Dead iMac g4

[Attakai The Kitty]

I bought an iMac g4 for $25 but it shows no signs of life, it appears to be a newer version due to the different newer style font on the word “imac”, does anyone know what’s wrong with it and how to fix it?

 

[Kai Robinson]

Have you got any pictures of the machine to help us identify the model?

 

[Attakai The Kitty]

Yes…

 

[retr01]

Hey @The Mac Guy, you have the cool iLamp. That iMac G4 should have the configuration on the bottom that will help us to specify which model, as circled below. Can you please let us know what yours is?

 

[Attakai The Kitty]

I have to go to the grocery store to buy a couple things but when I get back I will make sure to get a picture of the bottom

​

 

[Attakai The Kitty]

I got a pic of the info on the bottom

 

[retr01]

Thank you, @The Mac Guy. That narrows down to either 15-inch or a 17-inch screen. Which one do you have? If you are not sure, you can measure diagonally from the top corner to the bottom corner.

 

[Attakai The Kitty]

I believe it’s the 17 inch the screen is definitely bigger than my iMac g3 which has a 15 inch screen

 

[retr01]

Hey @The Mac Guy, have you tried resetting the PMU? Do you know how to do that?

 

[retr01]

Resetting the Power Management Unit (PMU) on the 15" or 17" iMac G4 (2002):

1. Disconnect the power cord.
2. Remove the user access panel from the bottom of the computer.
3. Press the PMU to reset the switch once on the bottom side of the logic board. Please do NOT press the PMU to reset the switch a second time because it could crash the PMU chip.
4. The switch is near the memory slot, next to the airport card.
5. Wait ten seconds before you connect the power cord, and keep your fingers crossed.

​

Source: iFixit​

 

[Attakai The Kitty]

I have not, Does a dead Pram battery cause the device not to power up like on old PowerBooks?

 

[retr01]

I have not, Does a dead Pram battery cause the device not to power up like on old PowerBooks?

Yeah, I suspect the same. If the reset doesn't work, the next thing to do is replace that battery.

 

[retr01]

Here are the step-by-step instructions, with pictures, to replace the PRAM battery in the 17" iMac G4:

iMac G4 17 800 MHz EMC 1936 PRAM Battery Replacement

Removing an old or broken PRAM battery.

www.ifixit.com

 

[retr01]

One question @The Mac Guy, did it ever beep when you try to turn it on?

 

[Attakai The Kitty]

It just does nothing, no beeps, no fans spinning I’ve tried the previous 2 methods just now but still nothing

 

[davidg5678]

It just does nothing, no beeps, no fans spinning I’ve tried the previous 2 methods just now but still nothing

Have you verified the condition of your power cord and power button?

 

[Attakai The Kitty]

I have tried 2 power cords that I know work but they still don’t do anything

 

[retr01]

Okay. Next...PSU.

Are you comfortable with recapping? If not, you can replace it. Unfortunately, the PSU can get costly. The PSU is Apple part number 661-3185 (M6489)

https://www.dvwarehouse.com/661-3185-apple-power-supply-for-imac-g4-17-lcd-800mhz-614-0186.html

 

[Attakai The Kitty]

Unfortunately I don’t know how to solder so I guess it will just be on display for now

 

[retr01]

I'm sorry. Such a beautiful iMac, and you can't have fun with it. Sometimes a visual inspection inside can help to determine a problem that may be simple to fix.