Dead iMac G4, need to recover files from the HD

[LFrascogna]

My iMac G4 800mhz just died. It turned off suddenly and now it won't start up, no response to the power button. Nothing.

Ok, so this is a two part post.

1. What may be wrong with it?
2. I don't really care what is wrong with it because it was time to replace anyway, but I need files off of it, but without being able to start it up at all I can't do a Firewire transfer. Is my other option cracking this thing open, getting an external HD case, and running it from there? Can this be done?

 

[CanadaRAM]

My iMac G4 800mhz just died. It turned off suddenly and now it won't start up, no response to the power button. Nothing.

Ok, so this is a two part post.

1. What may be wrong with it?

Crystal ball not working today...
Unplug and replug all cables, disconnect all non-apple peripherals, check the powerbar it is plugged into for power.
Other than that, a hardware failure of some species...

2. I don't really care what is wrong with it because it was time to replace anyway, but I need files off of it, but without being able to start it up at all I can do a Firewire transfer.

", I can't", yes.

Is my other option cracking this thing open, getting an external HD case, and running it from there? Can this be done?

Yes, and Yes.

 

[emmawu]

If you have an iPod you can use it as a start up disk and use Disk Warrior an awesome program for Mac fixes. I was able to get all my info off my dead iBook this way. I just replaced the hard drive (which I somehow fried) and transferred all my other info from the iPod (over 2,000 photos and about 1,800 songs) not to mention documents, mail, etc. I bought more memory with the new hard drive and I'm still using the iBook. I now back up daily, always a good thing to do.

Good luck to you.

 

[doucy2]

wat ru doing with the dead imac g4
if you are selling i will buy it
let me know thanks

 

[trainguy77]

There is a button on the main board called the CUDA,(now know as the PMU) find a how to off google and press this button.

 

[Makosuke]

If it doesn't do anything at all, you've really only got one hope (and I will note that this has worked to revive dead Macs in the past):

Unplug it from the wall (and everything else), then push the power button once. Then leave it unplugged for several hours. Plug it back in and see if you've got any luck--unlikely, but worth a shot, anyway.

Cracking it open to get to the reset button might be worth a shot if that doesn't work, but probably won't help any more. Besides, once you've got it dismantled you migth as well pull out the hard drive and get stuff off of it with a FireWire or USB case (if you don't already have one, you can get a USB2-only case or a caseless adapter for in the range of $20).

Using a different boot drive isn't going to help, as it's a computer issue not a hard drive one.