MetroMac Forums: One of 2 CPUs Not Functioning - MetroMac Forums

During at least the past few months, it has seemed that the computer at times responds really slowly. I recently switched to Verizon FiOS service also, so figured that slow internet, at least, was a thing of the past.

I'm running a PowerPC G5, Dual 2.5 GHz processors, with 5.5 G RAM. Two hard drives, a 750 and the original 160. No other modifications. Among other visible evidence, satellite viewing of maps takes forever for each picture segment to sharpen up. I am however using a 28 inch monitor which may take more power, but even at maximum power (Processor Performance level is adjustable on this unit) I am getting frustrated. I just happened recently to run ASProfiler, and clearly see that the number of CPUs is ONE. All my RAM is listed, plus all other features.

I've run some system utilities; although I don't know for sure if I have one to diagnose anything about processors. I have mislaid my Apple Hardware Test CD, which I've used in the past. It is around, just hiding. I do have a brand-new PRAM battery, though it's not yet installed.

During recent lightning storms, my APC UPS battery seems to have failed, and one time the G5 was instantly shut down (I'm sure I don't have the APC unit programmed properly for battery backup anyway) but I cannot pin the 'missing CPU' problem on power surges for sure. I believe it occurred before that.

I don't know if I've missed something very basic, or if I have a permanently bad situation on my hands.

And I'm hoping that your collective wisdom & experience may offer me some insight into what may have happened.

Thanks!!
Paul

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Dunxdad, on 13 August 2011 - 06:54 PM, said:

Hi Paul,

I think you got caught up in unrelated minutia which is everything you mentioned other than fact that you see only one CPU listed where I assume you know for fact that you once saw two. Generally hardware stops working if any part stops working so I am not sure if the Mac would even work with just one CPU but G5's were peculiar in that way.

I have a G5 tower Dual processor (listed as Quad) and it lists that info right there when you first go to ABOUT THIS MAC and then in more detail in Profiler. To remove question of OS problems boot from a known good OS on a CD, DVD or Firewire drive and see what shows up in Profiler info too.

Maybe you can download an older version of TechTool Pro that will run in demo mode for your older machine?

You can also open it up and make sure all cards are seated properly. Beyond that, no repair work will make financial sense in my opinion. Just do a search for used Mac prices at see value of computer.

Bottom line, if it is not software related and it is indeed hardware and not just a loose part, it most likely is time to buy something else but you can do the math too If repair cost is close to same replacement cost for computer which is SO limited now being a non-INTEL machine, you are wasting your time, money and frustration on something so end of life. You can not install current versions of ANY major software package.

A new Mac Mini would be the cheapest and best value and will spin circles around the G5 by ten times or more * Make sure you consider software compatibility too.

_Peter

* not scientific fact, just emphasizing it will be MUCH faster than your G5 for a bargain price, in my opinion

DEAR PETER,
Sorry it has taken this long. Been away, and literally I then had to move much equipment to be able to open the G5. Everything inside is clean & tight. Liquid cooling never leaked. I did install the new battery, and have not been at all able to figure out anything. I use Time Machine, but I don't know I would find anything there to "restore" a processor to life. And I booted from a firewire drive, also noticing nothing. Ran the Apple Hdwe Test, which proved nada except it could take over 2.5 hours to do that.

Just tonight it got stuck in [what I thought was] sleep mode during dinner, time & screen frozen, etc, and I had to hit power switch. Not unusual. Few yrs back the fans were running like a jet engine one time - I heard it from 2 rooms away - and I think it was since then that I couldn't sleep the machine anymore. The white lamp never again varied its output as during sleep it should have. But I still had both CPUs.

Earlier I tried to edit a photo, and it took many seconds for an adjustment (in either Preview or iPhoto) to incrementally arrive at the setting I had selected. This is the greatest constant problem. I'll be moving another control not realizing that my previous adjustment hasn't yet been made. Infuriating. And I'm just now getting seriously into photo editing for printing.

WRT a Mini (anything more costly impossible now), would I be able to truly do photographic work on a large monitor with its power?? (Yes, you did seem to imply).
And, would I be able to take out my newer, bigger drive (750GB) and run it as an external drive with the Mini. It's a Hitachi UltraStar with 3 or 4 years left on its warranty (the reason I ordered it).

Thank you for your patience!

Paul

Dunxdad, on 25 September 2011 - 11:07 PM, said:

Depending on what you call a large image and how big the file is and how many layers it is, a Mini with 8 gigs could certainly be used but of course, a Mac Pro with 32 gigs and 12 core (or whatever it is up to now) could do even bigger images with more layers in faster time. You COULD do a test at an Apple store.

The i7 Chip in the Mini is not the same i7 as in the iMac but it certainly IS a huge improvement over the previous chip offering. I would be less hesitant to suggest you can easily
use the iMac for your needs but the Mini MAY be adequate depending on your needs.

Yes, you can take out the drive from the G5 and put in an external FW 800 case and you can look at offerings from Other World Computing as to bare cases for this use online or Tekserve may have cases in stock too but not sure. Drives are not that expensive now so don't get trapped by the warranty.


I would not want you to spend any more money on the G5 though no matter what and think the new Mini would be a much better fit if I was in your shoes.

-Peter