Author Topic: My computer is dying...  (Read 2022 times)

Offline kcourt

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My computer is dying...
« on: September 04, 2009, 06:20:36 PM »
pc.gif  I have the original G5 tower - had it for over five years  - and it finally is saying its goodbyes.  It won't work in sleep mode anymore so I have to shut it down all the way and hope that it reconnects with the internet when I start it up again. Also, it is starting to make some strange noises and sometimes the mouse freezes up.

I had to wait two days to take it to the genius bar - we have about five stores in my area and a couple would have me waiting until next week.  Anyway, he found some corrupted ram and so he took that out and sent me on my way, with 1.5 GB remaining. He said it could die anytime cause it is so old, and I think that is what is happening.  inspect.gif

I ordered a new iMac computer from MacConnection yesterday - no S&H or tax so I saved a chunk of money. They have a $100 rebate on it.  I also bought a larger hub and it had a $10.00 rebate.

Hope it will last until the new computer comes - they say the speed is really great on the new iMac.  I ordered the iMac 24" 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 4GB RAM 1TB HD SuperDrive NVIDIA GeForce GT 130.

Can't wait. Fortunately, I have everything backed up with Time Machine so I shouldn't have much trouble setting it up.

Will let you know when it arrives.

Kathy flower-smilie.gif
« Last Edit: September 04, 2009, 07:06:16 PM by kbeartx »
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Offline Paddy

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My computer is dying...
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2009, 07:51:29 PM »
VERY nice, Kathy!! I'm sure you'll love the new iMac. biggrin.gif

But Kathy...I don't think that "genius" was much of a genius!!!!!!

From xlr8yourmac.com:
QUOTE
(added June 8, 2009)
"Shortly after Apple Care expired my Power Mac G5 (Dual 2.7 GHz; early 2005) experienced various problems (e.g., non wake from sleep; sleep to run-away fan; loud fan; etc.). No coolant leak was initially observed.
After a loud "pop" and the smell of burnt components the G5 was "toast" (and coolant was clearly observed).
At a local Apple Store I was helped by a very efficient Apple 'Genius' and after consultation with his store manager I was informed that repairs would be completed at no cost. The repair invoice listed the following: Power supply, Logic Board H, Multiprocessor 2.7, and Hardware Repair Level-2.
Apple displayed laudatory customer service--thank you Apple!
-Dan K."


Read more here: http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/G5_coolant_leaks.html (read the whole thread - I'm not the only one who got a replacement!!*)

With the symptoms you've experienced, it sounds like a leak...I'm assuming here that if you've had that machine for 5 years that it's one of the liquid cooled G5's?? (the only other 2.5GHz G5s were quad processors and came out in Oct. 2005) If it's one of the liquid cooled models, Apple is repairing those free of charge (or replacing them, as they did mine, if you're lucky) if your problems are due to leakage of the coolant. If it is now behaving itself, then fine - no problem. But if you continue to hear funny noises or have strange behavior consistent with logic board failure, I'd take it to the nearest Apple authorized repair shop and ask them to look for signs of leakage and tell them you suspect that there may be a problem. The leakage generally affects the logic board and sometimes the power supply. In my case Apple would have had to replace both ($1700) and the logic board was backordered according to my repair shop.

IF you do end up taking it in and they do find leakage, make sure that they are aware that this is something that Apple has been repairing at no charge even though these machines are out of warranty. When I took mine into the shop in November last year, they weren't aware that Apple was repairing them for free and I think the guy thought I was nuts when he said "I've got bad news - you've got a leak and need a new logic board" and I responded "Hallelujah!" wink.gif

You'll probably need to get on the phone yourself once it's diagnosed - get an Apple case number and probably escalate it to second tier support unless the 1st level are now aware of the repair program. It's not an "official" repair program, btw - you won't find anything on Apple's web site about it. But you can certainly cite all the cases at xlr8yourmac.com and mine too, if you want to.

*Note: I'm the person who had to sign the NDA referred to by Mike...I'm not a "he". wink.gif
« Last Edit: September 04, 2009, 08:34:13 PM by Paddy »
"If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into committees. That'll do them in." ~Author unknown •iMac 5K, 27" 3.6Ghz i9 (2019) • 16" M1 MBP(2021) • 9.7" iPad Pro • iPhone 13

Online jchuzi

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My computer is dying...
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2009, 09:12:30 AM »
Good luck with the new computer. I, too, question the knowledge of the "genius". Strange noises can emanate from a failing hard drive and that's cheaper to replace than the whole computer. If you are sufficiently curious, visit http://datacent.com/hard_drive_sounds.php and listen in case something "rings a bell".
Jon

macOS 11.7.10, iMac Retina 5K 27-inch, late 2014, 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 1 TB fusion drive, 16 GB RAM, Epson SureColor P700, Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC, MS Office 365

Offline iGuy

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My computer is dying...
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2009, 03:21:33 PM »
QUOTE
When I took mine into the shop in November last year, they weren't aware that Apple was repairing them for free and I think the guy thought I was nuts when he said "I've got bad news - you've got a leak and need a new logic board" and I responded "Hallelujah!"


I like that one, Paddy!  You are a customer who had done her homework.  Have you considered the a job as a "genius"?

Ryan

Offline Paddy

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My computer is dying...
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2009, 10:58:27 PM »
QUOTE
Have you considered the a job as a "genius"?


I don't think I'd have the patience for it...I think computer customer support requires the patience of a saint (if done well, of course). wink.gif
"If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into committees. That'll do them in." ~Author unknown •iMac 5K, 27" 3.6Ghz i9 (2019) • 16" M1 MBP(2021) • 9.7" iPad Pro • iPhone 13

Offline turtlehills

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My computer is dying...
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2009, 10:43:10 PM »
Hi "Kathy",

Isn't it nice to have Tech Survivors looking out for you  sweatingbullets.gif even when it comes to the "geniuses" at the Mac Store?

I hope you enjoy your new computer!  And I hope you let your daughter try it out when she comes to visit.  rolleyes.gif

Turtle Hills

Offline kcourt

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My computer is dying...
« Reply #6 on: September 08, 2009, 03:55:30 PM »
thanx.gif for all of your comments.

The "genius" actually checked for leaking coolant and found none.  Now that I have ordered my new iMac, which should arrive Friday, I am excited, and am glad I won't have to carry that heavy tower around anymore.  toothgrin.gif  

why-me.gif  This is the first day I have been able to get on the internet for three days so am almost afraid to turn it off for fear of not getting back on again.

 pc.gif I will keep this computer and put it in the guest room and maybe use it to watch movies.  When the computer finally dies, I can put my nice monitor on the wall and get a connector to have two screens, since this one is the nice 30" apple cinema screen.


Kathy flower-smilie.gif


P.S. Turtlehills, next time you visit you can try out my new computer!  whistling.gif

Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly....
Leave the rest to God