By Prince McLean

Published: 10:00 AM EST

Apple Computer on Monday issued a worldwide repair extension program for Power Mac G5 systems that may experience an issues where the systems fail to start up when a user presses the computer's power button.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based Mac maker said stems from a power-related issue as a result of a specific component failure within the computer's power supply.

"If your Power Mac G5 fails to start up after the power button has been pressed and your computer's serial number is within the noted ranges, your computer may be eligible for repair, free of charge," the company wrote in a posting to its support website.

Identifying affected Power Mac G5 systems

Apple said affected Power Mac G5 models were sold between October 2005 and August 2006 and feature Dual 2GHz, Dual 2.3GHz or Quad 2.5GHz PowerPC G5 processors.

If Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider is able to determine that a specific Power Mac G5 system is eligible as part of the program, the power supply repair will be covered by Apple for up to two years from the original date of purchase even if the computer is out of warranty.

According to the company's support site, affected systems will either exhibit no LED activity or will fail to start up after the power button is pressed. The systems will have serial numbers where the first 5 digits fall into the ranges noted below. Users can locate their Power Mac G5's serial number inside the case directly below the air deflector, along with other configuration information.

Serial number ranges

CK539xxxxxx - CK608xxxxxx
G8539xxxxxx - G8608xxxxxx
YM539xxxxxx - YM608xxxxxx
RM539xxxxxx - RM608xxxxxx

Filing for repairs

In order to participate in the repair extension program, users who believe they affected by the issue must bring their Power Mac G5 to a local Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, or call their local Apple Support Contact Center.

An Apple technical support representative or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will then need to examine the power supply within the user's system to determine if the component failure identified for the Power Mac G5 Repair Extension Program for Power Supply Issues affects the computer and, if so, arrange for the repair, free of charge.

Apple also said it is aware that some customers may have paid for out of warranty repairs that qualify under this program and will provide details to those customers on how to receive reimbursement for those costs.

"There are no known safety issues caused by this component failure," the company said.