You never shared exactly what model of iMac was under discussion, but "4+ years" suggests a "Late 2013", which wouldn't be particularly old in my mind. I've got lots of Mid 2011 iMacs (with SSD upgrades) humming along quite nicely w/High Sierra. And a 2013 model supports the newer AirDrop and wake w/Apple Watch, both features I very much appreciate on my newer desktops.
Restarting into Internet Recovery mode, erasing the drive and installing High Sierra cleanly seems like a reasonable step to take before deciding there is a hardware issue. But if the owner just needs an excuse to drop money on a new machine, please make sure he/she doesn't buy an iMac with a single rotating magnetic drive. If they're opting for a 21.5", either go full Flash or go Fusion, but don't get stuck with the slow 5400 RPM 2.5" HD. It's a dog-slow machine and an embarrassment that Apple still sells this configuration. > On Dec 28, 2017, at 12:33 PM, Carl Hoefs <[email protected]> > wrote: > > I’ve tried the D-boot diagnostics thing, and it’s never worked for me. Maybe > other people have more luck with it, but for me it just goes on forever and > never reports anything. > > Seeing as how my friend is "not-so-very-computer-savvy", I think at this > point he’ll be best served by going with a new machine as opposed to > continually futzing with his current system. I can kinda read between the > lines that he wants an excuse to get a new computer anyway, so I’ll just let > it go at that... > > Thanks for all the hints and tips! It’s been quite educational. > -Carl > > >> On Dec 28, 2017, at 1:11 PM, Matt Penna <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> If there's a lingering and longstanding question about malware, you could >> try backing the system up and then wiping it out totally—including deletion >> of all the partitions—just to see if the problem persists after a totally >> clean install with no files or other applications on the machine. That could >> help nail down if it's a hardware problem. >> >> Has he run diagnostics on the machine, himself? Hold the D key at startup >> and it should start the hardware test routine. >> >> On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 12:25 PM, Carl Hoefs >> <[email protected]> wrote: >> Here’s the update: >> >> "OK, I have reset the System Management Controller and the PRAM. Just >> changed the magic mouse batteries last Saturday. Still had the grey screen >> and loss of mouse connection when the iMac woke up this morning. I've had >> issues with this iMac ever since I got that secd security bug and Mac >> Grabber virus over a year ago. Genius Bar doesn't know if the issue is >> hardware or software, and say there’s a $100 part I could “try” swapping >> out. No thanks. The Mac is 4+ years old. I've read 4-5 is average. Time >> to get something new...” >> >> Any last suggestions? >> -Carl _______________________________________________ MacOSX-talk mailing list [email protected] http://www.omnigroup.com/mailman/listinfo/macosx-talk
