Older Mac has gone down...

[RCory]

Well, it's day has come - I think - the computer just went dead - the power light lights up, but there is no life after that... (power supply?)

It's a old Mirror Door G4 dual 1.25 and it has been a workhorse...

So, in looking at a new Mac, is it true the cheapest new Mac starts at $2300.00 smackers?? *ouch!*

Do I need to upgrade my ol' PCI-424 card if I went with these new Macs? Will my old drives fit in them too? Is that an extra cost?

It's been so long (obviously!)

Thanks for any help or insight on just what exactly it will cost me to get a new machine and still run my MOTU gear...

Cory

[MIDI Life Crisis]

HOLD ON!

Could be a few things:

1) Internal battery! If that dies, you get the exact symptoms you describe. A new battery is about $5.

2) Are you using a digital monitor? If so, and the resolution changed for ANY REASON, you should hook up an analog connection and see if that works.

3) Reset the PRAM.

Most likely - THE BATTERY.

[Kubi]

Well, if you do upgrade, you'll need a replacement PCI424e (for the "e" part) which MOTU sells as an upgrade. You'll probably also need to upgrade or even ditch some plugs or apps as you go Intel/Leo. So it is a considerable cash outlay.

But man, if you can afford it, you won't regret it... it's like going from a bicycle to a helicopter. No kidding. Actually, nevermind, I came from a G5, so for you it'll be like going from a tricycle to a rocket ship...

If you have the bread, do it. Seriously.

[RCory]

Hey MLC -

Thanks for the reply. I was on the desktop and suddenly the computer went down.

I know it's not hard drives. There are no fans starting up when I press the power button - no clicking or beeping - even though the power light glows on when pressed, nothing else turns on.

Could that be the internal battery? I'm still pushing power supply idea...

I hope to get this working again... I know it's an old machine, and I really can't justify 3 grand for a new one right now...

[RCory]

Hey Kubi -

I know what you mean - I've had this box the longest I've ever had a machine... It was even a discontinued version when I bought it!

Believe me, I'd love to upgrade and I can't wait for when I finally do. It will be nice to see how things are meant to be speed-wise..

All I can say is: "everyone brush AND floss your teeth" teeth are expensive if you dont take care of them

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Hey MLC -

Thanks for the reply. I was on the desktop and suddenly the computer went down. ...

THis is EXACTLY what happened to my wife's G4 (my old machine) last week in her classroom. In her case, a program had changed the resolution to an unsupported format in the digital input, but it is also the sign of a dead internal battery.

But don't take my word for it!

http://www.academ.com/info/macintosh/

Been there. It's worth $5 to try it out. Be sure to reset the PMU!

[twistedtom]

One of my machines at work went down, this is a big machine about the sise of a small house. The tech said it was a battery in one of it's computers. When I told my boss he though I was giving him a line of Shhht till the tech explained it.

I have had batterys go out in keyboards 2 times before.

[RCory]

I go to Radio Shack first thing and see...

Thanks for all of your invaluable info!

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I have had batterys go out in keyboards 2 times before.

Not to mention rack modules...!

[RCory]

well...it wasn't the battery...

[MIDI Life Crisis]

well...it wasn't the battery...

Did you reset the CUDA? (PMU - Power Memory Unit)

[RCory]

Hey MLC -thanks for all of your time - I did press the reset PMU button on the logic board, but the computer is still dead. I'll try a new power supply and see if that works...

Thanks again for all of your attention!

[RCory]

Just a follow up - it turns out to have been a bad power supply - a quick search on eBay found one for 180.00 and now it's up and running again...

I know I'll have to update the computer someday, so I'll save my pennies. Until then, it's nice to have a slow, chugging-along, but super faithful and hardy friend back. It's nice to know I can still get work done on this donkey-cart...

Thanks again for all the advise.
Cory