68kMLA Classic Interface

This is a version of the 68kMLA forums for viewing on your favorite old mac. Visitors on modern platforms may prefer the main site.

Click here to select a new forum.
iMac G3 (Slot-Loader) Odd Power Issue
Posted by: Elate on 2026-08-24 01:41:36 I've got this iMac G3 DV 400 that turns itself off after a few seconds, seemingly at the same time as the CRT normally should start brightening into view from what I've seen. Once I plug it in I hear a high-pitched whine from the DCB, but this disappears when turning it on, and reappears once it turns back off. Green light, chime, turns off. I do hear some static crackling from the CRT as it turns off, just like my healthy CRT monitor does, but it's to a way lesser extent, barely there. Has anyone else experienced the same issue?
Posted by: Byrd on 2026-08-24 02:39:53 Hi, Most commonly this is due to a failing PAV (power, audio, video) board. It is usually down to failed capacitors and to a lesser degree reportedly from dry solder joints (but am yet to see).
Posted by: Elate on 2026-08-24 02:42:59 Hi, Most commonly this is due to a failing PAV (power, audio, video) board. It is usually down to failed capacitors and to a lesser degree reportedly from dry solder joints (but am yet to see). I ordered a LCR-T4 yesterday. I do believe it's a capacitor issue, as I have sometimes gotten the green LED to stay on, although with no image on the CRT. However the last time I got it to do that was before I got a CRT monitor, so my VGA LCD monitors couldn't display it due to incompatible refresh rates. Did get it to display a garbage screen once after I got the external screen by spam-pressing the 2 buttons in the I/O area, Reset and Programmer Button I think they were called. Heard a loud whine from something on the PAV, and my external screen showed a white screen with gray dots near the bottom and some yellow lines near the top, so likely power issues.
Posted by: Byrd on 2026-08-24 03:10:15 Sounds like a bit going on there, but you can't tell until you have reliable power! At the least iMac G3s can be picked up cheaply enough if you find a junk unit with decent PAV and/or motherboard to switch over should you need parts.
Posted by: Elate on 2026-08-24 03:11:55 Sounds like a bit going on there, but you can't tell until you have reliable power! At the least iMac G3s can be picked up cheaply enough if you find a junk unit with decent PAV and/or motherboard to switch over should you need parts. Unfortunately parts machines are really rare here in Norway. Only G3s listed for sales are overpriced "untested" ones for 200-300+ USD usually. I was lucky to get mine back in January for only 50 USD (roughly translated from NOK atleast)
1