"G5 Quad 2.5 4.5GB Ram - Maxtor Sata1 500GB Hd.
About 1 month ago my machine started to shut down, and the LED number 7 on the Motherboard would light up. I reset all the Usual suspects ( PRAM, NVRAM, FIRMWARE,SMU etc ) to no evail...

I did notice that It followed a definitive pattern... Randon shutdown followed by a complete failure to restart for approx 3 attempts, when on the fourth attempt it would fire up. I the removed all extra RAM, Harddrives, external Components, plugged it directly into the mains ( no surge protector etc ), it still failed.

The machine is 14 months old, and guess what, no applecare. Sent it in to have it repaired, It was diagnosed as having a bad CPU . The whole CPU module was replaces at a cost of 1625Sf ( swiss Franks ). Got home plugged it in, within 15 mins it failed again.

This time I had some crash Logs, and, although the PMU did not report any issues, (FYI - the "PMU forced shutdown, cause = -122" log entries in /var/log/system.log was often seen by others with random shutdown problems) the crash log indicated the CPU ( any of them ) getting a deadlock signal, and panicking. It also reported I/O failures too.

I did some more investigation and came across the apple report on the failure of PSU's in certain G5 towers. (FYI - mentioned here back on Nov. 6th, 2006) Low and behold my quad fell right into the serial range. Also it states that if you have been charged for a repair that later ends up being related to the failure of the PSU Apple is liable to refund you your original repair costs....

So I sent the Mac back with a printout of all the crashlogs, a printout of the Apple Info page about failing PSU's, and a video of it failing again( shows LED 7 lighting up like a christmas tree, and the mac failing to boot past the boot grey screen.). They cant argue with all that can they!
Still waiting to here back from them.
(he later wrote)
I have been talking to a chap who works for a certified Apple repair shop in California, and apparently Apple is also replacing Motherboards based on the same issues as the PSU's ( bad capacitors ) This is NOT noted on the website. Its one of those things that you need to find out the hard way, and it still only applies to the models in the serial range that is on Apples website...
They will replace them outside warrantee if the issue is deemed to be related.
-Gordon (Switzerland) "

: Version 3.8.1:
• Addresses an issue in which Cocktail may fail to gather disk information
• Fixed minor Mac OS X 10.4.10 (v1.1) compatibility issues
• Other bug fixes and improvements

"SYMPTOMS: After updating to Mac OS X 10.4.10 the microphone becomes unresponsive and no dictation will appear in any application. In addition, the microphone produces no signal in the Sound or Speech System Preference panels.

PRODUCTS EFFECTED: At this time, we know this issue affects the USB adapters that are shipped with the Plantronics .Audio 85 and Plantronics DSP-200 microphones. We have also had reports of it affecting microphones from Logictech, as well as other brands of USB microphones, some of which may show up as "C-Media" or "Unknown USB Device."

CAUSE: There is an issue between the firmware in the Plantronics USB adapter and Mac OS X 10.4.10. Since MacSpeech does not produce either the hardware or system software, we cannot provide more information at this time. Both Apple and Plantronics have been notified and we are assisting with their investigation as to the exact cause.

REMEDIES: We have determined the following procedure addresses this issue:

1). Launch "Audio MIDI Setup.app" (You will find this application inside the folder named "Utilities" inside your Applications folder).

2). In System Settings, select "Plantronics Headset" as the default input.

3). In "Properties For:" select "Plantronics Headset."

4). In the area below "Properties For:" uncheck the "Mute" check box. (If it is not checked, check it and then uncheck it.)

5). Test the microphone to verify it works in the Sound and Speech System Preference panes.

6). Launch iListen and select "Set Up My Microphone" to recalibrate your microphone. (This process takes only about a minute.)

If the above does not work, or you prefer not to do the above for some reason, you have the following additional options:

- Downgrade to Mac OS 10.4.9. This involves using your original install disk that came with your computer, performing an Archive and Install, then downloading and installing the 10.4.9 combo updater from Apple's web site. (Do NOT upgrade to 10.4.10!)

- Purchase a VXi USB adapter, which we have confirmed does not have the issue with Mac OS X 10.4.10.

- Purchase a new microphone.

- Wait for either Apple or Plantronics to address this issue.

We apologize for this inconvenience. We are caught in the middle since it was not something that could have been foreseen by MacSpeech. "

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(Little Snitch, Intaglio and TechTool Pro become part of the bundle only after they are unlocked; see "unlock the locks" above.)"

• ImageWell Now Available with Flickr, SmugMug, ImageShack support, plus more
• PocketTweets (Twitter client for iPhone)
• iPhone: Sync behaviors with Yahoo! Address Book (Apple)
• iPhone: Troubleshooting contact syncing with Microsoft Outlook (Apple)
• Creating Web apps at iPhone Developer Camp
• InsomniaX 1.3
• Synergy 3.1.4b seeded to beta testers
• .Mac: Issues sending messages from .Mac account in Mail or other email apps (Apple)
• iPhone Carrier Swap 'Close' - British firm UniquePhones is writing an app to let iPhone customers use a carrier other than AT&T.
• LiquidMac 1.2 (Particle system that reacts to your Mac)
• OSX SkyFighters 1945 1.0.5 (WWII flight simulator)
• DVD Imager 1.5.9
• Don't get burned by RAID zero
• Second open Linux phone goes on sale
• Busting an Internet fraud ring
• China Claims Motorola, Nokia Batteries Explode
• Microsoft to Drop Xbox 360 Price This Week? (in response to Sony PS3 cut)
• Sony cuts PS3 price by $100 (about face to Sony comments last week)
• Some Target Stores Put PS3 Price Drop Into Effect