

    Is this recoverable or is the HDD stuffed ?

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    1/. You do not need a Mac keyboard. A Windows keyboard will suffice. A search using the term "windows keyboard versus mac keyboard" will lead to helpful web pages showing the two keyboards side-by-side. I have successfully used (and continue to do so) a Windows keyboard on a Mac.

    2/. Go to for alternative Mac startup methods and proceed from there. It's really not that difficult.

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    Alt windows p and r got the startup sound back so that's progress but it still shuts down.
    I'm still checking but it looks like most of them alternative Mac startup methods aren't working for me.
    Any more ideas ?

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    Loopy, it would help enormously if you posted the model number of the unit PLUS the version of Mac OS (OS X ?) resident on the hard drive if you know it. (Mac operating systems are hardware-dependent therefore the model number is crucial).

    Once you do that, I might be able to help more.

    (It appears that you might have to consider booting from an external source (rather than the existing HDD)).

    Edit: Well, I had failed to re-read your first post in which you stated that the unit is a G5.

    My humblest apologies!!

    Leave it with me for a while.
    Last edited by tristen; 07-08-17 at 09:12 PM.

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    I went back to cmd+s to try another command I found : fsck_hfs -rf /dev/diskxsy and used that 0s3 in replacement of xsy.
    The computer works now.
    Cool. I'll come back if I have any more problems



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    Quote Originally Posted by tristen View Post
    Loopy, it would help enormously if you posted the model number of the unit PLUS the version of Mac OS (OS X ?) resident on the hard drive if you know it. (Mac operating systems are hardware-dependent therefore the model number is crucial).

    Once you do that, I might be able to help more.

    (It appears that you might have to consider booting from an external source (rather than the existing HDD)).
    Sorry, it's a G5, is there a model number somewhere on it ? and don't know the OS cos I picked it up off the street. lol
    PS I suppose I can say what the OS is now, where do I find out ?
    Last edited by loopyloo; 07-08-17 at 09:14 PM.

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    Found it
    10.5.8

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    You seem to pick a lot of stuff off the street.

    I used to do the same until the local councils stopped providing an annual hard rubbish collection.

    To find out what version of Mac OS is installed, left click on the little Apple logo at extreme top left of screen and then left click 'About This Mac', whereupon all will be magically revealed.

    The Mac equivalent of 'Windows System Settings' is the second option (under Apple logo....'System Preferences', where you can change various things.

    'Finder' is Explorer, while the others are fairly self-evident.

    The website, Everymac, can be quite useful, e.g. .

    O.S. manuals can be borrowed from municipal libraries. I might even be able to provide a link to enable you to download one if you tell me what OS is installed.

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    Quote Originally Posted by loopyloo View Post
    Found it
    10.5.8
    That's 'OS X Leopard'. The next version up is called 'Snow Leopard'.

    There's a useful 'Beginner's Guide for Mac' at .

    See also .

    I haven't been able to locate a copy of the Leopard user manual, but it might be available at ebook3000. For starters go to .

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    Quote Originally Posted by loopyloo View Post
    Found it
    10.5.8
    If you want to upgrade I have an original Snow Leopard disc that I can copy for you if you want...or you can still buy them from Apple for $31


    Ahhh ....Forget that. The G5 is a powerPC mac ..not an intel mac so Leopard is the highest you can go
    Last edited by mandc; 07-08-17 at 10:31 PM.

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    This is the model :


    I'll just have a play with it now.
    Thanks guys

    PS by the way, will any windows software run on it ?
    Last edited by loopyloo; 07-08-17 at 11:00 PM.

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    As the G5 does not have an Intel processor Windows will not run on it.

    A Mac does most of what Windows will do with existing on-board applications.
    Last edited by tristen; 07-08-17 at 11:13 PM.

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    ok Thanks

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