Apple debuts iMac G5 Support Resources page, Troubleshooting Assistant

Although Apple's iMac Support Resources page has been available for some time, it has recently been updated for the iMac G5 and includes an impressive new "Exclusively for iMac G5 owners" feature, the iMac Troubleshooting Assistant. The assistant walks you through a series of questions, recommending solutions along the way. (Procedures are presented in a step-by-step manner with full-color illustrations and photos.) If the Assistant determines that you have a hardware problem that can be fixed using an iMac G5 "Do-It-Yourself service kit," it allows you to order the kit -- at no charge when the iMac is under warranty -- online. The Troubleshooting Assistant even makes use, when appropriate, of the new diagnostic LEDs on the iMac G5 motherboard.

We tested the Troubleshooting Assistant with a hypothetical "blank monitor" problem caused by a faulty inverter -- a very specific hardware problem. The Assistant first asked us a series of questions to determine that the problem was not software-, PRAM-, or peripheral related. It then had us remove the back cover of the iMac and start the iMac up so that we could view the diagnostic LEDs. We noted that LED #3 was lit, and the Assistant came to the following conclusion:

Troubleshooting No Video

LED #3 is on. This indicates that your inverter needs to be replaced. You can order this part online. Please make note of the name "inverter". In the following pages, you will need to know your computer's serial number and that you want an inverter.

• Order the inverter [link]
• Click here for instructions on replacing the back panel. [link]

The Assistant then asked us for our iMac G5 serial number and proceeded with the process to order a replacement inverter.

Although this online Troubleshooting Assistant is obviously not going to be much help for users with a single iMac who are experiencing problems that prevent them from starting up their computer or accessing the Internet, it's still an impressive resource for those who can access it.

Resources