On Dec 16, 2010, at 11:55 AM, Al Poulin wrote: > The iMac is now working normally, but I'd like to know if it is on the edge > of permanent failure. > > This is the 20", 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (Mid 2007) machine, the first > "aluminum" model, with original hardware, and running Snow Leopard OS X > 10.6.4. > > In the latter part of Dec 14, my wife said that her iMac "would not start up" > when pressing the start up button. There was no bong and no activity on the > screen. When I checked it on the morning of Dec 15, it would not start up. > In a room where the temperature is 63° F/14°C, I found the entire unit to be > unusually warm. Facing the screen and reaching around the back, the warmest > area was in the upper left. With a stethoscope, I verified that fans and > hard drive were not running. Turning off the power and on again at the UPS > several times produced no change. Turned off the UPS power for about five > hours. With the iMac now cold in the late afternoon, it did a normal startup.
I had one fail with smoke (a little) and a warm spot on the back. It was the power supply and was replaced under warranty. When I took the cover off it was quite clear where the problem was from the smoke residue. > > Checking the Console Logs for both the Admin and the User accounts, I see > nothing to show why the iMac was warm but not running. Both "All Messages" > logs show a shutdown by user about 8:15 PM on Dec 13, and then a startup > about 7:48 AM and shutdown by user about 2 1/2 minutes later on Dec 14. > These logs show nothing until I started it up after allowing it to cool down > on Dec 15. Since it wasn't running there wouldn't be anything in the logs. > > Is there such a thing as a partial startup with no bong from not pressing the > button hard enough? > Can the machine shut down only partially from the Apple Menu command? > Should I look at other logs in Console? No, it's an all or nothing thing. > It sounds like a power supply failure (or other power related circuitry.) Clark Martin Redwood City, CA, USA Macintosh / Internet Consulting "I'm a designated driver on the Information Super Highway" -- You received this message because you are a member of the iMac Group, a group for those using Apple iMacs and eMacs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To leave this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/imaclist
