imac won't power up

[justsomeguy2005]

Hi everyone.

I'm a longtime lurker, and I've looked for something dealing with this problem, but I haven't been that successful in getting answers.

I was away for a little less than 48 hours. My iMac G4 (bought in Feb. 2003) was working perfectly when I left. I shut it down. Now, it won't power up. It does nothing when I press the power button or hold it down. I've unplugged it from the wall, tried different power outlets, removed all of the devices connected to it, and said a few choice words to it. I asked my mom if there were any power surges or thunderstorms while I was away, and she said there hadn't been anything. The power cable looks fine, as does the power port on the back.

Does anyone have any idea what could be happening? I'm leaving for law school in a matter of days and would like to have this with me, even though I had to buy a PC laptop. (grr)

Also, while I was away, someone that doesn't care for me was at our house. This is someone who has tampered with property of mine before, and given the chance, I'm sure they'd do it again. This was one of the first things I thought of when it wouldn't start, but I found no signs of damage. Are there subtle ways to screw up my computer like this? They're not technologically savvy, but I'm just very suspicious that my computer worked beautifully before I left and now is completely unresponsive, which came at a time when I wasn't home and someone destructive was. I doubt I could ever prove anything anyway, but I'd just like to know of problems I should look for, especially given those circumstances.

Thanks!

 

[Eniregnat]

If nothing is working at all, and the cable and plugs are fine I would bet it was a surge or a prolonged brown out that burned out your iMac's power supply. I wouldn't bet on the paranoid rout. Leave it unplugged for some time and see if after half a day of no power that it may work if plugged in when it is reattached to the AC. Your surge protector strip may not have tripped, it happens some times.

Awful, but hey if it's your first year at law school, it is likely that they won't want you using Lexis, Westlaw, or any digital case library to write your papers.

Your PC should get you through for now.

Best of luck and skill with your studies.

 

[justsomeguy2005]

Thanks for the advice. After thoroughly examining the computer, I don't think it was tampered with, but this person has a history of it, so I just want to cover all of my bases. I've had my ethernet cable sliced and router messed up, all very discretely, so I rule nothing out with this person.

I'll probably end up driving an hour or so to see if I can get it fixed at the nearest authorized service tech or take it to school with me and have it fixed there.

Thanks for the well wishes! The PC will get me through, certainly, but I love my iMac too much go without it for extended periods of time!

 

[Eniregnat]

Thanks for the advice. After thoroughly examining the computer, I don't think it was tampered with, but this person has a history of it, so I just want to cover all of my bases. I've had my ethernet cable sliced and router messed up, all very discretely, so I rule nothing out with this person.

I'll probably end up driving an hour or so to see if I can get it fixed at the nearest authorized service tech or take it to school with me and have it fixed there.

Thanks for the well wishes! The PC will get me through, certainly, but I love my iMac too much go without it for extended periods of time!

Just to be on the safe side, change your locks.

Hey, if it is just the powersupply, it is a quick fix if they have the parts.

You know, you might just want to check the AC cable, exchange it with another one just to make shure. Check for char marks on the blades of the plug, and check the fuse and breaker on your surge strip. Actualy, I would just chuck the strip.

Good luck, and I hope the weirdo dosn't bother you any more.