[G4] G5 question

[Richard Klein]

If the G5 is like the G4 it uses OpenFirmware.  That's similar to the
BIOS you're used to, but it uses a command line interface, like DOS
used to.  I don't remember any specific links for info on
OpenFirmware, but there is some good info out there.  I'll leave it
for you to google the info.  Regardless, I doubt you can get into
OpenFirmware without at least some memory.  I don't think you'll get
into BIOS setup screens on a PC without memory, either, but I may be
wrong (but you'll get the speaker beeping some POST codes on a PC, at
least).

Can you bring it into an Apple store and ask them to plug in some RAM
for a second just to make sure it works before you spend money?

-- 
Rich

On Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 10:27 AM, Tony Sheeley <t_sheeley at hotmail.com> wrote:
> I don't know if this question is appropriate on this list, but I don't have
> anyone else to ask.  I've tried google, but not gotten very far.
>
> I've aquired a G5 Dual 1.8Ghz from a studio clearout and it has had the hard
> drives and memory removed. (Didn't cost me anything)
>
> In the wonderful world of PC's, you can set things up (Bios, peripherals
> etc) via and 'F' key during initial start up.  This usually can be done even
> if there are no memory modules or hard drive attached.  Is this sort of
> thing possible on Macs?
>
> I believe it has the stock video card with ADC and DVI outputs.  I've used
> an Apple DVI to VGA adapter and hooked it up to a PC monitor. I've attached
> the (black) apple keyboard and mouse from my G4 and nothing happens.  I'm
> just abit skeptical about buying memory and a SATA drives (that's what the
> connectors look like to me) for a machine that my be totally dead.