Mystery: G5 diagnosed as healthy by genius - still won't start up

[Kabir8]

I have a Dual 1.8ghz G5 Power PC Mac.

I have never had a problem with it since 2003 when I got it.
I had it all throughout college, and shipped it back and forth across the country, and still no problems.

One day I turn it on, and it starts to run its fans on FULL BLAST within 20 seconds, and to boot -- no image on the screen. The monitor I had used with it all this time (a Sony) is not recognizing a device.

I try multiple adapters, and then I try an Acer LCD screen with a designated apple cable to bypass the adapters. Still nothing.

I took it to the geniuses, and I know people who are managers at Apple, and they were able to start it up and log in to my account even, and there was no issue at all (I was not there when it happened, though they called and asked me for my password and said there was no issue within the system either). The hardware, hard drives, processor, fans, etc. are all fine.
(This guy previously was nice enough to fix my siblings first gen iBook for free which was almost $900 in repairs - since he's a a manager)

So I am at a crossroads.

The only variable I haven't tried is the power plug for the monitor. But the monitor is still powered on, so how should that affect the signal to my machine?

The only other thing I can think of is the surge protector we are using to power everything (its over 10 years old, but still works).

I don't know how the Apple employees were able to get on my machine, but it still has the same high running fans issue within a minute of startup -- and does not register an image.

I use an iMac now, but I have EXTREMELY important files on my G5, and it's just sitting there not working.

If Apple cannot help me, I feel this is my last resort. Please -- anyone -- offer your solutions? Thank you for taking the time!

 

[munkery]

Have you tried a different power source?

Have you tried a different surge protector?

 

[monokakata]

Remember, even if the G5 is toast there's nothing preventing you from pulling its SATA drive and dropping it into a temporary external USB or Firewire case and getting your data off that way -- transferring it to your iMac.

It's only if the drive is thoroughly hosed that you're in bad trouble. Otherwise, it's just data transfer to the iMac.

 

[Kabir8]

Well that's the thing...nothing is wrong with it after a complete diagnosis from a friend who works for Apple that made sure extra care was given.

I didn't know my 2003 G5 HD could be removed and dropped into a case that easy -- I guess that is an option, but the point being is...
I have a working desktop Mac that doesn't seem to work. Now I will give it a shot with an alternate power source and see if that should affect things...but really -- should that even be a direct cause?

I'll try it anyway. But there has to be something else going on here.

 

[jrjester]

You could connect it to your iMac and boot it (G5) into target disc mode to access anything on your hard drive, unless the drive is shot.

 

[Kabir8]

Tried pluggin in directly to the wall without surge protectors and it works now.

Looks like problem solved, like I mentioned before the Genius dudes looked at it and came away without seeing any problems.

The only problem was with my power strips, which were ancient, but still "worked"

Time to invest in some new ones. Thanks for the replies everyone