G3 All In Ones x2

[MrMacintosh]

Hey all!
 

So I finally found a local lead on a machine I have always wanted... a G3 AIO I put an ad on my local Craigslist and received a reply from a guy who had 100 iMac G3 and some beige all-in-ones. I travelled about 45 minutes to get to him.

Turns out, he bought a huge lot from a school, and had over 100 iMac G3 (original Bondi-350MHz blueberry) just piled on pallets. Also, 3x 5500s and 3x G3 AIO. They G3s were dusty and scuffed, but not too bad of shape. The plastics on the 5500s were so brittle that all three were missing pieces, either on the sides or the top. As badly as I wanted one of those, I passed... for now. (I have a 5400 and Perfoma 5200 already )

The BAD news, however, is that both G3 AIOs that I took home are arcing. Rather loud, rapid "snap!" from the rear-left of the machine, and the display jumps. I'm crossing my fingers that it's just dust buildup, as both machines have a full nest of dust bunnies around the ports in the back. I'm going to dive into one now and see...

Pictures to come! Any other beige AIO fans out there?!

Kyle-

 

[unity]

Im guessing you went to Michigan and met Charles?

 

[techknight]

this is common, Even when they were still in service. 

its caused by a bad flyback, the Focus/G2 block is arcing out, and momentarily shooting 30kv HV into the focus/screen anodes. 

 

[MrMacintosh]

I only had to go to a suburb of Cleveland, so not too bad. 

I've never seen a dirtier computer. It looks like this thing was turned on and left untouched for a decade. I read in a previous thread that a large amount of dust can cause arcing... I'm going to get the air compressor out and clean this thing a bit.

 

[unity]

Damn! Thats pretty high up on the charts when it comes to dust in a Mac!

 

[SuperToaster]

OH MAN! I've seen similar on a BTX dell but wow!

 

[techstep]

Wow, it's like someone dumped a whole vacuum bag of dust on that!

 

[techknight]

Yea that's a ton of dust. Surprised it works at all...

 

[MrMacintosh]

Well. I cleaned one with the air compressor and I think it actually started making more arcing noise.

Damn... 

 

[unity]

Might want to try a pressure washer....

 

[techknight]

I had a feeling it would. Its the flyback, its bad. Doesnt surprise me, as the Focus/G2 controls are facing upward! as great dust catchers! Considering the high voltage pulls the dust towards it. = Recipe for disaster. And this is the result. 

You will probably need to replace it. With what? Good question. 

Last resort is getting some deoxit into the Focus/G2 controls to clean out the dirt. But, if its carbon-tracked already, its too late. But it cant hurt to try. However, I dont know what the breakdown voltage of DeOxit is, so be careful!

 

[Hotdog Zanzibar]

Whew, that's a lot of dust. As soon as I saw the pictures, I knew these couldn't have come from Charles!

 

[Juliet Elysa]

Jeez, are there any computers under all that dust? Hard to tell. :lol:

 

[MrMacintosh]

Does anyone have any information on the flyback required? Or a lead on a replacement analog board?