Posted: 3/17/2008 12:24:19 PM EDT
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Ok, first off, I'm sure I'm going to start a shitstorm of mac bashing. But I know that there's at least a few mac users here who might know how to fix this problem. Last night I was working on my 17" iMac G5 (the non-intel one with iSight) and the screen went haywire. I've tried unplugging everything, restarting from the install disc, restarting while holding down Option + Command + P + R and nothing seems to work. Here are some photos of what the screen looks like: Restarting from Install Disc:  Normal Startup:  Then it freezes like this:  Anyone have any idea what would cause this? Is it a software or hardware issue? I'm thinking that maybe the video card or (ug) maybe the logic board got fried? Any insight would be appreciated. |
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if the screen looks like that when you try to boot from the install cd/dvd, it is most likely hardware. i'm about 90% sure i've seen that problem before. see if this applies to you. docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302181-en |
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As already mentioned, that looks like a Kernel Panic. Not good. My PowerBook had one of those and the whole motherboard got swapped out (extended warranty is a Godsend). It just up and started all of a sudden. VERY bad.  I agree with those saying to take it to a Mac Store. You can also try calling Apple Support, but I don't know what's available outside of warranty. |
| Thats not a kernel panic, it does appear that you are most likely having a logic board failure. Take it the an apple store genius bar when you get a chance. Around the time that that computer was being made there were a lot of issues with counterfeit capacitors from china being sold as legit quality ones from japan, they ended up in a lot of computer components and failed after a couple of years. I had a power supply failure in a 20" G5 imac because of it that apple fixed for free two years out of warranty. |
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Try booting with opt+cmd+n+v. My G4 iMac gets a similar problem from time to time--usually not the whole screen, but parts of it--and I usually can boot from CD, repair permissions and get it working again. The PC was probably 4+ years old when I first had an issue--long past warranty time. |
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It might be as simple as your monitor connection. I've seen similar occur when the connection is not screwed down tight and it works slowly loose. The other issue might be the proprietary monitor adaptor. Those sometimes go loose or bad. My bet is on the video card. |
Yup, it happened to me. 20" iMac G5 purchased Dec. 2004. Open up the case and look at the logic board. If you see a whole bunch of burst capacitors, I sure hope you still have a warranty. They replaced the board, HD drive, and power supply.  Flame suit on for Mac haters.
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I doubt that. If it were just the monitor, the system would still load up, even if it looked crappy. |