2006 iMac problems and questions.

[JJ452]

Hi Guys,

I've an early 2006 iMac that has started to mess around and was wondering if you could help me.

It has recently started to turn off randomly as in completely power off. After it does this it will not power on unless it is plugged out and left for 5 minutes and then it'll work for awhile and do the same thing again.

Does anyone know what would cause this? PSU, logic board, RAM? Just wondering if it's worth while fixing it..... it's not software as I formatted the hard drive and was installing Snow Leopard and it happened again.

Also some side questions: I know the late 2006 logic boards can be used in this model (the core 2 duo models) but could is it possible to fit a 17" logic board in a 20" iMac?

 

[Zh2]

Hi,

Leave the thing off for an hour or so. Start up and use iStat to see if the fans are running correctly. If it is just a fan its certainly worth saving.

Not sure about the Logic board - I doubt it. Others will know more.

Regards.

Z

 

[C. Alan]

There are a lot of thermal related problems with the 2006 Imacs. Mine recently had the GPU give up because of bad cooling. If you have not done so already, install SMCfanControl, and manually crank up the fan RPMs and see if this improves your run time. Also, take a vacuum and clean out the openings on the bottom of the Imac, and the one in the center of the back. Dust and crud tend to accumulate there.

Typically, these Imacs freeze up when they get too hot, and you get video artifacts (random pixels and shapes on the screen).

If yours is just shutting off, then it may be the power supply. I'd replace it before going to a new logic board.

BTW, I don't think a 17" logic board will fit into a 20" Imac. I think they are configured differently.