G3 dying?

RattNet · 11-04-2009, 07:50 PM

I have a blue and white G3 tower which I use to scan using my scsi scanner. All of a sudden, I got some crazy magenta lines all over the screen. As I would click and move windows around the desktop, it would look as if I was "wiping away" the magenta but only for it to reappear. I tried a different power cable for the monitor (an old 77lb. Sony trinitron 500PS) which did not help. I saw there were black dotted lines running vertically on the start-up screen, then back to magenta once all booted up. So I plugged in my G5 desktop to the monitor and the problem was gone. Granted, I didn't let the Sony monitor-to-G5 system sit; i merely plugged in, started up, opened a couple windows, and shut down. So, anyone know what my next step can be to try to fix this? Or is my G3 a goner?

Las_Vegas · 11-04-2009, 09:17 PM

Your G3's Video card is dying. You need any Mac compatible PCI video card. Take a look on Ebay. You'll find quite a few at very reasonable prices.

RattNet · 11-04-2009, 10:36 PM

Ok, thanks, that makes sense...

leamanc · 11-05-2009, 11:43 AM

And you've got to make the decision whether keeping that G3 alive is worth sinking any money in to. Remember, it's 10 years old this year. When it was new, a 10-year-old Mac was an SE/30...so would you have sunk much money into fixing an SE/30 when your Blue&White was new?

RattNet · 11-05-2009, 12:50 PM

Sure, if I found the $12 part I needed. Much less expensive than buying a newer computer!

RattNet · 11-15-2009, 03:17 PM

Hello,
I posted this about a week ago:
"I have a blue and white G3 tower which I use to scan using my scsi scanner. All of a sudden, I got some crazy magenta lines all over the screen. As I would click and move windows around the desktop, it would look as if I was "wiping away" the magenta but only for it to reappear. I tried a different power cable for the monitor (an old 77lb. Sony trinitron 500PS) which did not help. I saw there were black dotted lines running vertically on the start-up screen, then back to magenta once all booted up. So I plugged in my G5 desktop to the monitor and the problem was gone. Granted, I didn't let the Sony monitor-to-G5 system sit; i merely plugged in, started up, opened a couple windows, and shut down. So, anyone know what my next step can be to try to fix this? Or is my G3 a goner?"

Response:

"Your G3's Video card is dying. You need any Mac compatible PCI video card. Take a look on Ebay. You'll find quite a few at very reasonable prices."

So, I got a new video card, it worked the first time I booted up but the next time I had no screen image. The computer chimed, sounded like it was working, but nothing on the monitor. So I switched back to my old video card but same thing. So I plugged the Sony monitor into my other computer (Powermac G5) and it works fine. I have tried reseating the new video card in the G3, unplugging and replugging everything but to no avail. What should I do?!?!?
Thanks!

hayne · 11-15-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RattNet


	I posted this about a week ago:

I merged your new thread into the existing one (that you referred to). Please don't start new threads when one on the topic already exists.

RattNet · 11-15-2009, 03:56 PM

Oh ok, sorry, I didn't know...

trevor · 11-16-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RattNet


	So, I got a new video card, it worked the first time I booted up but the next time I had no screen image. The computer chimed, sounded like it was working, but nothing on the monitor.

Please tell us in exhaustingly complete detail everything you know about what video card the new one is.

Trevor

RattNet · 11-16-2009, 09:14 PM

It is an ATI Rage 128, apple part # 630-2896, ATI p/n 1025740700 001393. On the top side, with the gold teeth facing up, and the outlet on my right, there is a silver box that says "CXO-52B 29.498MHz F.E.I.". Then in the little black box below and slightly to the right there is a sticker on that which says, "R128 57407". This is the ebay listing description:
ATI Rage 128 PCI Video card

16 Meg Vram

15 pin VGA Connection

Works with OS 9.0 and 10.x

Compatible with all G3 and G4 tower units

Is that enough info? I mean, I did some research before I bought it. But I would be relieved (if not frustrated) if the new card just isn't compatible.
Thanks!

Las_Vegas · 11-16-2009, 10:42 PM

Verify that your video cable hasn't come loose on the back. Also make sure that the card is fully seated into the slot. Zap the PRAM (Hold down command-option-P-R on startup until it chimes 4 times). You should at the very least get a gray screen before Mac OS changes the resolution.

11-04-2009, 07:50 PM	#1
RattNet Prospect Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 16	G3 dying? I have a blue and white G3 tower which I use to scan using my scsi scanner. All of a sudden, I got some crazy magenta lines all over the screen. As I would click and move windows around the desktop, it would look as if I was "wiping away" the magenta but only for it to reappear. I tried a different power cable for the monitor (an old 77lb. Sony trinitron 500PS) which did not help. I saw there were black dotted lines running vertically on the start-up screen, then back to magenta once all booted up. So I plugged in my G5 desktop to the monitor and the problem was gone. Granted, I didn't let the Sony monitor-to-G5 system sit; i merely plugged in, started up, opened a couple windows, and shut down. So, anyone know what my next step can be to try to fix this? Or is my G3 a goner? Last edited by RattNet; 11-04-2009 at 08:26 PM.

11-04-2009, 09:17 PM	#2
Las_Vegas League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 5,845	Your G3's Video card is dying. You need any Mac compatible PCI video card. Take a look on Ebay. You'll find quite a few at very reasonable prices. __________________ Las_Vegas -- Ts'i mahnu uterna ot twan ot geifur hingts uto. -- Sometimes I wonder… Why is that Frisbee getting Larger? …and then it hits me. -- Disposable thumbs make me specialer than most animals…

11-15-2009, 03:17 PM	#6
RattNet Prospect Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 16	G3 help Hello, I posted this about a week ago: "I have a blue and white G3 tower which I use to scan using my scsi scanner. All of a sudden, I got some crazy magenta lines all over the screen. As I would click and move windows around the desktop, it would look as if I was "wiping away" the magenta but only for it to reappear. I tried a different power cable for the monitor (an old 77lb. Sony trinitron 500PS) which did not help. I saw there were black dotted lines running vertically on the start-up screen, then back to magenta once all booted up. So I plugged in my G5 desktop to the monitor and the problem was gone. Granted, I didn't let the Sony monitor-to-G5 system sit; i merely plugged in, started up, opened a couple windows, and shut down. So, anyone know what my next step can be to try to fix this? Or is my G3 a goner?" Response: "Your G3's Video card is dying. You need any Mac compatible PCI video card. Take a look on Ebay. You'll find quite a few at very reasonable prices." So, I got a new video card, it worked the first time I booted up but the next time I had no screen image. The computer chimed, sounded like it was working, but nothing on the monitor. So I switched back to my old video card but same thing. So I plugged the Sony monitor into my other computer (Powermac G5) and it works fine. I have tried reseating the new video card in the G3, unplugging and replugging everything but to no avail. What should I do?!?!? Thanks!

11-16-2009, 10:42 PM	#11
Las_Vegas League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 5,845	Verify that your video cable hasn't come loose on the back. Also make sure that the card is fully seated into the slot. Zap the PRAM (Hold down command-option-P-R on startup until it chimes 4 times). You should at the very least get a gray screen before Mac OS changes the resolution. __________________ Las_Vegas -- Ts'i mahnu uterna ot twan ot geifur hingts uto. -- Sometimes I wonder… Why is that Frisbee getting Larger? …and then it hits me. -- Disposable thumbs make me specialer than most animals…

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11-04-2009, 10:36 PM	#3
RattNet Prospect Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 16	Ok, thanks, that makes sense...

11-05-2009, 11:43 AM	#4
leamanc Triple-A Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 70	And you've got to make the decision whether keeping that G3 alive is worth sinking any money in to. Remember, it's 10 years old this year. When it was new, a 10-year-old Mac was an SE/30...so would you have sunk much money into fixing an SE/30 when your Blue&White was new?

11-05-2009, 12:50 PM	#5
RattNet Prospect Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 16	Sure, if I found the $12 part I needed. Much less expensive than buying a newer computer!

11-15-2009, 03:56 PM	#8
RattNet Prospect Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 16	Oh ok, sorry, I didn't know...

11-16-2009, 09:14 PM	#10
RattNet Prospect Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 16	It is an ATI Rage 128, apple part # 630-2896, ATI p/n 1025740700 001393. On the top side, with the gold teeth facing up, and the outlet on my right, there is a silver box that says "CXO-52B 29.498MHz F.E.I.". Then in the little black box below and slightly to the right there is a sticker on that which says, "R128 57407". This is the ebay listing description: ATI Rage 128 PCI Video card 16 Meg Vram 15 pin VGA Connection Works with OS 9.0 and 10.x Compatible with all G3 and G4 tower units Is that enough info? I mean, I did some research before I bought it. But I would be relieved (if not frustrated) if the new card just isn't compatible. Thanks!