Apple Mac ON but nothing on screen

Hi there

I have one of the original apple mac - bought in 1999, think it is the G3. It has harldy been used. Have just reconnected it and it makes three beeps when I turn it on - it didn't do this before, and the screen will not come on even though the power is on. Do you have any suggestions as to what might be wrong with it? Thanks for any help you can give me.

Cheers
Katie Hayes

Hi Katie

There could be a number of reasons why you're not getting normal service from your Mac, but you could try a few simple checks:

There could be a number of reasons why you're not getting normal service from your Mac, but you could try a few simple checks:

1. To state the obvious, check the appropriate cables are in the right sockets and a tight fit. Then test.
2. Assuming you have the Blue & White G3; if the green power light is on and you can hear the fan humming, the video card may be loose.
   
   1. Power down the Mac
   2. Open it up
   3. Using the video cable as a reference, trace it to the video card
   4. Gentle remove the video card and using a soft eraser, very gently "erase" the gold contacts. This should remove any oxidation deposited during the time you didn't use the computer.
   5. Replace the video card, connect up and try starting up again.
3. If you still, have no video, and you'd had left the computer unconnected to the mains supply for a length of time, a small battery that powers the internal clock and CMOS settings may have run flat.
   
   1. Open the Mac up again
   2. On the Logic board you'll see a battery about an inch long
   3. Very gently remove it
   4. Goto your nearest Electronic store, eg Maplins and get a replacement for the battery, about £4.
   5. Very gently re-insert the new battery, connect up and see if there are signs of life.
4. If still no signs of life, then I'm afraid it's the electronic mountains in China for the machine, as, really it'll be rather uneconomical to repair.

Regards
MacDoc