#304483 - 05/12/2007 13:51
Re: G5 freezing in OS X 10.5
[Re: robricc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Quote:
I will load this firmware tonight, but I don't know why that couldn't have been done automatically. Since there are so few possible Apple configurations relative to a PC, couldn't the OS automatically update the firmware without much trouble?
The instructions say:
Quote:
Before updating, shut down the computer, then temporarily remove any non-Apple memory (RAM).
Once you have successfully applied the Firmware Update, you can reinstall any extra RAM.
I'm thinking that they're scared that whatever incompatibility exists between the existing firmware and the RAM could screw up the firmware upload, probably bricking your computer, or at least putting it in an unbootable state, even if it is recoverable.
Since an automatic update can't remove memory from your system, that's probably why they wouldn't want to autoinstall it.
That said, I have absolutely no idea if firmware updates without this problem are automatically installed. Somehow I doubt it. That's one of those things that you really ought to pay close attention to.
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Bitt Faulk
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#304484 - 05/12/2007 14:40
Re: G5 freezing in OS X 10.5
[Re: wfaulk]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
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Quote:
That said, I have absolutely no idea if firmware updates without this problem are automatically installed. Somehow I doubt it. That's one of those things that you really ought to pay close attention to.
While they aren't automatically installed, Software Update in OS X has downloaded new firmware for my MacBook Pro on several occasions, then started the program that provided me the instructions for the update. This included EFI updates, battery firmware, and SMB firmware. Not sure why the G5 doesn't see firmware updates via this method. I don't know if they only recently started this, as my previous Powerbook never had a firmware update during it's lifetime.
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#304485 - 07/12/2007 01:45
Re: G5 freezing in OS X 10.5
[Re: drakino]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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Tiger crashes in the same way as Leopard, so the OS is probably not the problem. I took the bluetooth dongle out to see if that was the culprit. Nope. I replaced the Logitech mouse with the Apple Pro Mouse. No crash yet, but I don't have a lot of faith in that solution.
The computer will lock up for no reason, but not usually when just sitting idle. If this were a PC, I could just throw parts at it until it became stable. Since it's a Mac, I have no idea what the hell to do. Are there any other suggestions? I'm basically at the end of my rope with this box. It would be a shame to trash something that looks so nice.
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-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#304486 - 07/12/2007 02:38
Re: G5 freezing in OS X 10.5
[Re: robricc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
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Any Apple authorized repair shop, including online ones, should be able to order parts for it. Any luck testing the memory, or trying the original memory?
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#304487 - 07/12/2007 02:44
Re: G5 freezing in OS X 10.5
[Re: robricc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Earlier, you said this: Quote:
It's the stock 64MB nVidia model that seem to work fine in the older OS.
Now that the older OS is failing, too, I'd take a look at that again, assuming I'm correct in that it locks up and doesn't ever get around to actually crashing.
I know you said that the whole system locked up and not just the video, but I've seen instances where a bad video card would cause those symptoms.
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Bitt Faulk
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#304488 - 07/12/2007 02:59
Re: G5 freezing in OS X 10.5
[Re: drakino]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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I tried new modules (different brand) and the system also froze with those. I can test the memory in a PC if I need to. I just don't have the appropriate PC at home, so I have to remember to take something home from work some day. I will make a note on my phone.
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-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#304489 - 07/12/2007 03:08
Re: G5 freezing in OS X 10.5
[Re: wfaulk]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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unfortunately, video cards with Mac firmware are incredibly expensive compared to a PC card. I only have this one card and I'm reluctant to throw more money at this machine.
I sold my dual core Opteron box with four 400GB drives and 2GB of ram for less than what I have into the G5 at this point. I'm going to have to cut my losses soon. Not to mention the ridiculous amount of time I've spent on it the past couple weeks.
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-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#304490 - 07/12/2007 12:46
Re: G5 freezing in OS X 10.5
[Re: robricc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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After thinking it over, the G5 just isn't worth the hassle. It's almost 5 years old, it's an architecture that's been forgotten, it's not especially quiet, and it's not especially energy efficient. If I'm wrong, please correct me.
When I received the machine, it had Panther loaded and contained all original hardware. My assumption is that if I return it to that state, it's going to just work and I can sell it on ebay. G5s seem to fetch a decent price still, so I can parlay that money into something else. I don't need another Mac, but it would have been an interesting change of pace. I could probably get a Mac Mini, but then I'd have to dump my dual monitor setup and get an external RAID box.
I have a couple Compaq 2.8GHz P4 small form factor machines that I picked up for $200 with legit Windows XP Pro licenses. It's likely I'll just put one of those to use.
Thanks for the help on the G5. It's a shame it didn't work out.
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#304491 - 07/12/2007 14:13
Re: G5 freezing in OS X 10.5
[Re: robricc]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 06/02/2002
Posts: 1904
Loc: Leeds, UK
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Just a quick question, I have been following this thread and was interested in what the problem may be, but not being able to offer help I just lurked. Do you need a special version of the graphics card for it to work in the G5? Couldn't you just dump in any old card and see what happens? Shouldn't it work even in a basic mode which would allow testing to happen ??? Just a thought. It seems a shame to give up now  Cheers Cris.
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#304492 - 07/12/2007 14:34
Re: G5 freezing in OS X 10.5
[Re: Cris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
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Quote:
Do you need a special version of the graphics card for it to work in the G5? Couldn't you just dump in any old card and see what happens? Shouldn't it work even in a basic mode which would allow testing to happen ???
Every computer needs a "special" video card that has firmware that interacts with the firmware on the mainboard to be able to display anything prior to the OS taking over. Intel based PCs from most manufacturers use a video card capable of talking to the BIOS, newer machines like Apples Intel Macs have video cards capable of talking to EFI, PowerPC Macs have firmware capable of talking to Open Firmware, and so on. Some video cards have the capability of working with multiple systems, but for now they are rare. I think newer video cards are mostly shipping with both EFI and BIOS compatibility, but the thing that then hampers you from putting an EFI card into a newer Intel Mac is lack of OS drivers.
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