A short while ago, one of the Power Mac G5 editing systems at work stopped working. My first response was to run the Apple Hardware Test, which revealed a problem with the video card. We called AppleCare, who dispatched a technician to take care of the problem. Much to our surprise, the cause of the graphic card failure turned out to be quite unexpected, as shown in this video. Who would have thought that the cooling technology uses in this digital age machne would be the cause its own near-death experience, a reminder of the value of AppleCare protection for your Macintosh, and that in rare cases Macs can eat themselves from the inside.
The video was shot casually in a matter of minutes with a Canon PowerShot S410 digital still camera in movie mode and edited using Final Cut Pro on the train ride from Boston to New York on the way to Podcamp NYC. Once I got to Podcamp, I uploaded the video to blip.tv thanks to the WiFi access provided by UrbanHotspots. Piano performed by Howard Apley.
Oh dear. I hope my Power Mac G5 was not listening while I played your video on it!!!! And Jay is my hero!!! I’ve had to use his services, too, and he was great. It’s a small, small MacWorld…..
Yikes! I have to say my Dual 2.7 looks worse than that though. My AppleCare was purchased seperately, and looks like it was never registered properly, as it doesn’t show on Apple Support. The purchase date is incorrect too, so that may be part of the problem….
Well, the story is not too different from that of my dual 2.5 GHz G5. Took my Mac to the Apple Store in Tucson, who in turn recommended an authorized Mac Service Center because “They’re a lot faster” and he estimated 3 – 5 days before they could even “look at” my dead G5. The great service guy, Wayne, at Simutek diagnosed the problem within an hour after I dropped off the machine. He ordered the part that day from Apple, and was told it would be shipped the next day. Not bad, eh?
Well, Apple didn’t ship the replacement the next day. In fact, it’s been over a week, and “estimated ship dates” have been July 24, July 29, and now July 30. Wayne did what he could from his end right fromt he get-go to “escalate” the urgency status of the part order, and he kept me informed of the changing dates. I personally contacted a supervisor, essica, at Apple today and was told that the part would ship tomorrow. When I questioned her as to whether the part would really ship or not, she stated, “I can’t say if it’s going to ship tomorrow, or if it’s not going to ship tomorrow.” In fact, she doesn’t know if there really is a G5 dual CPU unit in stock ANYWHERE at Apple that can be shipped. Jessica stated that she put out a “48 hour Global Search” and that I should have a shipment date within 48 hours, but probably by tomorrow afternoon or the following morning. When I then askked her if the previous ship date that she gave me of tomorrow (the 30th) was meaningless, she insisted it was not! But she also insisted that I not quote anything she said or she would “no longer be able to help” me. yea, right.
The G5 CPU Leak problem has been a much bigger problem than most people are aware of.
For more, check out:
http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/powermacg5/topic4243.html
I’m a long-time Apple academic/business customer, but at times like this, I wish I had a Dell and could order a replacement part from a dozen different suppliers. I also with my OS X Server had Intel Inside. Apple’s service (including those I talked to at Apple) has sucked. I am glad that I get straight answers from the service guy at Simutek. The one bright light in the whole ugly mess.
–Rich
I had the same issue. I was out of warranty (24 or 25 months from purchase) and had no Apple care. I needed a replacement ASAP so I just ordered up a new Intel machine. However yesterday I called Apple and convinced them to repair it on their dollar. I think the problem has become so common that if you call and complain, they’ll take care of it. So if this happens to your dual G5 call Apple and yell at them. It’s worth the time on hold.
Well, on Aug 15, Apple agreed to replace the G5 with a MacPro base model (not including the RAM I had added, totalling 4 GB).
The fried parts ultimately included the CPUs/cooling system, the power supply, the main logic board, the video card, and… the chassis, complete with toasted sensors. The last item could not be shipped until (est.) OCTOBER 5. Given that very delayed estimated ship date, Apple relented and agreed to replace the machine.
It is unfortunate that you really have to play hard against Apple Customer Relations to have this problem addressed adequately. The leaking CPU cooling system is clearly a design flaw. Apple has created some very hostile and angry customers from the ranks of former loyal Apple evangelists.
I’m waiting for someone to make a YouTube video spin-off of one of Apple’s commercials, featuring the corrosive, coolant-leaking Mac G5.
–Rich
Well I use or USED mine to produce music, good thing I wasn’t in the middle of a track, that would have made me mad. Mine isn’t leaking but it will after I smash it on the ground. I get the typical press the power button and fans come on but nothing happens. Before this it was acting up but not coming on right away, you would have to turn it off, then back on a few times. The light on the studio display and case came on at one time, until I reset the PMU now all you hear are fans. It’s a shame I had to put logic on a G3 mac I had laying around. pretty sad it lasted longer than a 3 year old 3,000 computer.
It is not only G5 who has leak problems… Macbook too.. one year after purchase!
J’entend une sorte de bruit de bulles qui éclatent, pendant la nuit, et le lendemain matin, mon ordinateur ne veut plus démarrer. J’essai de trouver le problème qui l’empêche de fonctionner, et après une journée de recherche intensive, je trouve le problème… fuite de liquide dans la prise d’une carte de mémoire. Et cela seulement un an après l’achat de mon ordinateur portable. Il m’est toutefois toujours possible de le faire fonctionner, en enlevant la carte de mémoire souillée, mais il reste que j’ai peur que le liquide continue de se répendre et qu’il fasse oxider des composantes importantes de mon ordinateur. Le pire, c’est que j’appelle un réparateur d’Apple, et il me dit que c’est assez fréquent comme problème!! Pas fort fort
English Translation (courtesy of Google Language Tools):
I hear some kind of noise bubble that burst during the night and the next morning, my computer does not start. I am trying to find a problem that prevents them from working, and after a day of intensive research, I find the problem … Fluid leak in the making of a memory card. And that only a year after buying my laptop. It is, however, always possible to make it work, by removing the memory card fouled, but the fact remains that I am afraid that liquid continues staked to and make oxider important components of my computer. The worst thing is that I call a repairman Apple, and he says it is not uncommon as a problem! Not very strong