> From: Peter Hinchliffe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2004 08:30:43 +0800
> To: "WAMUG Mailing List" <[email protected]>
> Subject: Re: Strange iMac Problems
>
>
> On 31/01/2004, at 3:57 PM, Antony N. Lord wrote:
>
>> Machine : 400Mhz iMac DV (Graphite)
>>
>> Machine was working fine with OS 9, decide to do a fresh install [with
>> no OS 9], erase HD, partition, install 10.2 (with view to install
>> 10.3)
>>
>> OS X works fine but machine hangs a few hours later. Restart it and it
>> does this :
>>
>> Chimes, powers up (green power switch visible), sound of screen
>> energizing, HD spins up then about 5-6 seconds in (before anything
>> visible appears on screen) the machine partially powers down.
>>
>>
>
> Sounds as though you are the victim of a really, really nasty bug in
> these iMacs. It has already bitten me twice (the second time was really
> embarrassing because I should have remembered from the first time, but
> didn't until it was too late).
>
> Typically, you would have set about installing OS X on the iMac. The
> machine would have started just fine from the CD, then stopped at some
> point, showing a message indicating that the Firmware needed to be
> upgraded. Innocently (and BTW, by now it's already too late) you would
> restart the computer, expecting to have a second chance to update the
> firtmware. By-bye computer. Logic board replacement indicated.
>
> In your case, your machine was one where this little nasty lulls you
> into a false sense of security by not showing up until a few hours
> later. In either case, I'm reliably informed that it's a result of
> MacOS X trying to force a display setting with which the un-updated
> display controller chip cannot cope. The firmware update fixes this,
> but by the time you find there's a problem it's too late. The damage
> has already been done.
>
> There is a note in the MacOS X Read Me that points all of this out.
> Apple's official line is that you should always read the Read Me. The
> guy I spoke to at Tech Support was not even aware of the problem. His
> best advice was to take to my nearest Apple Centre.
>
> One thing is sure. Your computer is dead. You logic board needs to be
> replaced. Not a word to any Windows users you know!
>
I just thought I should point out that Anthony at Computer Trade Centre can
fix this problem without replacing the logic board. Don¹t ask me how he
won't tell me!
