Dead Mac?

[psppsp]

We have a Mac here at work that the graphics department uses that is currently not working. One you press the power button on the front, the power button 'glows' while you hold it, but the machine never powers or boots up.

When I came in the other morning, the building was having a 'brown-out', and I know we had a fax machine and one other computer get fried by the low voltage coming in. Now I'm very familiar with fixing other PCs, but never have worked inside a mac. Where do I start? Should I check the power supply, or does it sound like a motherboard issue? What else could be the culpret in a Mac? Remember, no fans or anything turn on when you press the power button. The power button lights up, but only while you're holding it.

[CubKid]

What model of Mac is it? also, what CPU (G3, G4, etc..)

[5string]

well, i come from the mac side of things and am just learning what i can about pc's. it sounds to me like what you may have is a motherboard issue. they'll sometimes do strange things with power fluctuations. i would suggest a least trying to start up from the os cd. insert the cd (if possible), then hold down the "c" key while you try and boot up. if that's not possible do the same while holding down the "shift" key. this allows the machine to start up with all extentions off. if it's a power issue, there's not much you can do except to examine the power supply and motherboard or simply have it examined by a tech.
joel

[dunbar]

I doubt that the mac will start from the CD, 5string, since it will not stay powered up when he lets go of the power button - that is abnormal.

Unplug the system for a few hours, the boot system might need to discharge for a spell. Older macs (circa PowerMac 7500) used a CUDA chip in the power circuit, it could get confused and Apple put a reset switch on the mobo for resetting it. Maybe a manual tells of this?

Try the Apple site, look for their forums (not easy to find). the forums are divided by processoy and style, find your systems forum and ask in there. the forums are definitely monitored by Apple tech people, but there may be a few hours delay (especially right now - friday and quitting time!).

[5string]

i agree, if indeed it is a power issue. but not seeing it first hand, that might be a path to follow if it will read. i've had something of that sort happen to at least three systems. one was due to power surge, the other systems were aged. the www.apple.com suggestion is good (but IS hard to find). good luck.

[psppsp]

OK, here's some information for all of you. Sorry for the delay in responding, I've been trying to track down some info.

The mac is a Power Mac G4. I have not tried the cd thing, but I doubt that will work since the machine never powers up at all. All I get is the glowing power button when it's pushed. I'll try it though. (I'll have to use a paperclip to get the CD into the machine)

I have the machine unplugged right now for the last 3 days, so I'll try just powering it on per Dunbar's comments. I don't think it has the CUDA chip, as what I've read is that that's only on PCI video models, and I'm pretty sure ours is AGP.

Please provide more feedback if you have it, and I'll let you all know if I get to some kind of resolution.

[psppsp]

Model #M5183
I couldn't find this model number anywhere on Apple's site.

[psppsp]

Well I fixed the Mac.

I was told by a local computer shop that the power management might be out of whack, and that I should draint the MB totally dry of power. He had me pull the CMOS battery, and leave the unit unplugged for a couple hours. At that point, I replaced the battery, and the machine powered on good as new. Everything was still there, I just had to reset the date and time and stuff.