All,
update - sorry for long delay, life happens.
I did execute the firmware update procedure from the URL listed
up-thread. It went seamlessly (I held the programmer’s button in with a deer
antler from the greenbelt behind my house - is that a unique way to update an
iMac?)
No change in the ethernet behavior. I did notice that when I command
(via System Preferences -> Network (ethernet) -> advanced -> hardware (I think,
not on the 10.4 machine right now) the rate to 100TX full-duplex, a) the
“connect” light on the hub will turn on, and b) the “power/busy” light will go
off for a while - presumably indicating full blast messages swamping the hub
for a few minutes.
I looked at the Service manual .pdf for that model, and the battery
holder is indeed close to the ethernet port (the whole I/O subpanel, in fact).
Next stop, I’ll pull the cover off the machine and see whether I can
spot any spilled battery electrolyte from the old battery or anything else
suspicious looking on the logic board in that area, and will report what I find.
- Mark
