Nov
02
Fix for Single Processor G5 Freeze in the works?

Written by: Adam Christianson

Categories: News

We have discussed this issue on the cast before. There is a known issue with some single 1.8 GHz processor G5 Macs where they freeze and lock up more than they should. There is even a web site and petition, g5freeze.com, dedicated to the issue. Well many had hoped one of the hundreds of bug fixes in the just released 10.4.3 update would resolve the issue. It didn’t. The good news is, I have just found out a fix is in the works. A listener just got off the phone AppleCare and the rep said there is a firmware update due out before the end of the year. Apple just needed the 10.4.3 update to be released first. This information comes after the listener had several tech support calls and had his issue escalated, so I would tend to believe him. Stay tuned.

There are 11 comments on Fix for Single Processor G5 Freeze in the works?:

RSS Feed for these comments
  1. Matt Hoult | Nov 02 2005 - 05:24

    This is good news for sure. Thanks Adam and to the listener also.

  2. Troy | Nov 03 2005 - 09:26

    Adam,

    The listener that was getting shocked by his iPod is not alone. I get shocked with none apple ear buds attached to my PC. I attach the phones to the front of the PC, then if I touch the CRT (lots of static), I get shocked in my right ear very consistently. So this seems to be the static electricity conducting through my fingers to the metal in the speaker in the ear buds.

    This definately hurts.

    Hope this helps the listener know that he is not alone.

    Troy

  3. Mike | Nov 03 2005 - 10:43

    -Troy-
    “PC ” …add that to the reasons to switch.

  4. Troy | Nov 03 2005 - 01:51

    I use 2 Macs at home, but I listen to all of my podcasts at work, where I HAVE TO use a PC.

  5. Nick Circosta | Nov 03 2005 - 06:16

    Good News about the Fix however i cant help but say it comes quite late

  6. Jamie | Nov 04 2005 - 10:48

    I have heard many comments over the months of people being told that a fix is ‘imminant’, but here we are 3-4 months later without a fix. I would tend to be sceptical on this claim

  7. Marc | Nov 04 2005 - 05:46

    Lets hope its fixed soon

  8. Alan Rothberg | Nov 05 2005 - 10:47

    It may be too late, but for those that have the Single G5 issue, if you take it to your local Apple store, and have them visit the mentioned site to duplicate the problem, they may swap your unit out.

    From my reading, it appears to be more of a hardware / design issue, so I’m not placing a whole of trust in a firmware upgrade. Though, hopefully, it will work.

    After putting up with a unusable PM for 8 months, Apple gave me a new Dual 2.0 GHz unit. You just have to be polite, but FIRM! After a week in the shop, they told me a fix was on the way, and to come pick it up. But I told them I was not going to pick it from service until I had a working computer. Which was the true, the problem was so severe I could not depend on the computer for everyday tasks. We went around and around for about 3 weeks. Luckily, I had a Mini as a backup, so I could afford to be without it, although it was a pain to run some of my more intensive applications.

    This new unit is the best computer I’ve ever owned. And what a nice bonus it was to get such a upgrade. After 2 months of 24/7 use, this unit has had no problems at all… Thanks Apple!

  9. Kevin | Nov 08 2005 - 03:57

    Some affected users have been able to get their faulty G5 Single Processors swapped out for a working model (such as a dual). However, many have gone the route that Adam suggests and they have been stonewalled (to include me). We’ve been told for months now that a fix is imminent. I really hope that Apple comes out with a fix soon, but I am also skeptical. As a matter of fact, my freeze issues are so bad, I’ve switched to a PC for reliability.

    I’m glad for Alan. However, his attitude is symbolic of the overall attitude of Apple fans. If the problem doesn’t affect them, they don’t care. They say things like, “95% of Mac users have a positive experience.” or “If you are nice to them, direct them to the numerous freezing threads on the internet, pat your belly and rub your head 5 times, you’ll get a replacement.” If these Mac users want to keep lying to themselves, that is fine with me. All I know is when my freezing G5 dies, it will be replaced by a PC, even if they do come out with a fix (too little too late). So long Apple.

  10. Darrall Cutting, Sydney | Nov 10 2005 - 02:07

    Good news about a possible fix. My 20″ iMac G5 has suffered from occasional crashes when waking up from sleep ever since I bought it last Feb05 in Sydney Australia. I had hoped the latest 10.4.3 would fix it, but as you say, no such luck. In fact, the first few times after the update, iMac would crash just about every time from sleep. It does seem to have settled down now, but I still grit my teeth every time I wake her up, expecting the grey screen of death!

  11. Curtman2000 | Nov 15 2005 - 05:51

    Firmware update posted!
    I have already run it and am now testing with all my sleep prefs turned back on and doing video and all the things that seemed to cause the freezes before.
    Good luck to all and thanks to those at Apple who worked on a fix.