Techsurvivors

Archives => 2009 => Topic started by: ericsson93 on October 30, 2009, 06:28:33 PM

Title: Dead Mac Puzzle Problem
Post by: ericsson93 on October 30, 2009, 06:28:33 PM
As if the G4 Quicksilver wasn't enough, another strange event has happened. I have three older Macs plugged in to one extension board, 6320, 7200/90, and a 5500/275 Director's Edition. I went to start the three of them up this morning and only the 5500 booted, the 7200 chimed but did not produce anything on the monitor, not even a signal. The most upsetting for me was my Performa 6320, (my beloved childhood computer, a present when I was nine, I'm now twenty-two) it was completely dead, nothing, no chime, no light. I pursued the usual procedure of PRAM, unnecessary component removal, the same symptoms prevail. Have I suffered a power surge?
Title: Dead Mac Puzzle Problem
Post by: Paddy on October 30, 2009, 08:29:06 PM
Maybe a power surge - or could be dead PRAM batteries. Odd that it would happen to both at the same time, but certainly worth checking.

Battery location info for various models here:

http://www.academ.com/info/macintosh/
Title: Dead Mac Puzzle Problem
Post by: ericsson93 on October 30, 2009, 09:46:29 PM
I recently did install a new PRAM battery in the Performa, also in the 5500 (from adopt a mac), I did try another just to check but still nothing. As for the 7200, it's still the same. I have a lot of 7200 spares, so I'll do a parts swap in the morning. I did remove the hard drive from the 6320 and installed it in the 5500, everything on there seems to be okay, started up first time. I checked the HDD with Norton as well as drive setup and disk first aid, they all said it was clear.

Could I be right in thinking the PSU might of gone in the Performa?

Off topic,
Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.
Also why does it say I'm a child poster? I thought that it might be because I have a low post count, however others don't seem to have this.
Title: Dead Mac Puzzle Problem
Post by: Xairbusdriver on October 30, 2009, 09:49:53 PM
Yep, lack of video is a normal sign of a dead battery. Maybe even not booting.

You might want to check the total amps for all those Macs and their monitors. They had smaller power supplies back then but the monitors are probably CRTs. All three set ups may be approaching the upper limits on that circuit. That could even create a low voltage situation if they all tried to start within seconds of each other. Just something else to worry about! wink.gif
Title: Dead Mac Puzzle Problem
Post by: kbeartx on October 30, 2009, 11:18:55 PM
QUOTE(ericsson93 @ Oct 30 2009, 09:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Also why does it say I'm a child poster? I thought that it might be because I have a low post count, however others don't seem to have this.


AFAIK, the designation 'Poster Child' is an indicator of the number of posts you have made so far.

[I'm not sure of the other levels and what number of posts one has to make in order to achieve each level]

I'm sure that Krissel or Paddy will come along soon and inform us about the particulars...

Kb cool.gif
Title: Dead Mac Puzzle Problem
Post by: Paddy on October 31, 2009, 12:26:28 AM
The post count determines what you are:

Poster Child - 0      
Poster  - 31      
Super Poster - 100
Super Duper Poster - 500
TS Addict - 1000
TS-oholic - 2500
Beyond help - 3000
TS Maven - 3500

You can enter your own custom title (I think...though you may not be able to do it quite yet.)  Both Kenny & Jim have custom ones.
Title: Dead Mac Puzzle Problem
Post by: krissel on October 31, 2009, 02:57:45 AM
QUOTE(ericsson93 @ Oct 30 2009, 07:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As if the G4 Quicksilver wasn't enough, another strange event has happened. I have three older Macs plugged in to one extension board, 6320, 7200/90, and a 5500/275 Director's Edition.


Hate to state the obvious but have you tried plugging them in elsewhere, individually?


(I just put my 6300 into the recycling pile last week... )


Regarding the "titles" under your username: the ability to choose your own descriptive name presently is reserved for those who have 500 or more posts.  
Actually I've been thinking for a while now that those categories could use a little refreshing... Thinking.gif
Title: Dead Mac Puzzle Problem
Post by: Jack W on October 31, 2009, 08:42:25 AM
welcome.gif ericsson93!

You'll find a lot of help here at TeeEss.

Good to have you aboard.

- Jack

P.S. Please note that my number of posts is almost as large as my member #.
A lot of those posts are problem postings, and the response to the help I have received here.
Great bunch of Admins and members.
Title: Dead Mac Puzzle Problem
Post by: ericsson93 on November 02, 2009, 04:37:02 AM
I have solved the 7200 problem, rather daft really, the contrast and brightness were turned down on the monitor blush-anim-cl.gif
The Performa has just blown it's fuse in the PSU. I took the old Quadra 630 case apart, I do love the way everything just seems slide out with Apple form factors, unfortunately the PSU was the last thing to be removed. I was quite surprised at it, it really is an archaic bit of kit. I'll post some pics if anyone is interested. One of the links you gave me Paddy was very useful as it contained an article about the Quadra 630 form factor
http://www.academ.com/info/macintosh/duff.shtml

Regarding plug boards and plug sockets, I use a plug tester. It looks like an ordinary three pin plug but with different lights that allow you diagnose any faults within the plug socket, such as if the wires are the wrong way round, lose, if the earth isn't correctly grounded or any other faults. I find it invaluable, especially before I'm about to plug in a new wide screen HD TV, or other expensive device.