Does a G5 startup normally and operate with the front proc fans disconnected?

[Counter]

Hey all,

I recently received a 'refurbished' G5, Dual 2ghz. Not from Apple.

On pushing the power button, I get no startup chime....just one fan wurr noise then another. The power light does not light. It is only lit as long as your finger is on it.

If it is left on for 5 mins the fans crank up to speed, from what I have read this appears to be 'safe mode'.

Having spoke to Apple support, who were very helpful, we have determined it is a hardware issue and must go back.

The question I have is: can the computer startup normally and operate with the front proc fans disconnected?

The reason I ask this is because, on opening the side door after receiving the machine and it not starting up, I noticed the front fans were not in the mount slot, but lodged just underneath. Disconnected.

The company who sold me the machine assure me that they test all units before they leave the door.

Could this unit have worked for them in test with the front proc fans disconnected?

I mean....I'm pretty strongly thinking not.

Mac user of 10 years here. This, unfortunately, is my move to the G5

Any help, comments, etc appreciated.

 

[mduser63]

Unfortunately I can't try it on my G5 right now, but I would be willing to bet that it won't work. If it does work, Apple's just asking for extra warranty claims, as the processors will overheat after a while. I can't imagine that they wouldn't have thought of that. Either the person who sold you the machine didn't really test it thoroughly, or the fan got dislodged during shipping.

 

[Lucky8]

Unfortunately I can't try it on my G5 right now, but I would be willing to bet that it won't work. If it does work, Apple's just asking for extra warranty claims, as the processors will overheat after a while. I can't imagine that they wouldn't have thought of that. Either the person who sold you the machine didn't really test it thoroughly, or the fan got dislodged during shipping.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is no power goes to those front fans.

 

[mduser63]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is no power goes to those front fans.

How would they spin without power? They definitely spin, you can see them through the front of the case. The also have a connector on them which goes into the logic board. You have to take them out to add RAM. If no power went to them, there would be no reason to have a connector going to them (nevermind the fact that they would be useless without power going to them).

 

[Counter]

Thanks for your replies.

Looking at the proximity of the case in relation to the fans, I don't think it's possible for the fans to become dislodged during shipping. They are slotted in and flush. Any shipping which leaves the rest of the Mac intact anyway.

Which is crazy because it means the unit has passed through two people, one supposedly an engineer who ran tests on the machine and the other the seller who also supposedly checked the machine over also.

Having reconnected the fans, they do both spin fine. I thought *that* was the problem! Press the power button.....no startup chime, no light, same result.

 

[mklos]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is no power goes to those front fans.

Yes there is...The power connector is on the top portion of it. Its a plug. You can see it with a pic with the processor fans pulled off. Its just above the RAM slots on that aluminum divider that divides the CPU's from the expansion slots.

Fans can't spin without power.....

 

[Sun Baked]

Most likely one of the CPU daughter cards is bad.