iFixit - Answers With Device "iMac G3"

iMac G3 Model M5521: Why did my iMac g3's speakers die out of nowhere?

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:09:36 -0700

Hey dudes, when I had my 1999 graphite iMac g3 playing Dankpod's iBook video (yes, I did put some YouTube videos on my imac) the sound just disappeared. Before the video the sound was fine, I listened to itunes, watched videos, and had no problems. If you guys have any solutions please comment below. Thanks again!

⟐ Commented March 17, 2026 at 14:09 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: iMac g3 handle replacement

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:14:08 -0700

Hi guys, when I bought my iMac g3 in graphite the handle came snapped (as seen in the photo). It has stayed like this for about 2 years now (how long I have owned the iMac) but it will not stop bothering me. I would love for the handle to look nice at something like vcf (vintage computer fest). If you guys have any good recommendations of where to buy a replacement handle, please comment bellow.

with thanks,

Power Pc user

⟐ Commented January 28, 2026 at 16:14 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: iMac G3 not powering on

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 23:06:28 -0700

I have and old iMac G3 from late 1999, don’t really know anything about the models but i know it’s from that year. When I first bought it everything was working just fine. But just as of a couple of weeks ago, it wouldn’t power on, nothing worked, I tried plugging it in other outlets, I reset the PRAM and replaced the battery, I tested the J7 Connecter and J9 pins, and even checked if there was continuity on the fuse and there was, there was also no light coming from the power button either. But one test that didn’t come back positive was the C4 capacitor, I read that when the iMac is plugged in but not powered on I should get a reading of -1.2 V and when powered on it should jump to +21 V, but I’m getting a reading of barely 0.01 V when powered off and a reading of 6V when powered on, I read that the ground should be this screw

. But even with any other screw on the board it still has the same readings. What does it mean when i’m not getting the correct readings on the C4 capacitor. Another thing I noticed is that when I power on the iMac I can hear what sounds like the the CRT turn on but then flicker off. I don’t know what this means and if it has something to do with the CRT. I tried everything I could and read as much as I could understand, if anyone has any tips to help me out on the problem I would greatly appreciate it. Thank You

⟐ Answered January 22, 2026 at 23:06 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: Why is there no startup chime on my iMac g3?

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:51:00 -0700

I have had my 1999 graphite iMac g3 for a while now, but I noticed a recurring issue. When I boot up my iMac, there is no start up chime. I first replaced the p-ram battery, still no startup chime. Checked the speakers on itunes, the speakers were fine. Is there a setting I do not know about?

⟐ Answer accepted January 16, 2026 at 10:51 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: Power on light showing but there's no display

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:33:44 -0700

My Mac display is not working please help

⟐ Answered January 15, 2026 at 16:33 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: It is possible use iMac screen as a monitor, using a VGA input?

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 21:28:53 -0700

Is there any way to use the iMac as just a monitor? To connect any device with a VGA cable, even if i have to make some modifications ?

⟐ Answer unaccepted July 23, 2025 at 21:28 MST

iMac G3: Why is hard drive freezing up

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 05:08:10 -0700

Running a program am the g3 freezes up why?

⟐ Answered June 05, 2025 at 5:08 MST

iMac G3 Model M4984: Creating an external SSD for my iMac G3

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 06:46:51 -0700

Guys I got an iMac G3 but the HDD is unable of be restored or something… Also the CD Drive is not working (I tried to restore from CD I burnt). I saw a video that the guy replace the HDD for a SSD with PATA/SATA adapter. Since I’m unable to install mac os 9.2 from CD, is there a way to install the mac os 9.2 into the SSD in another machine + connect in iMac and that’s it?

If yes, how?

Sorry I’m newbie into the macintech. Thanks!!

⟐ Commented March 30, 2025 at 6:46 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: On start up I get the tone then immediate shut off

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 10:39:09 -0700

I push the power button, get the start chime and the power is immediately turned off. Pushing the power button again will do nothing.

If I unplug the device and plug it back in I can again get the start up chime but same result with immediate shut off. I have had the machine for a few years and it has worked well until this occurred, which may have been triggered by a power outage.

⟐ Commented February 09, 2025 at 10:39 MST

iMac G3 Model M4984: its not powering on

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 21:42:30 -0700

i need help it will not turn on

⟐ Commented October 09, 2024 at 21:42 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: How to clean the hard drive before selling? Forgot password to login

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:02:11 -0700

We have an old iMac from the early 2000s (like the one pictured below). We staked it away all these years and now decided to sell it. The problem is, that we do not recall the two passwords for the two users (my husband and I). We would like to delete the data that is stored and all history and reset it to factory settings before selling it. We have yet to figure out a way to do this. Any input?

iMac G3: Can This Replace an iMac G3 IDE DVD-ROM?

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 19:36:49 -0700

Hello :)

The DVD-ROM in my recently acquired iMac G3 will not reliably eject discs. I have attempted to repair the original drive (a Matsushita-Kotobuki Model SR-8184-B drive manufactured to Apple specifications), but to no avail. Instead, I am considering replacing the original drive with a Panasonic UJ868A DVD-ROM from a 2008 MacBook Pro. Is this replacement possible, and if so, what adapter should I use?

Thank you for the help!

⟐ Edited June 13, 2024 at 19:36 MST

iMac G3 Model M4984: Powers up (can hear hi-voltage), No Sound, No Picture

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 16:01:32 -0700

Can not see CRT filaments. Resistance of filaments is low. Computer MB has all the correct voltages, processor gets hot. Power supplies seem good with the exception of the +130v is only 87volts. I don't know if that's normal if the computer is not turning the display on? Or might the Power Supply board have a problem, or the CRT Board? Do the speakers hook up from the CRT Board via that video cable or how do the speakers get their sound? This thing does not bleep, bloop or do a thing. LED stays orange,

⟐ Answered December 09, 2023 at 16:01 MST

iMac G3: No display but showing power on

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 11:52:53 -0700

The display is turning on but showing power on light I haven't opened it cuz I don't know how to do and what to do please help

⟐ Answered November 20, 2023 at 11:52 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: My iMac G3 DV SE is not powering on after trying to force CD eject

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 16:42:13 -0700

A friend gifted me this iMac a couple of days. It had MacOS 9 and I wanted to update to 10 and also erase the data, but when I tried to boot from a USB the Mac didn’t recognise it, so I got a DVD to burn and put it in the Mac but it wasn’t appearing, so I tried to eject it but it said it couldn’t eject the drive. I search and I saw in an Apple forum that you could shutdown the computer while pressing left button of the mouse and turn it on while holding but it didn’t work, so I continued searching and I found that the hole next to the CD reader you could put the tool you use to eject the SIM at the iPhone, so I tried but it didn’t work. I wanted to try out another time to force eject from the OS but when I turned on the button turned on orange, in an Apple forum said that I should reset the PMU by pressing a button on the motherboard I did and now it powers on and shutdown immediately.

Also I read that it could be the battery but I don’t think this could be it has to be related with the disc.

Is there a solution without doing a hardware repair?

Do you think it could be the battery?

How could the iMac not turn on trying to eject the drive ?

Does that hole used for other things than ejecting the drive?

Thanks for your time and your answers!

⟐ Answered June 27, 2023 at 16:42 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: another iMac G3 not starting up.

Mon, 29 May 2023 09:35:52 -0700

So, how it happened was that it just went to sleep and just never woke up.

Just like that. Nothing popped, nothing was touched. Just dead.

When attempting to turn on it signals a split second of life but it's just the sound and flash of a LED.

Maybe I haven't looked clearly across the internet. But I have replaced the PRAM battery.

Also this is my first time posting.

⟐ Answer accepted May 29, 2023 at 9:35 MST

iMac G3 Model M4984: I got an iMac G3 but it is locked with password

Fri, 26 May 2023 10:56:36 -0700

I got an iMac recently that works fine, but instantly when it boots, it open a software from boston college hs locked with a password. It tries to connect with internet to check the credentials but its not succeed even with ethernet cable plugged in. It shows that misses network.

The optical drive is not working to use a cd software to restore the mac os, is there other way to restore and clean this mac?

Is there a way to burn my own software cd? Not hard to find the mac os to download.

Thanks!

⟐ Commented May 26, 2023 at 10:56 MST

iMac G3 Model M4984: How do I replace the orange iMac G3 case?

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 10:54:54 -0700

I need to replace the case of my old orange iMac. Where can I find the parts to replace them?

TftA Pier

⟐ Answered March 23, 2023 at 10:54 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: My iMac has power but shuts itself off during boot. Now what?

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 07:27:02 -0700

I purchased an iMac G3 (M5521 from 2000) that was tested and working, and then after transport home in my car I plugged it in and it does not boot. The most that happens after I press the power button is a faint popping noise from the left speaker, followed 1 second later by a faint beep and crackling sound from the back (like a CRT after shutting off). No power button LED light, no chime, no POST beeps, nothing on the monitor. I can repeatedly press the button and the same thing happens.

Following the iMac G3 service manual, I tested the logic board, down converter, and the PAV board fuse, and everything is working! Voltages present and fuse not blown. Now what do I do?

iMac G3 Model M4984: iMac g3 boot from dvd

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 20:38:00 -0700

I have an imac g3 from 1998 I am trying to wipe the hard drive as I got the computer from a recycling place and am trying to reinstall mac os 9.2.2 on it. I cannot boot from the dvd. I only have a Microsoft keyboard and mouse. I have tried the “alt” key and on a forum someone said to use the “ alt” and “r” key. Nothing has worked so far. When I try those keys it boots up from the hard drive. Instead of going to boot menu.

⟐ Answered September 22, 2022 at 20:38 MST