G4 Cube turning on and off randomly

[Rick Dangerous]

The past few months my cube will randomly start up (when I bump into my desk for example), sometimes when gaming, it will randomly crash as well (luckily less frequently.)

Recently, I put in a new 80GB HDD, with a fresh OS 9.2.2 install, and also did a new PRAM battery.  I zapped the PRAM 3 times when starting up the first time.

It had no issues for several days after this.   Then randomly, one day, a window popped up on the screen that said "this computer lacks the proper software to go to sleep" and the machine crashed on me.  I went into energy settings after this and changed the sleep setting to "never" rather than 20 minutes.

Since then its been starting up randomly again and has crashed twice.  It really bothers me not being able to leave it plugged in.  I'd like to fix this once and for all.  I tried rezapping the PRAM as well, to no effect.  It crashed after when playing a game. 

I even checked the wires on the power button and blew dust off everything.  I'm not sure but don't think that it's a loose connection.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

 

[haplain]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that Cubes prefer to have 10.4 on them and run 9.2.2 through that. I haven't messed with mine in quite awhile but I don't recall any of them having 9.2.2 as the only OS on the machine.

 

[Rick Dangerous]

When I bought mine it had only 9.2.2 on it from the original owner, so I think they are fine with that...

Just shut mine down about 15 minutes ago, one minute ago it just fires itself up without me touching it....arg.  Going to have to unplug it for now.  

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

Did you try cleaning the power button gasket? They get finicky.

 

[haplain]

I know they had an issue with the touch button being sensitive in certain conditions, high static i.e. lightning storms people said they would turn on. I think people would put a piece, or two, of tape over the button on the inner part to the case to reduce the sensitivity. 

 

[EvilCapitalist]

Mine is presently dual booting 9.2.2 and 10.4.11 with no complaints.  If memory serves, they came with OS 9 from the factory but you needed a machine-specific version, the vanilla OS 9.0 disc wouldn't cut it.

EDIT: Yup, came with OS 9.0.4, and the Garden has the disc images you'll need.

 

[Rick Dangerous]

Did you try cleaning the power button gasket? They get finicky.

I know they had an issue with the touch button being sensitive in certain conditions, high static i.e. lightning storms people said they would turn on. I think people would put a piece, or two, of tape over the button on the inner part to the case to reduce the sensitivity. 

Thanks guys.  Anyone have a link on a "how to" with pictures for a cleaning of the power button?  I have a sneaking suspicion it might be related to this as I've taken my cube apart so many times to upgrade RAM, Video Card, HD, Optical drive...etc. etc...

 

[Rick Dangerous]

Mine is presently dual booting 9.2.2 and 10.4.11 with no complaints.  If memory serves, they came with OS 9 from the factory but you needed a machine-specific version, the vanilla OS 9.0 disc wouldn't cut it.

EDIT: Yup, came with OS 9.0.4, and the Garden has the disc images you'll need.

I would go to the trouble but I don't think it's the HDD.  Fresh install of OS 9.2.2 on a fresh hard drive and the computer is behaving the same as before.  I think it must have something to do with a piece of dust or sensitivity in the power button area. 

EDIT: This is helpful:

https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageApple/comments/5zpsne/g4_cube_power_button_question/#bottom-comments

will have to try taking the foam ring off and putting in some paper (yikes) or tape? (electrical or scotch?)

 

[ScutBoy]

OS 9 was the original OS. Cubes do fine with OS 9

I concur with the "finicky power button" diagnosis. I've had it pop up on more than one Cube, and no one fix is 100%. Combination of gasket/tape/paper will eventually work.

I just use the button on the front of the Cinema Display for mine - obviously not an option if you don't have the Apple display. You need to disconnect the power button inside the cube for this to be effective.

 

[Rick Dangerous]

Well this is interesting:  http://www.smalldog.com/techtails/46/

"The front power gasket (Apple TIL #88044) can be another reason for a
misbehaving Cube. If your cube randomly turns on or off, especially if it
happens when you bump the desk on which the computer sits, look to the power
button gasket. While reading about this failure in a lot of different
sources, I've found several possible fixes for the power button issue. One
source states that you should take the switch apart and make sure that the
metallic disk within the switch is firmly seated in the housing. Another
states that the power button is too sensitive, which you can solve by simply
taping a piece of paper to the backside of the power button, between the
cube and the gasket. I tried that one, and it fixed the random powering on
and off, but I could not put the cube to sleep. After trying various things,
some that I'm too embarrassed to mention, I discovered that removing the
power gasket and turning it over so that it makes better contact with the
metal ring of the power button solves the problem in most of the Cubes."

 

[Rick Dangerous]

So I:

-flipped the rubber gasket so contact is better

-cut a piece of paper to cover the button

-used two strips of electrical tape

I will report back.  I can confirm that the computer started with that in there, and it took an extra prod or two to get it started (I consider a good sign given its recent history haha.)

I do have the original Cinema Display, but its a little 15" incher, a little small for my tastes these days.  Keeping an eye out for a 20" but for now using a flat panel Nec MultiSync 1970vx that works well with my Atari 1040st and other retro gaming applications (works nicely for my Pismo as well.)

Thanks for everyones input and again i'll re-visit this thread in a few days with results. 

 

[rsolberg]

I agree the spontaneous powerering on, shutting down, and attempt to sleep is probably related to the power button sensitivity issue. The message about not a being able to sleep is something else I think. If the system still won't sleep, or you experience other power-related issues, I think resetting the Power Management Unit (PMU) would be a good idea. I've linked to Apple's article on the matter.

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/ht1939

EDIT: TYPO!

 

[Rick Dangerous]

Thanks, PMU will be my next step if my power button solutions don't work.

 

[beachycove]

My original install cds for the Cube are 9.1 (and successfully install on everything that can run it). 9.2 was an update that, as I recall, came after OSX was first released, or possibly with it. Or so it was chez moi.

I was one of the 25 people who bought one new back in the early naughties. Ho ho.

 

[Rick Dangerous]

I hate to jump to only conclusions because it's only been a day or so...but i've had zero problems since doing the above mod.

How ghetto is that mod by the way!  A piece of paper and two strips of electrical tape haha.  

Well....whatever works. At least you can't see it on the outside.

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

Early capacitive tech, it’s a little wonky.

 

[Rick Dangerous]

The above fix 100% solved any issues I was having, FYI! 

 

[Macdrone]

yep those buttons have had issues for years.  Glad your all fixed up.  

 

[SlateBlue]

A circle cut from an anti-static bag will work, too.