Of course, it's possible the MLB was swapped out unofficially but if that were the case the serial number on the back of the machine wouldn't match the About this Mac info window in which case I would be inclined to think it was an OOW repair done by whoever owned it. From a practical perspective it wouldn't matter because iDesk (the AppleCare app advisors use) or GSX (Global Service Exchange primarily for AASP and even ARS and AC Tier 2 Advisors) would still be able correlate any serial number to any associated repair or replacement via those tools.
If you contact an AASP they should be able to tell you (they are usually less cranky then Apple about reveal silly little things like that). I am not so sure though, I tend to believe the same serial would be burned into the new board to keep the serial on the back of the machine or wherever it is to match the About this Mac window.
My recollection tells me that serial numbers won't change even if a board is replaced as part of a repair or some other repair extension program. If a board is swapped, the same serial number is burned in by whoever services them (AASP or ARS). I feel less bad about moving the board to a better chassis if it's not original. I'm not really motivated enough to ring AppleCare about a 20 year old machine, I'm pretty sure they'll just shrug and say they don't know (you can totally do that ovver the phone).
Of course, the other possibility is the MLB was replaced with one sourced from a USA-built PowerMac (via eBay or OWC or similar most likely) used after it was out of warranty. if the machine had been assembled in Cork (as the chassis serial number indicates) but had had the MLB replaced at some stage say because of damage or a failure, would the board have been serial numbered to the USA (where it was likely manufactured) or would it have had the serial overlaid by the technician with the original chassis serial number? The 'Exchange Board' idea was just a theory I thought might fit, so it has no basis really BUT.
Also, I bought a Mac Pro CTO in 2006 and it still came with a CK serial.
This makes some sense now at least.ĬTO options on the G4 PowerMacs were usually SCSI, RAM, CPU speed, and drive configs, so didn't need a main logic board swap, thus I doubt that's the case. Okay, thanks, Alex, that's some useful info there. The board as been in the chassis for a considerable time as the chassis and board are both similarly corroded (the board was moved to a Sawtooth case ultimately because it was in way better condition).ĭoes anyone know what the build location XB is and where this board might have originated? Is it possibly a service 'E Xchange Board' that's been supplied as a spare part? I'm really curious. the XB serial also decodes to a GigE model. The Logic Board has a XB prefix on th serial number and the rest of the number is a mismatch except the last 3 digits (both are JNX, I assume that's something to indicate the model).
The case has a CK serial sticker on the back (notably without any specs on, is that usual?), and the serial number decodes down the a GigE model as it should. The vast majority of PPC Macs in the UK are prefixed CK for Cork, Ireland where Apple formally assembled and pre-checked Macs before European market delivery. One of these, on earlier machines, is the build location. I am often interested in the Seriel number of Macs because they can be decoded into specs and other details. I have a wonderful mystery on my hands realting to the GigE PowerMac G4 I grabbed off eBay and am preserving.