iFixit - Answers With Device "iMac G3"

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: Unable to see hard drives

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:48:11 -0700

Since it’s a slow night maybe you could indulge me. I am trying to set up a couple of old iMacs to donate. I’m upgrading the hard drives in both. I’ve been unable to get the machines to see the new hard drives. I’ve set them to cable select, and tried master to no avail.

iMac G3 600 MHz EMC 1857

I’m trying to install a Quantum 60 GB AT Fireball Plus AS

I could not get the machine to see the drive after booting from a 10.3 install disk. I put the drive in a MDD Dual 1.44 and had no problems. I installed the system and booted from it. I put it back in the iMac and all I get is a small world map in a box that flashes a few times and then it goes to the blank folder icon with the flashing question mark. I’ve zapped the P ram several times. Unplugged and re-plugged the machines. Tried booting using the option key. Could not find a reset button. Put in new batteries. Booted from an external firewire CD. All in vain.

iMac G3 266

Western Digital W200 drive Same story, no results

I remember we used to be able to “bless” a system but I’ve forgotten how. When I got the machines both had bad drives so I can’t put the old drives back in. Obviously I’m overlooking something. Any suggestions? Thanks Kids

⟐ Commented June 01, 2011 at 7:48 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 do I open the computer to remove the hard drive?

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:24:08 -0700

I just want to take out the hard drive before I recycle the computer. I can't figure out how to open up the case to access the hard drive. I can't find instructions that work because I can't id the specific device. The EMC no. is 1821, which I don't see on the device id list. I removed the only two screws (phillips) I can find on the bottom. I tried unsuccessfully to pull the bottom of the case off, using the handle on the bottom.

⟐ Answer deleted November 25, 2011 at 15:24 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: Repair guide for this iMac to replace the optical drive.

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 23:54:58 -0700

Need the repair guide for replacing the optical drive on the above mentioned iMac.

⟐ Answer accepted April 24, 2015 at 23:54 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: Having troubles with the G3

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 13:57:39 -0700

So recently I got my hands on a IMac G3, and I’ve been having problems with it turning on. To explain, whenever I hit the power button wither on the keyboard or computer itself, the crt makes the sound of a static discharge/piping sound, and the power light comes on and the edges of the screen light up ever so slightly. However right after turning it on, it immediately powers off, and if I try turning it on again shortly after. the crt makes a sound that’s comparable to a sqeek and powers off almost immediately. I did however replace the pram battery, but the computer is still doing the same things it was doing with the old pram battery. So I was hoping if someone could help pinpoint the problem or if my computer is long gone.

Fyi: Mac model is M5521

⟐ Comment deleted November 28, 2018 at 13:57 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: How can instal a OS X disc from an external drive

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 11:47:59 -0700

So I have an iMac g3 and I got an external disc drive but every time I try to instal the disc nothing happens. The iMac I have is a 350 mgz model so I have no fire wire. And I don’t know what to do. Any answers would be great.

⟐ Answer accepted September 14, 2018 at 11:47 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: Is 10.3 or 10.4 better for this

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 08:31:51 -0700

I am pretty sure i picked the wrong iMac nor do i think iFixit has it listed so i will list the specs

40GB HDD(80GB when it is summer)

128MB PC100 memory (512MB or 1GB summer time)

600MHZ g3

Has 10.2.8 now but not for long!

**new harddrive is in!**(more playroom for me!

next project: upgrade the memory to 512MB or 1GB

I thought i would share this for a good laugh

On my way back from work(luckily i had 2 boxes on me),i seen this by a dumpster so i took it home and i tested it in may garage for 2 days because of my parents paranoia over my dumpster iMac

Had 10.2.4 when i got it so i updated it to 10.2.8 with NO intent to update but with limited software choices,it had to go

have to use 10.3 right now:(

At least till i can borrow a a CD-Rw that actually reads DVD-r discs

I cheated to et 10.4 on the G3

It has the stock memory and runs well!

⟐ Answered April 25, 2022 at 8:31 MST

iMac G3: computer wont turn on

Mon, 30 Dec 2013 04:44:16 -0700

My imac desk top crt model wont turn on.

⟐ Answer accepted December 30, 2013 at 4:44 MST

iMac G3: MY iMac startup BLACK & ALARMING?

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 08:56:57 -0700

PLEASE ,HAVE LOOK AND HEELP ME WHAT IS WRONG,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoeTMwnvk...

WHAT CAN I DO ?

⟐ Answered April 03, 2017 at 8:56 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: How do I add ram and how much ram can I add?

Tue, 14 Apr 2015 07:56:52 -0700

want to speed up my imac g3 m5521 and how well will it operate if maxxed out?

⟐ Answered April 14, 2015 at 7:56 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 M4984: How do I install the MacOs?

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 17:37:24 -0700

Change the original 4GB HDD of this model to an 80GB one. But I can't install the system to use it again. I light it and the “?” Icon is flashing. Download and burn discs with MacOs 9, 8 and I can't make it boot from the CD. As I read it was to keep the letter "c" after the ignition but does nothing. I would greatly appreciate your help.

⟐ Answer accepted October 07, 2020 at 17:37 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: Trying to install operating system but it keeps spitting out disk.

Fri, 25 May 2018 07:21:22 -0700

I have the iMac M5521 with a slot loading optical drive and after 3-5 seconds after I insert an operating system disk, it ejects it. I tried holding down the option key to select a disk to boot off of but noting shows up. If i let it power up on it's own, it will show a finder icon on a blue folder. I'm assuming that means their is no operating system. I tried several disks. I got the operating systems off of pirate bay (a torrent sight). One of the disks is 10.4 tiger.

⟐ Commented May 25, 2018 at 7:21 MST

iMac G3: Glow or light up

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 03:23:12 -0700

I've been given an iMac G3 which is almost perfect. I've put OS 9.2.3 on it which runs fine.

The only problem is the blue shell does not light up or glow?

Searching the Web I came across a statement that there was a bulb somewhere near the round plastic handle but I can't see one.

Anyone know how to get it glowing again please?

⟐ Commented January 11, 2018 at 3:23 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: How to I change the voltage from USA specs to UK specs?

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 03:59:08 -0700

I need to change it from 120 to 230 so it does't blow up when I plug it in.

On the G4 tower, the switch is right at the back. Unable to locate switch on the iMac.

Please help.

⟐ Edited July 10, 2015 at 3:59 MST

iMac G3 Model M5521: Were can I buy a new hard drive an iMac g3

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 16:17:35 -0700

So the iMac I have gotten it hard disk drive is dead. I’m wondering if I can fix it or if I haft just buy a new used hard drive. If I can’t repair it we’re can I possibly buy a new hard drive. Thanks for any answers or advice for the question

⟐ Answer edited October 02, 2018 at 16:17 MST