[NTLK] [OT] ::::::: G4 PowerMac Troubleshoting :::::::::

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THIS POST IS OBVIOUSLY OFF TOPIC, BUT I COULD USE A
 FRESH PERSPECTIVE IF ANYONE HAS ANY BRILLIANT IDEAS
  FOR MY NEXT ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS G4.

I'm troubleshooting a G4 PowerMac to breath life into it
 but so far still plodding through the steps.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

HERE'S THE DEAL.......
 System can not "see" any boot drives.
  Getting stuck at the
   flashing "?" and "Yin/Yan mac face folder,
    no matter what I've tried so far.

HERE ARE MY NOTES:

PowerMac G4, Blueface front, Family: M5183 desktop system.

FAMILY M5183 G4 PowerMac
G4 400 MHZ/1M CACHE 64MB SDRAM 10GB HD EMC:1832
MAC/ETHERNET: 00:50:E4:59:49:56

____________________________________________________
PROBLEM: Powering on the box yields the screen display to
 alternately flash "?" and "Yin/Yan mac face folder", then nothing more.
____________________________________________________

TEST NOTES:

01) Removed the existing DVD drive from the G4, as was told box wouldn't
boot from an OSX DVD.
02) Installed a different [used] internal Mac DVD R/W.
03) Found the eject button for the new DVD drive right behind the flap-
down door.
04) Can totally control the DVD tray to eject and retract it via the button.
05) PRAMED 3x the G4 from the keyboard, i.e., keyboard and PRAMING work.
06) Next placed a 10.4.8 boot install DVD 7 and also Classic v9 CD into
the DVD tray.
07) Can hear the DVD drive spinning up, but nothing more.
08) Next hard powered down system
09) Waited a minute.
10) Tried booting by powering on; screen goes to flashing "?" and "Yin/
Yan mac face folder"
11) Tried booting by holding down the "option" key to get to the
"choose" boot drive screen.
12) Tried booting by holding down the "c" key
13) Tried booting by holding down the mouse
15) Replugged all the RAM chips
16) Replugged all the ribbon cables
17) Will replug all the internal cables
18) Tried a various other different internal bootable hard drives
19) Installed new motherboard battery
20) Tried not pushing the motherboard post-battery reset button, and booted
21) Pushed the button one time, and booted
22) Retested all prior steps again

==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
STILL NO IMPROVEMENT; G4 BOOTS ONLY TO THE flashing "?" and "Yin/Yan mac
face folder"
 . . . . meaning the system still can't find a valid boot drive, hard
or optical.

STILL though, holding down the OPTION key will NOT elicit the booting
choice interface so can't even boot from and external firewire drive!

==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====

Next will TRY the COMMAND-OPTION O-F Key-combo but have not had time.
Will also try a few more hard drives, check all internal plugged cables
of all types and replug all, etc.
Will also try a new hard drive RIBBON CABLE.
I am loosing my hair pulling at it, LOL.
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====

Serial XA937 12ZH70
Family M5183
00:50:E4:59:49:56

FAMILY M5183 G4 PowerMac
G4 400 MHZ/1M CACHE 64MB SDRAM 10GB HD EMC:1832
MAC/ETHERNET: 00:50:E4:59:49:56
____________________________________________________

In advance, many thanks again.
I will Prevail !!!!

John

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