What's G5 AHT Test error code "post/1216/0"

[Harry in MI]

I have a G5 PM 2.0 dual, 8slot (June2004) w/10.3.9 that is running with fast fans, if I run the included AHT disk (vers.2.2.5) either the short or long test comes up OK other than the same error code at the bottom of the results box:

***ERROR*CODE***ERROR*CODE***

post/1216/0
***ERROR*CODE***ERROR*CODE***


I've looked on Apple, Googled, etc. but found no referance to this.

The fans start out "Full" (Jet) then settle to about 1/2 (Loud), they slow to nothing during sleep but are still at 1/2 oncew it awakes.

I'm quessing it's time to haul it in to Apple Store but wish I knew what the code meant first.

[rexrzer]

Sounds bad. I just had my G5 get replaced because of a 4th major component failure (2 logic boards, one CPU, and finally a probable 2nd CPU), so I'm pretty familiar with the symptoms of impending major problems. The G5's internal "protection system" invokes speeding up the fans, like you're experiencing, when it detects a faulty component. Are you having kernel panics, or system crashes also? Intermittent, unpredictable events?

Any of the above would point to a logic board or CPU failure.

First things first though. You'll have to strip the G5 down to bare, OEM status, before you can even consider an Apple Hardware Test to work correctly. Even then, it won't necessarily detect a logic board failure (mine never did). And the AHTest does not check the CPUs either. Remove all 3rd party RAM, take out any PCI cards you've installed, disconnect all peripheral devices like printers and UPS. Only have hooked up the OEM Apple Pro Keyboard, and the Optical mouse. That's the first thing you have to do.

Hopefully you have AppleCare, yes? Once you strip the G5 down to the above level, call AppleCare and get a G5 technician on the phone. They'll have you go through some tests on the phone, and if the problem persists, you'll get assigned a unique Case Number. At that point you'll be referred to your local Apple Service Provider, or Apple Store (I preferred taking my G5 down to my local ASProvider compared to the Apple Store, where they mostly outsource diagnosis of hardware problems like G5 CPUs and logic boards).

That's about as much as I can tell you about what to expect next, and what to do now. How your G5's behaving now sounds pretty serious, so get it back to OEM status now and see if that solves your problem first. It could be some bad RAM, some peripheral device/driver issue, etc., so you want to eliminate those causes first.

Good luck, and hope this helped.

________________

[Harry in MI]

Thanks for the response rexrzer, here are some more details:

I bought this machine for $1050. yesterday at ChumpUSA, they actually rang it up as $950.00 so the could sell me Applecare (not Chumpcare) for $149. ($100. off) but show it as $250. on the receipt.

The warranty from Apple on this used?/returned?/demo? machine is about to run out but the Apple employee at ChumpUSA will have it reset by Apple to show yesterday as purchase date.

The Applecare I bought was not activated on the 2.0 machine so I will likely use it for a demo G5 2.5dual I bought last Summer when the 2.7's came out. I then have a year to put Applecare on this new 2.0 machine if I keep it.

Aloso, when I ran the AHT the machine was in fact in it's totally OEM config. 2x256 Ram, stock 160gb Drive, Stock SD, No PCI cards, stock vid card, only Apple KB/Mouse plugged in. The only Software installed was a fresh install of the suppled 10.3.5 brought up to 10.3.9 via Apple Software update (along with the other Apple files for Safari, iLife stuff etc.)

I guess I will wait for the new warranty to kick in then drag it in to the Apple Store.

[Harry in MI]

Also, no freezes or KP's so far. I haven't done much with the machine yet though besides the software installs and Updates/AHT's.