(update5/31)This 4th Imac/ hard drive crashed

[Zmmin3]

Not sure why I couldnt update thread title?

Imac #4, cd/dvd drive no longer functioning update in first post

"If you are reading this thread for the first time, this thread originally started off as trying to figure out how long the exchange process took. Since then it has taken a different direction with problems I have had with refurbs concerning the power fluctuations, crashing hard drives, CD/DVD drive malfunctioning.

Refurb #1 bad power supply confirmed by Apple
------
Refurb #2 left side of display twice as bright as right side but no electrical issues.
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Refurb #3 causing house lights to blink when unit is OFF or in Sleep Mode retunred to Apple for Refurb #4
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Refurb #4 refurb same problem as 3rd was determined house wiring not grounded
Refurb #4 May 31st 2009 hard drive died only 2 months old, Apple replaced hard drive
Refurb #4 March 15, 2010 DVD/CD drive malfunctioning making loud noises and not playing CDs or DVD's
"

[sickmacdoc]

I don't remember exactly how long it was, but when I needed to do that once a couple of years ago I called on a weekday afternoon and got the callback the following morning. Definitely less than 24 hours at any rate.

[Zmmin3]

thanks for the reply :)

I called last night but havent heard anything yet so another reason I was wondering

[VoodooDaddy]

Only been through this once before. When I called Applecare and they determined the computer was defective they set up the RMA right then and there. Seems odd that you have waiting for someone to call you.

[Zmmin3]

I called Apple early evening yesterday. They couldnt give me an answer on when the "RMA" dept would call. The rep said since the request had come in on late Thursday thats possibly why I hadnt gotten a call on Friday. That its "possible" they will call as soon as sometime Monday.

Problem with that, I will be at work so I wont be there to get call at home and I have lousy cell coverage at work if they try the cell.

So even if they leave a voice mail on home phone I wont get it until after 5pm and thats after the RMA dept closes(or so I was told). If I have to actually talk to them between 9 and 5 thats def going to be a problem.

If this is the hassle I have to go through with a refurb I am definitely thinking about being done with it.

[VoodooDaddy]

Call Apple now and tell them this is unacceptable and you want it done now.

[Zmmin3]

kind of a long update: :o

I did call Apple again on Saturday. The person I got this time found it not acceptable that I had not been called yet and actually got someone on the line from the exchange/sales dept.

The rep from this dept told me an email had been sent out the previous night with an RMA label to print out. I checked my email while on the phone with her. The email had come in sometime in the late morning not the night before(that may have been an email issue) I apologized for calling but mentioned the only reason I called was that I had been told I would be called not emailed. She did say that I should have been also called.

She had me click on the link for the label to make sure I could access it. Turned out the link didnt work. So she resent the RMA link. This time I was able to access Fed-ex's label and print it out.

The rep went on to say to speed up the process that once I got the tracking number to call them back and that would get the exchanged computer released that day.

Monday(yesterday):

So I take the Imac down to the Fedex center, drop it off and get my tracking number. I called the Apple number that the rep on Saturday had given me. I explained to the rep( I got a different one than Sat) why I had called. This rep goes on to say, that what the rep on Saturday was not correct.:rolleyes: That the computer could not be released.

She said she could go ahead and get the process going though but the computer would probably not ship out until the 23rd at the earliest. I told her (in a very polite way of course) that it was kind of upsetting to get a computer that worked one day, now I have to wait until the end of next week before I could get another one. That the whole process I have had to go through(the taking it to an Apple store, making several calls) has given me second thoughts on ever getting another refurb again seeing that this was my first Apple computer.

At this point she offered for an extra $150 that she would give me the current 24" 2.66 model (that normally runs $1499, the refurb I had got was the 24" 2.8 model with the dedicated video card.) She said that if I got the new one, it would go today. So another words she was giving me $150.00 off of a new model and it would go out that day.

I knew that new model came with an integrated card and I wanted a dedicated card. I declined and told her I really didnt want to spend anymore money. Thats one of the reasons I had gotten a refurb. So with the money saved with the refurb I could get Applecare. At this point she offered to give me the Applecare for just $19.99. I accepted :) That also once the computer was ready to ship it would be sent business next day class. :)

Thinking about it today when she was offering the new one, I should have just asked for one of the clearance 24" 2.8 models :rolleyes:

[Markov]

Congratulations!!! I just got my new 20" iMac and it seems to have heating issues, or logic board issues. I bought it from newegg and I'm taking it in tomorrow and received it less than 14 days ago. I'm hoping they help me out like they did for you. Even if it is fixed on the spot. I doubt it though....

[Ibonic]

Thinking about it today when she was offering the new one, I should have just asked for one of the clearance 24" 2.8 models :rolleyes:

Yeah. Voodoo gave good advice. I think it pays to remember this, that anytime Apple inconvenience you on their fault, be prepared to get something from their part in return. You probably could've gotten a 24" clearance for the same price as the refurb, since it shouldn't have even shipped considering the faulty wiring. Hopefully smooth sailing from hereon.

[Hellhammer]

I'll also have to do this same thing. Got stuck pixel 5 days after delivery so I called Apple and they'll give me a replacement

[Zmmin3]

Update of sorts...

Back on Monday when the rep said they would give me the Applecare for $19.99, I asked if it would ship with the computer or by itself. She said its at a different warehouse so it would ship immediately via next day and I should have it by the next day(Tuesday). Well Monday evening I kept track of it through the online status screen. It was there and marked as delivery on 17th-18th.

Tuesday came, I checked the status. It still showed as not shipped, never received tracking number for it.

Today(Wednesday) I checked again. It still showed as supposed to be delivered by today BUT it also showed as NOT being shipped.:rolleyes:
I checked email, no tracking number.

So again I called Apple just to make sure this wasnt lost in the system.
( I swear I should just go ahead and put Apple's phone number into my speed dial on my phone).

Turns out for "some reason" the Applecare was not released. He also checked into the computer as well. According to him, both would be shipping via FedEx next day business class "soon" and I should have both by the 19th and no later than the 23rd.

We'll see...........

[jesterscourt]

I hope it all works out for you in the end.

[Zmmin3]

first an update on how the first exchange process ended.
Wedneday(3/18) I kept checking the online status. It went from not shipped to being prepaired for shipment to shipped which was 6pm :) Also received tracking number at that time as well. FedEx tried to deliver the next day:) but seeing I was at work, I need to go to the center to pick it up. I received the computer and the applecare package as well.

So the turn around process from when I first reported the problem to receiving the exchange was 1 week but I think that was because I kept up on it. If I had not, it might have been another 2-3 days before it was shipped.

Soooo as I stated above...yes first exchange process.

This second Imac has a severe brightness gradient. This time I waisted no time phone wise waiting for this person or that person to call me back.
I stated right off the bat, that I wanted an exchange seeing as I was in the 14 day period. Didnt want to take it anywhere to get it looked at.
I went from tier 1, to tier 2, then onto sales/rma department.
She got the process going and said I will be receiving an email with the link to RMA labels in 24-48 hours.

[patricem]

first an update on how the first exchange process ended.
Wedneday(3/18) I kept checking the online status. It went from not shipped to being prepaired for shipment to shipped which was 6pm :) Also received tracking number at that time as well. FedEx tried to deliver the next day:) but seeing I was at work, I need to go to the center to pick it up. I received the computer and the applecare package as well.

So the turn around process from when I first reported the problem to receiving the exchange was 1 week but I think that was because I kept up on it. If I had not, it might have been another 2-3 days before it was shipped.

Soooo as I stated above...yes first exchange process.

This second Imac has a severe brightness gradient. This time I waisted no time phone wise waiting for this person or that person to call me back.
I stated right off the bat, that I wanted an exchange seeing as I was in the 14 day period. Didnt want to take it anywhere to get it looked at.
I went from tier 1, to tier 2, then onto sales/rma department.
She got the process going and said I will be receiving an email with the link to RMA labels in 24-48 hours.

Will you exchange it for another 2.8? Do they pay the return shipping?

[Zmmin3]

Will you exchange it for another 2.8? Do they pay the return shipping?

yes and yes.....this will be my last attempt with the refurb....

[Zmmin3]

well, 24 hours have come and gone. Granted she did say 24 to 48.

I have to say I have never ever had this much trouble with trying to exchange an item before.

[VoodooDaddy]

They say "24-48hr" but typically the email comes in 5min. If you've waited a whole day already call back and complain.

If I didn't have bad luck I'd have no luck. But thankfully I've had great experiences with apples CS and their refurb products. I did have a bad macbook last year that had to be returned. They shipped the replacement overnight before I sent the bad one back.

[Zmmin3]

They say "24-48hr" but typically the email comes in 5min. If you've waited a whole day already call back and complain.

If I didn't have bad luck I'd have no luck. But thankfully I've had great experiences with apples CS and their refurb products. I did have a bad macbook last year that had to be returned. They shipped the replacement overnight before I sent the bad one back.

I am going to be near the fed-ex facility later today so I did go ahead and call again to find out when I was going to get it. Only response I could get from the person was that a different department handles that so she didn't know and hopefully sometime today. I asked if she could contact that department to find out. She said she couldn't and she could only send them email and that's it :confused: I asked how come someone is able to contact them(thats what happened with my first exchange) and you cant? She just apologized and said she could send an email to that department but that was the best she could do.

She offered to give me a full refund at this point. I almost accepted but decided to see what happens first.

[petermcphee]

Another company may have offered less support/service for purchase of a refurbished machine. Apple supports the heck out of them, which is why I will likely buy refurbished machines in the future.

[myuserid08]

I've returned a few new and refurbished iMacs before and never had the problems that you seem to be experiencing.
All I do is phone up explain the fault, they then setup an RMA for the old mac and ship out a new or refurbished mac same day for next day delivery. Apple delays the courier pick-up so I have time to transfer files/settings which is nice of them :)

I would give them a call and demand a refund they will soon sort things out.

[Zmmin3]

I would give them a call and demand a refund they will soon sort things out.

She did offer to refund my money seeing how unhappy I was with how things were being handled. So at this point I am thinking they really aren't all that interested in trying to keep my business,(that might not be so but at this point that is how I am feeling)

I also just found out, when something is being returned because it is defective, a different Returns Department handles it(as opposed to returns that arent defective) and that is why it takes much longer than usual to get the RMA out.

[Zmmin3]

I got my RMA labels just as I was getting ready to leave yesterday evening. So I was able to to get it into FedEx.
Called Apple and gave them the tracking number. They confirmed it and released the computer...to be processed, not shipped.
According to her, it is officially suppose to ship in 3-5 days but also possible that would ship as earlier. Possibly even as early as today BUT officially
it will take 3-5 days before it would ship.

Way my luck has gone, I am thinking the 5 days before it will ship.

[dwl017]

I got my RMA labels just as I was getting ready to leave yesterday evening. So I was able to to get it into FedEx.
Called Apple and gave them the tracking number. They confirmed it and released the computer...to be processed, not shipped.
According to her, it is officially suppose to ship in 3-5 days but also possible that would ship as earlier. Possibly even as early as today BUT officially
it will take 3-5 days before it would ship.

Way my luck has gone, I am thinking the 5 days before it will ship.

I understand your concerns but you are blowing the whole thing way out of proportion! When ever something goes wrong in our lives we want immediate gratification and we want it now! Unfortunately that’s not how things work...

I recently had my main computer system go in for repair which took roughly 3 weeks give or take a few days and yes I will admit the first few days you go through a bit of withdrawal but after the first week had past I found it very refreshing to be offline for awhile which gave me time to really catch up on my rest and start to feel like a real person again. I live in a large metro area where people do not even look up anymore, they stare into the PC all day at work then stare into the Blackberry on the train ride home then sit in front of the PC at home during the evening.

I recently read a post here on MR about someone getting a new Mac Mini and how they spent every day checking the tracking number atleast every 20 mins.

Relax enjoy the break!

[Whackintosh]

I understand your concerns but you are blowing the whole thing way out of proportion! When ever something goes wrong in our lives we want immediate gratification and we want it now! Unfortunately that’s not how things work...


When you plunk down money and buy a unit that malfunctions immediately, there is no way any consumer should feel its okay to be jerked around for weeks instead of just getting a proper replacement. Instant gratification should be the name of the game with a new purchase. Do we buy something but only pay Apple a few months later when we feel like paying? No. They get their instant gratification at the time of sale, and the consumer should as well.

[Zmmin3]

well I received my 3rd one yesterday over nighted....
I plug it in...and....it has the same problem as the first one!:mad:
Just simply plugging it into the light socket causes the lights in the house to blink. I didnt even turn it on, just plugged it in. Its just like my first refurb which was diagnosed as a bad power supply!

I know this isnt the norm because the 2nd exchange didnt do it.

Now I dont know what to do. I really wanted an Imac and the refurb is what I could afford but seeing as I keep getting all the crap ones and I am tired of the exchange process, I am tempted to walk away from it all now.

So for those keeping score...first refurb basically DOA,
second refurb no problems with the power supply, didnt make the house light blinks,
this third one display is better but back to having a bad power supply.

[txnoob]

I'm not trying to be an A$$ or anything, just maybe a little devil's advocate. Is there any way possible it could be the outlet. 3 bad in a row is really really crappy. I'm not saying it's your wiring, I just wanted to throw that out there.

[VoodooDaddy]

I'm not trying to be an A$$ or anything, just maybe a little devil's advocate. Is there any way possible it could be the outlet. 3 bad in a row is really really crappy. I'm not saying it's your wiring, I just wanted to throw that out there.

I have to agree. One bad system is surprising, 2 is shocking, 3 in a row is just unheard of. Bad socket, bad wiring, bad something. I cant see how anyone could have this much bad luck.

[Zmmin3]

I'm not trying to be an A$$ or anything, just maybe a little devil's advocate. Is there any way possible it could be the outlet. 3 bad in a row is really really crappy. I'm not saying it's your wiring, I just wanted to throw that out there.

Oh I know you are not, but as I mentioned the 2nd one I got had no electrical issues like this. The first one which had the same symptoms as this one was diagnosed at the applestore as indeed having a bad power supply.

If the second one had done it then maybe I would think there was other problems but it didnt. I have even used different surge protectors, moved it to different rooms.

The problem goes away when I turn it on BUT comes back when the computer is turned off or goes into sleep mode. When I turn it off I have to unplug it to get the lights to stop blinking. Again the second one did not have this problem.

I called Apple and I am suppose to call the cr department on Monday to discuss the issue with them.

[txnoob]

Oh I know you are not, but as I mentioned the 2nd one I got had no electrical issues like the first and this third one. The first one which had the same symptoms as this one was diagnosed at the applestore as indeed having a bad power supply.

If the second one had done it then maybe I would think there was other problems but simply plugging an electrical device into an outlet shouldnt cause the lights the flicker. I have even used different surge protectors.

I called Apple and I am suppose to call the cr department on Monday to discuss the issue with them.

Good luck man. I'm not saying they owe you anything, but it would be nice if after all your trouble they offered the new equivalent or a new last gen or something. Heck it would be nice to have one tested before they send it out to make sure. Anyway, wish a speedy successful resolution to your problem.

[Zmmin3]

Good luck man. I'm not saying they owe you anything, but it would be nice if after all your trouble they offered the new equivalent or a new last gen or something. Heck it would be nice to have one tested before they send it out to make sure. Anyway, wish a speedy successful resolution to your problem.

I havent asked for any compensations but they have given me a couple. Only thing I really wanted was a working computer. I really wanted an Imac but tonight am going out to look at windows laptops to have a back up plan.

[Zmmin3]

Good luck man. I'm not saying they owe you anything, but it would be nice if after all your trouble they offered the new equivalent or a new last gen or something.

Let me throw this at those that have been following along....

After these refurbs have been giving me so much trouble I thought about getting the clearance version, 24" 2.8 perhaps.
As far as getting the new current version,the only current version that has a dedicated video card is the 2.93 which is $600.

Just kinda wondering if its worth another $600 just get past this problem....:confused:

[VoodooDaddy]

And to think Im irritated with refurbs because I never get any unexpected "upgrades" like alot of people seem to get. Ive bought 5 refurbs and all have come with stock specs. :eek:

[patricem]

Let me throw this at those that have been following along....

After these refurbs have been giving me so much trouble I thought about getting the clearance version, 24" 2.8 perhaps.
As far as getting the new current version,the only current version that has a dedicated video card is the 2.93 which is $600.

Just kinda wondering if its worth another $600 just get past this problem....:confused:

How about the clearance 2.8? That would be cheaper for you. Do you have the edu discount?

[Zmmin3]

How about the clearance 2.8? That would be cheaper for you. Do you have the edu discount?

Yah know whats weird I called about 24" 2.8 thats in the clearance section.
I was told that one is a previous generation white model. I said it appears to have same specs as the most recent alum one. She said they are all out of the 24" 2.8 aluminum in the clearance section, that is a previous generation white one listed :confused:

[Lordedmond]

well I received my 3rd one yesterday over nighted....
I plug it in...and....it has the same problem as the first one!:mad:
Just simply plugging it into the light socket causes the lights in the house to blink. I didnt even turn it on


Your house wiring system mystifies me ( I am an Electrical Engineer , for 40 years ) pc/mac have a load that requires them to be plugged into a power outlet that is correctly earthed. They should not be plugged into a LIGHTING circuit , the wiring is much smaller and is protected with a smaller fuse/mcb, with the load a pc/mac imposes you will get volt drop , the wiring being smaller is unable to absorb the harmonics ( odd order ) that the PSU produces


BTW surge protectors are a wast of time , the only way to protect the pc/mac is to use a proper UPS system that has a buck and boost facility

[patricem]

Yah know whats weird I called about 24" 2.8 thats in the clearance section.
I was told that one is a previous generation white model. I said it appears to have same specs as the most recent alum one. She said they are all out of the 24" 2.8 aluminum in the clearance section, that is a previous generation white one listed :confused:

Doesn't doesn't make sense does it? So is it a white model with 2.8 etc etc? If so maybe go for that! Matte screen then I wonder or glossy? I would pin her down to exactly what they are offering.

[patricem]

Your house wiring system mystifies me ( I am an Electrical Engineer , for 40 years ) pc/mac have a load that requires them to be plugged into a power outlet that is correctly earthed. They should not be plugged into a LIGHTING circuit , the wiring is much smaller and is protected with a smaller fuse/mcb, with the load a pc/mac imposes you will get volt drop , the wiring being smaller is unable to absorb the harmonics ( odd order ) that the PSU produces


BTW surge protectors are a wast of time , the only way to protect the pc/mac is to use a proper UPS system that has a buck and boost facility

What's a UPS system? Thx

[Lordedmond]

What's a UPS system? Thx

Its a battery backed power supply


Uninterrupted Power Supply


See link below

http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=17

[Zmmin3]

Your house wiring system mystifies me ( I am an Electrical Engineer , for 40 years ) pc/mac have a load that requires them to be plugged into a power outlet that is correctly earthed. They should not be plugged into a LIGHTING circuit , the wiring is much smaller and is protected with a smaller fuse/mcb, with the load a pc/mac imposes you will get volt drop , the wiring being smaller is unable to absorb the harmonics ( odd order ) that the PSU produces


BTW surge protectors are a wast of time , the only way to protect the pc/mac is to use a proper UPS system that has a buck and boost facility


Thing is the 2nd Imac refurb I had did not have this particular problem. If that one also had done the same thing as this one I would have started to believe it had a problem with the wiring. Plus the first one that had this same symptons was diagnosed as having a bad power supply at the apple store. Also none of the other computers I have ever had have given me this problem.

I was looking at getting a UPS system to see if that helped but I am having a talk with Apple today and seeing what they say first.

[J&JPolangin]

...I missed what was wrong with your second iMac and why you returned that only to get another lemon?

[Zmmin3]

...I missed what was wrong with your second iMac and why you returned that only to get another lemon?

On the second one, the display was 100% brighter on the left side.

[Zmmin3]

Talked to customer relations today, they apologized for these problems I was having. They offered me a refund, so that I could go to an apple store and get one. That way I could check out right at the store and make sure it was okay. I said the problem with that is that this is a previous generation model and not offered in stores and to get a dedicated graphics card means spending an extra $600.00 something I really don't want to do if I don't have to.

I asked about getting the clearance one, they could do that if I wanted to pay the 300.00 difference. So I passed on that for the moment.

So they are sending me an RMA, and when this one gets sent back will send me the 4th refurb. At this point all I can do is shake my head and laugh.

(edit) Just got my RMA, fastest reponse so far :)

Maybe this is fate telling me I am not meant to have an Apple....ya think?

[txnoob]

Good luck to you sir! Just for kicks, plug it in somewhere else. LOL:D

Seriously though. I think you need a Mac, don't let the refurb fiasco stain how great the OS is.

[Zmmin3]

Good luck to you sir! Just for kicks, plug it in somewhere else. LOL:D


Oh I went all over the house with it yesterday, kitchen, basement same result.

[patricem]

Talked to customer relations today, they apologized for these problems I was having. They offered me a refund, so that I could go to an apple store and get one. That way I could check out right at the store and make sure it was okay. I said the problem with that is that this is a previous generation model and not offered in stores and to get a dedicated graphics card means spending an extra $600.00 something I really don't want to do if I don't have to.

I asked about getting the clearance one, they could do that if I wanted to pay the 300.00 difference. So I passed on that for the moment.

So they are sending me an RMA, and when this one gets sent back will send me the 4th refurb. At this point all I can do is shake my head and laugh.

(edit) Just got my RMA, fastest reponse so far :)

Maybe this is fate telling me I am not meant to have an Apple....ya think?

Isn't the clearance $200 more? If you have edu discount would only be $100 more. For you might be worth it, altho I know more money is more money. Hopefully #4 is the winner. I'd never go back to Windows even if it took me 12 refurbs. :)

[txnoob]

Oh I went all over the house with it yesterday, kitchen, basement same result.

Maybe the damage was already done from the first outlet....

Okay, seriously, I'm just playing. And genuine good luck wishes.:)

[patricem]

Oh I went all over the house with it yesterday, kitchen, basement same result.

So where do things stand now?

[Tudeski]

Your house wiring system mystifies me ( I am an Electrical Engineer , for 40 years ) pc/mac have a load that requires them to be plugged into a power outlet that is correctly earthed. They should not be plugged into a LIGHTING circuit , the wiring is much smaller and is protected with a smaller fuse/mcb, with the load a pc/mac imposes you will get volt drop , the wiring being smaller is unable to absorb the harmonics ( odd order ) that the PSU produces


BTW surge protectors are a wast of time , the only way to protect the pc/mac is to use a proper UPS system that has a buck and boost facility

Could you point to a link for a good UPS system online? What would you suggest a person uses for a computer?

[Tudeski]

Talked to customer relations today, they apologized for these problems I was having. They offered me a refund, so that I could go to an apple store and get one. That way I could check out right at the store and make sure it was okay. I said the problem with that is that this is a previous generation model and not offered in stores and to get a dedicated graphics card means spending an extra $600.00 something I really don't want to do if I don't have to.

I asked about getting the clearance one, they could do that if I wanted to pay the 300.00 difference. So I passed on that for the moment.

So they are sending me an RMA, and when this one gets sent back will send me the 4th refurb. At this point all I can do is shake my head and laugh.

(edit) Just got my RMA, fastest reponse so far :)

Maybe this is fate telling me I am not meant to have an Apple....ya think?

Either that or refurbs can be total crap!

[Zmmin3]

Well the 4th refurb is currently up at the Apple Store awaiting diagnostic tests.

I took it out of box...the second it was plugged into socket, the house lights started flickering.

I know you are all saying it must be the house power then since 3 out of the 4 had done that....

I would agree EXCEPT, the second mac did not have this issue. Why would the 2nd not have this problem but the others do? I have a notebook and another desktop computer, neither have caused this type of issue.

So I made an appointment with the genius bar up at the Apple store and took it in last night. I explained my dilemma thus far, he himself said this shouldnt be going on especially if no other device causes this type of problem and also since the 2nd one did not have this type of issue. He advised instead of doing another exchange that I actually leave it there so they could run diagnostic tests on it and to try to track down what the problem might actually be. He said they should know something(or nothing) in 3-5 days.

Is it possible Apple got a bad batch of replacement parts?
I work in a manufacturing facility and it has happened where we have gotten large batch of bad parts in.

[patricem]

Well the 4th refurb is currently up at the Apple Store awaiting diagnostic tests.

I took it out of box...the second it was plugged into socket, the house lights started flickering.

I know you are all saying it must be the house power then since 3 out of the 4 had done that....

I would agree EXCEPT, the second mac did not have this issue. Why would the 2nd not have this problem but the others do? I have a notebook and another desktop computer, neither have caused this type of issue.

So I made an appointment with the genius bar up at the Apple store and took it in last night. I explained my dilemma thus far, he himself said this shouldnt be going on especially if no other device causes this type of problem and also since the 2nd one did not have this type of issue. He advised instead of doing another exchange that I actually leave it there so they could run diagnostic tests on it and to try to track down what the problem might actually be. He said they should know something in 3-5 days.

Is it possible Apple got a bad batch of replacement parts?
I work in a manufacturing facility and it has happened where we have gotten large batch of bad parts in.

Oh gosh. Please keep us posted I really want to know what you find out. Thats really weird.

[txnoob]

I think the iMac has a higher draw and therefore why are you experiencing these problems. There is no way this is the iMac after the 4th one. Can't explain the 2nd iMac, more resilient maybe ? Anyway. You must look at the possibility that the problem may be the wiring in your home.

[supernet33]

I think the iMac has a higher draw and therefore why are you experiencing these problems. There is no way this is the iMac after the 4th one. Can't explain the 2nd iMac, more resilient maybe ? Anyway. You must look at the possibility that the problem may be the wiring in your home.

I agree, It has to be the wiring at your place!

[Zmmin3]

I think the iMac has a higher draw and therefore why are you experiencing these problems. There is no way this is the iMac after the 4th one. Can't explain the 2nd iMac, more resilient maybe ? Anyway. You must look at the possibility that the problem may be the wiring in your home.

I agree, It has to be the wiring at your place!

Well if its because the computer draw so much power, tell me why when I actually turn the computer ON the problem stops????

The problem only occurs when the computer is off or in sleep mode.

When its actually on and I am doing something with it, there is no flickering at all.
The minute it goes into sleep mode or is turned off, the constant flickering comes back.

I could understand it if the the power thing if the lights flickering when I have it on but it doesnt. The problem is only there when its in sleep mode or off.

I know you are all trying to offer solutions and its appreciated....just weird that if the problem is that it draws so much power, the problem goes away when its actually turned on.

[txnoob]

Well if its because the computer draw so much power, tell me why when I actually turn the computer ON the problem stops????

The problem only occurs when the computer is off or in sleep mode.

When its actually on and I am doing something with it, there is no flickering at all.
The minute it goes into sleep mode or is turned off, the constant flickering comes back.

I could understand it if the the power thing if the lights flickering when I have it on but it doesnt. The problem is only there when its in sleep mode or off.

I know you are all trying to offer solutions and its appreciated....just weird that if the problem is that it draws so much power, the problem goes away when its actually turned on.

I apologize, I missed that earlier in the thread. I thought it only had problems when it was on or attempted to be on. To me, this seems to signal even more that it's your wiring. Just me.

[Consultant]

Buy a UPS

well I received my 3rd one yesterday over nighted....
I plug it in...and....it has the same problem as the first one!:mad:
Just simply plugging it into the light socket causes the lights in the house to blink. I didnt even turn it on, just plugged it in. Its just like my first refurb which was diagnosed as a bad power supply!

I know this isnt the norm because the 2nd exchange didnt do it.

Now I dont know what to do. I really wanted an Imac and the refurb is what I could afford but seeing as I keep getting all the crap ones and I am tired of the exchange process, I am tempted to walk away from it all now.

So for those keeping score...first refurb basically DOA,
second refurb no problems with the power supply, didnt make the house light blinks,
this third one display is better but back to having a bad power supply.

Sounds like wiring problem at your home.

[Zmmin3]

Buying a UPS is actually my next step provided that they find nothing wrong.

Whats the mininum I would need for the Imac....also tripplight or APC?

[Lordedmond]

it the odd order harmonics from the psu ie 7 and 9

they can be greater when the psu is lightly loaded

I will give an example

an office wing at work ( bank ) when i did that silly thing, a three phase supply had 30 amp phase one 30 amp phase two and 30 amps phase three so by maths the current in the neutral should have been zero ,not so on test it was 90 amps and warm to the touch


thats why I do think that you have a problem with you house supply being to light to absorb these harmonics


to answer your UPS question you would need a 750 VA apc , note they are rated in volt amps not watts , in a single phase ac circuit watts = volt * amps * power factor

eg say 200 volts * 3.75 amp at untiy PF would indeed be 750 watts , but in the real world the pf could be as low as 0.6 lag

therefore 200 * 3.75 * 0.6 = 450 watts

which is about enough for a IMac , a 1000va model would be better

[fhall1]

It has to be something in your wiring....the odds of having four machines in a row be bad like that are astonomical enough that if they were all bad, you should get yourself a lottery ticket. Then you can win enough to buy a new machine! Don't plug in another one until you have a decent UPS. Or have them plug it in at the Apple store in front of you so you can see that it works.

BTW, I bought a refurb and except for the brown box, there's no way you could have told it wasn't new.

[VoodooDaddy]

Take the computer to a neighbors house and see what happens. I have to agree with the rest of the posts, there is no possible way you have gotten 4 faulty machines in a row. Hope you get it sorted out.

[gmanrique]

Check if the same happens there. No need for overnight test to do this, just plug it in when you bring it in. Just a suggestion.

I got an iMac 24 (2.8) refurb almost a month ago and it is great. Unless absolutely necessary, I am thinking about only getting refurbs from now on. (Have bought 3 other new macs)

[txnoob]

So tell us how this saga ended???

[VoodooDaddy]

Check if the same happens there. No need for overnight test to do this, just plug it in when you bring it in. Just a suggestion.

I got an iMac 24 (2.8) refurb almost a month ago and it is great. Unless absolutely necessary, I am thinking about only getting refurbs from now on. (Have bought 3 other new macs)

Ive only bought 1 new Mac, my first one about 3yrs ago, a mini. Since then I have bought 5 refurbs. Will likely never buy new again as the value of the refurb far outweighs the slight performance gain of new hardware. I bought the same 24" about 2 days after the release of the new iMacs.

Only had 1 issues with a refurb. A Macbook last year was having kernel panics right out of the box. Apple overnighted another unit to replace that one. So I would never hesitate to buy and recommend refurbished from Apple.

[patricem]

Did you figure anything out yet?

[patricem]

So what happened? Please post update, okay?

[Zmmin3]

:o Sorry folks for the delay in the updates. I have been on the go constantly since Friday.

Apple store called me on Friday afternoon. As far as all the diagnostic tests, they said they tested each component. They all came up as showing as working in normal parameters. Nothing out of the ordinary.

He also mentioned maybe the wiring in the house.

I countered with "If that was the case, why didnt the 2nd one do that then? His answer was that he didnt know why.

I said I could undestand that if it did it under full power but why when its only off or in sleep?

So I went and picked it up Friday night and brought it home. I have not even plugged it in since I brought it home trying to decide what to do with it.

Saturday I climbed up into the attic(all the nasty insulation and dust) to see what it would take to run a new grounded wire to that room and its going to be a major project.
Also been trying to find a deal on a UPS, all the 750vac units are $100. I wonder if I could get by with a 550vac which is about half the price. Then again I dont know if that would solve the problem.

Again though I am still pondering why I had no electrical issues with the 2nd one :confused:

So currently its sitting in the box it came in over in the corner.

I really wanted this Imac but if I am going to have to spend extra money and work just to be able run it...I dont know......:(

Thank you to everyone that has posted and given suggestions

Also want to mention everyone I dealt with at Apple was extremely polite even though at a couple times I was told contradicting things from different reps.

[JBWade]

Like most folks, I'm inclined to think that this is a wiring issue. However, it could be as simple as the actual outlet you are plugging the computer in to. If the electrical outlet itself has a medium-resistance short, you would see exactly the symptoms you describe. Simplying putting in a plug could cause a faulty electrical outlet to have a high resistance short circuit. When your computer is under load, the electrons prefer to go through the computer loop. When the computer is off, there is pathway through the outlet.

Before you re-wire the room, try simply replacing the outlet in the wall with a new one. And when you have the electrical box apart, make sure that both hot and common wires are not touching each other and that the electrical insulation around each is intact.

When you plugged in your 2nd machine, it could have seated differently or somehow affected the internal short in your electical outlet. This is a quick and cheap step that could fix your problem, especially since Apple seems to think your hardware is okay.

[Zmmin3]

Like most folks, I'm inclined to think that this is a wiring issue. However, it could be as simple as the actual outlet you are plugging the computer in to. If the electrical outlet itself has a medium-resistance short, you would see exactly the symptoms you describe. Simplying putting in a plug could cause a faulty electrical outlet to have a high resistance short circuit. When your computer is under load, the electrons prefer to go through the computer loop. When the computer is off, there is pathway through the outlet.

Before you re-wire the room, try simply replacing the outlet in the wall with a new one. And when you have the electrical box apart, make sure that both hot and common wires are not touching each other and that the electrical insulation around each is intact.

When you plugged in your 2nd machine, it could have seated differently or somehow affected the internal short in your electical outlet. This is a quick and cheap step that could fix your problem, especially since Apple seems to think your hardware is okay.

From page 2 about my 3rd one: :)
Oh I went all over the house with it yesterday, kitchen, basement same result.

Didnt matter what outlet in the house I used or on what circuit, all had same result. I tried with and without surge proctector, no difference.

Also other computers I have and large TV's do not cause this problem.
So why does the Imac? puzzling

[supernet33]

Try it at a friends house.. I can almost bet you it is your wiring ..

The iMac is great, do what ever u can to keep it.

[Zmmin3]

The house was built in the 60's and the same wiring is through out house. So for some reason all the other electronic devices and appliances are okay with it but not the Imac.
Maybe Imac is too cool for my place ;)

[Lordedmond]

Zmmin3

As I am an elect engineer with a degree to my name. I ask you for your own safety get a qualified Sparks to test out your wiring asap

not sure as to your location in the world , it may mean a registered , coded sparks , but get a proper one to do the test not a three week wonder as we call them

ask them to pay attention to the earthing ( your name grounding ) and leave you a report as to the status of the wiring , for your own peace of mind

If you rent get the landlord to do it ( they should anyway as part of the landlord code , same goes for gas installations )

just read your post above that makes your wiring 49 years old !!!!

[fhall1]

By all means...plug it in somewhere else (not your house) first to verify it works!

Go to the hardware store and buy one of those plug in wiring testers...they're about $5...tell you if your polarity is reversed, etc. by the use of some LEDs.

[VoodooDaddy]

I said it, other people have said it, why not take it somewhere else and try it first? Friends house, work, church, somewhere and plug it in?

I realize the 2nd machine didnt cause any problems but I would completely disregard that. Seems you are a bit hung up on that fact and using that as proof that the problem isnt within the house.

[Zmmin3]

Well I put on a 750vac UPS on it. That did not cure the problem. So right now in the process of running new wire as I have discovered the outlets are not truly grounded.
Does that make a difference for the Imac? ...obviously it does.

[JBWade]

Well I put on a 750vac UPS on it. That did not cure the problem. So right now in the process of running new wire as I have discovered the outlets are not truly grounded.
Does that make a difference for the Imac? ...obviously it does.

Sounds about right. Glad you got it figured out.

[stix666]

Thought I'd add in my 2 cents here.

I just got a mac mini with cinema display. When I have an amp plugged into the mini, and sleep the mini, it causes an undulating hissing sound emanating from the back of the mini. If I disconnect the amp by pulling out the cord from the headphone jack, the mini sleeps silently and peacefully.

So it's possible I believe for wiring problems to manifest during sleep.

I am getting a new surge protector. From what some people here have added, that may not be adequate to fix the problem - should I try a UPS or call out an electrician?

[Zmmin3]

Well my 4th Imac froze up today. When I tried to reboot it just got the flashing question mark. I called apple support. We tried this and that. No hard drive was detected. She thinks its crashed and gone.
I have an appointment at the Apple store on Tuesday.

Yeah not really happy with Imacs at the moment.

[Zmmin3]

Well I got it into the Apple store yesterday.
They confirmed it bad hard drive and will have to be replaced.
Computer is only 2 months old :(
I'm glad I really didnt have anything of any importance on it(because I really didnt trust it with the luck I had been having).

If this had happened within the 14 day trial, this 4th Imac would have been returned and I would be asking for refund and chose something else :rolleyes:

Will see how the repair goes.

[Mrbill317]

Yes check for proper grounding , also check your circuit breaker box and make sure its a decent amp breaker.
Dont run a toaster oven , microwave or airconditioner on that same circuit.

Im running two pc's a mac pro and a 1000w windows pc off a 20amp breaker with no problems.

If you need to replace your outlet , get a good one. Dont buy the crap from walmart , go to Lowes or Home Depot.

[Zmmin3]

Yes check for proper grounding , also check your circuit breaker box and make sure its a decent amp breaker.
Dont run a toaster oven , microwave or airconditioner on that same circuit.

Im running two pc's a mac pro and a 1000w windows pc off a 20amp breaker with no problems.

If you need to replace your outlet , get a good one. Dont buy the crap from walmart , go to Lowes or Home Depot.

Thats not even the prob now but yeah good stuff was used.

[hoonu]

You must have the worst wiring job this side of the Atlantic. Either that or it's a PEBKAC error. I have bought 3 macs off of Craigslist and 2 in store and have never had an issue. I just got a new 2.93 w/ 4850 and havent had any issues and I even consider the electrical wiring in my apartment to be some of the WORST. We have gone through several breakers as well as many light bulbs. Still no issues.

[Zmmin3]

March 15, 2010

I must have the worst luck.

I barely used the CD/DVD drive at all but today I put in a car manual on CD and all I heard was this loud ratcheting sound, you could also hear the speed of the disc inside going up and down. Finally after a couple of minutes of doing this it spit the CD out. I tried a DVD same thing happened. Tried a music CD same thing happened.

Apple appointment on Thursday.