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hrexroad
Member
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Posted: Sat Mar 10th, 2007 09:23 pm |
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hi everyone! i have a question hopefully someone can answer. I have a pismo g4/550 that has been chugging along happily for quite some time. But recently, it's developed a problem where occasionally it will fail its power-on self test. Acccording to the code given by the machine, checked with Apple's support site, says that 4 beeps means "no good boot ROM found" or something similar. It's definitely not the RAM as I have swapped it with known-good RAM and still get the same result.
The questions I have are these:
1. Can i simply replace the logic board in the pismo? Or is the Boot ROM located on the processor card?
2. If i replace the logic board, will there be some kind of firmware issues that need to be addressed? I can't recall if the pismo needed a firmware upgrade to make the g4 work so Im worried about replacing the logic board and having it not work because it is expecting a g3 chip.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer some tips.
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Gary
Administrator
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Posted: Mon Mar 12th, 2007 03:34 am |
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hrexroad wrote:
I have a pismo g4/550 that has been ... recently, it's developed a problem where occasionally it will fail its power-on self test .. 4 beeps means
The 4 beeps mean that your system is failing the Boot ROM checksum test. The Boot ROM is on the CPU card... the small "Sharp" brand BT chip. Normally a system either fails this test or passes it consistently. Rarely is the ROM failure an intermittent issue.
Try removing the CPU card. Be sure to remove the heatsink FIRST. Removing the CPU card and heatsink as a single piece (as suggested by Apple) will often "crack" the larger G4 CPU core.
Wipe the grease and check for a small chipped corner on the metallic-like core. If chipped, then this is most likely the issue. The failure tone is actually due to CPU failure. If the CPU core corners and edges are perfect, then Good!
If the CPU is good, inspect the sawtooth connector (that's the retangular beige connector used to connect the CPU to the logic board). Look for a break in the pattern of the copper pins. This break is a bent pin. Straighten the pin and your issue will most likely clear up.
If the sawtooth connector is good, then check the pins around the ROM on the CPU card. look for any "trash" that may be causing a short. Scrup with alcohol and let dry.
If all looks good, then you most likely simply have a ROM on its way out. Daystar can replace. To copy the ROM and replace is the CPU card repair rate of $60 plus $30 for the ROM.
You can enter an order at:
http://daystar-store.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=86
____________________
Gary Dailey
Daystar Technology
http://Daystar-Tech.com, http://Daystar-Store.com
email: gary@daystartechnology.com, chat: garydailey@mac.com
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hrexroad
Member
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Posted: Sat May 5th, 2007 07:03 am |
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Hi Gary!
Thanks for your reply. I reseated the processor after my first posting and it worked for a few weeks. After a while though it happened again. This time i took off the heatsink and cleaned off the thermal paste and sure enough, there seems to be two tiny chips on two corners of the processor. I guess it's done for then? What are my options at this point? Is the only thing to do a replacement? How much would that run, and is it even possible?
Thanks for your time.
-Henry
Last edited on Sat May 5th, 2007 07:13 am by hrexroad
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Gary
Administrator
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Posted: Sat May 5th, 2007 02:43 pm |
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At this point, the only choice is to change out the CPU.
We can handle it for $221 parts and labor.
____________________
Gary Dailey
Daystar Technology
http://Daystar-Tech.com, http://Daystar-Store.com
email: gary@daystartechnology.com, chat: garydailey@mac.com
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hrexroad
Member
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Posted: Tue May 8th, 2007 08:04 am |
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Hi Gary!
Thanks again for your reply. A few more questions. 1. Will I need to ship in the entire powerbook, or just the CPU card? I still have my original box from when I got the machine upgraded originally so shipping the whole thing is not a problem if its necessary. 2. I should point out that the CPU was a 550mhz instead of the 500. Will that change the cost for replacement & repair? Lastly, how do i go about ordering/paying for the service?
Thanks again for all your help.
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Gary
Administrator
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Posted: Tue May 8th, 2007 07:53 pm |
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hrexroad wrote:
1. Will I need to ship in the entire powerbook, or just the CPU card? 2. I should point out that the CPU was a 550mhz instead of the 500.
You can send the CPU card only. If you send the whole unit, we will check it out from head to toe. Detail it and provide a free diagnostic on any possible issues noted. In either case, our Apple Ceritified Technicans will handle your issue with the highest quality available.
The 550 uses the 500 CPU. We just use a special application profile for use at 550. Same price.
You can order service direct on our store.
To order service sending in the card only, use the link below.
http://daystar-store.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=86
To order service sending in the whole PowerBook, use the link below.
http://daystar-store.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=172
Please be sure to reference (or print and include) this thread with your order.
____________________
Gary Dailey
Daystar Technology
http://Daystar-Tech.com, http://Daystar-Store.com
email: gary@daystartechnology.com, chat: garydailey@mac.com
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