G4 iMac's Ethernet Slowly Dying??

[StingMe]

Ok, here's a weird one...1.25GHz G4 iMac connected to a broadband network of some sort. Upon waking from sleep the internet connection works for about 15 minutes then peters out. Upon restart internet access is restored for maybe 10 minutes, then 5, then not at all. After sleeping for several hours the cycle starts over. Otherwise the iMac appears to be operating fine.

The ethernet cable was removed from the iMac while it was exhibiting this weird behavior and plugged into an iBook - the internet connection was fine. So, what could be going on here? It almost sounds like it might be a heat issue but I've never heard of or experienced this particular weirdness with any other G4 iMacs.

Any assistance will be greatly apreciated - thanks!

[mattkime]

Its possible that its a bad ethernet port.

I'd try a usb->ethernet or usb->wifi adapter.

[Jem]

I've had ethernet ports go out on Several iMac G4s as the result of nearby lightning strikes. Usually the port showed up in System Profiler, but the port did not function.

Using a USB to Ethernet or USB to wifi is a good option, or in my case (several times) I got an airport card and used that.

If you have access to a an external bootable drive you might try booting from a different system in the off chance the problem is with a bad pref or system install. It would be nice if it was a software problem and not a hardware one.

[modelamac]

That sounds like a heat related issue. Electronic components can fail when too hot, but will still work if below that critical temp.

When is the last time your Mac's innards got a good cleaning? Tough to do much internal cleaning on an iMac, I realize, but whatever you can do may help.

[kj4btkljv]

If you have an Apple Retail Store close by, they might do an internal cleaning for you. Those G4 iMacs are tricky to take apart, and if done, require thermal paste on the cooling pipe before you close it back up. Not a walk in the park by any means...

Jeff