I, too, considered this very option. However, it's not a matter of the drive overheating. Apple modifies its hard drives before installing them in these computers (iMacs specifically). The drives have proprietary firmware which directly informs OS X of their temperatures so that OS X can regulate fan speed. If you install a drive that wasn't modified by Apple, your fan will spin out of control no matter how cool the drive runs. You can install software to control the fan speed at hddfancontrol.com. The trouble with this option is, what happens when Apple releases an update for OS X that causes this software to stop functioning? And what if the developer decides to stop updating it? You're stuck with a fan spinning like crazy 24/7, unless you want to pull out the monitor again, remove your 3 GB, and stick an Apple drive back in the machine. You could have an authorized repair center order a 2 GB drive from Apple, but they will charge you way, way too much for it. And Apple doesn't offer 3 GB drives. For me, the best option was to just take the new 1 GB.
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Apple Recalls Some iMac Seagate 1TB Hard Drives
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I, too, considered this very option. However, it's not a matter of the drive overheating. Apple modifies its hard drives before installing them in these computers (iMacs specifically). The drives have proprietary firmware which directly informs OS X of their temperatures so that OS X can regulate fan speed. If you install a drive that wasn't modified by Apple, your fan will spin out of control no matter how cool the drive runs. You can install software to control the fan speed at hddfancontrol.com. The trouble with this option is, what happens when Apple releases an update for OS X that causes this software to stop functioning? And what if the developer decides to stop updating it? You're stuck with a fan spinning like crazy 24/7, unless you want to pull out the monitor again, remove your 3 GB, and stick an Apple drive back in the machine. You could have an authorized repair center order a 2 GB drive from Apple, but they will charge you way, way too much for it. And Apple doesn't offer 3 GB drives. For me, the best option was to just take the new 1 GB.
mine is on the list as well but its been fine up intill recently were ive noticed the comp acting up abit unless its just me but problems like
When connected through router, was dropping connection quite a bit especially when awakening from sleep
it has slowed down a lot since i first got it, lots of beach balls when opening applications
websites have also slowed down, the page often pixelate in between loading sites
recently the cd drive wouldn't recognize a blank disc when inserted
(ran onyx & disk utility, seems to have corrected it)
the HD recall, needing replacement
when i want to turn of the computer and i choose Shut Down it begins to but then a message pops up telling me * i need to restart the computer
(hold the power button down then restart) * once rebooted a msg pops up telling me the imac was shutdown because of a problem & would i like to report it.
pluging into the headphone jack creates a lag for a few secs in performance
i called the closest apple store about 20mins from me and asked if they did repairs in house and told them my situation. they didnt seem to know much about it and asked if i could call back monday when the technician is in ..... so i gotta call monday now
When connected through router, was dropping connection quite a bit especially when awakening from sleep
it has slowed down a lot since i first got it, lots of beach balls when opening applications
websites have also slowed down, the page often pixelate in between loading sites
recently the cd drive wouldn't recognize a blank disc when inserted
(ran onyx & disk utility, seems to have corrected it)
the HD recall, needing replacement
when i want to turn of the computer and i choose Shut Down it begins to but then a message pops up telling me * i need to restart the computer
(hold the power button down then restart) * once rebooted a msg pops up telling me the imac was shutdown because of a problem & would i like to report it.
pluging into the headphone jack creates a lag for a few secs in performance
i called the closest apple store about 20mins from me and asked if they did repairs in house and told them my situation. they didnt seem to know much about it and asked if i could call back monday when the technician is in ..... so i gotta call monday now
Apple has wrong info in their databases on Seagate 1T Hard Drive Replacement Program!
I too was told by Apple.com my 21.5" IMac did not qualify for HD replacement. But I checked online and the HD (ST31000528AS) was in fact a SeaGate. Called Apple Advisor and he looked it up and said my computer didn't qualify as it didn't have a seagate HD. I told him I thought his records were wrong and after he googled the same model # (the IMAC info screen didn't have the make - only model # which I believe is what has Apple screwed up) he forwarded me to his Sr. Advisor. Sr. Advisor said I was not eligible... I shared with him all my research which clearly showed my HD was in fact the same hard drive being recalled and I gave him not only my info and findings, but also another case # (361827989) whom indicated the exact same issue and they then replaced his HD...
Needless to say, Sr. advisor called me back a few minutes later after being baffled (said he had never heard of such an issue) and said if my HD had a Revision # (Rev#) of "AP25" then it was the recalled hard drive and BINGO - it was. They are replacing my HD with a new one and my case # is 413087829 and I would guess thousands and thousands (if not millions) have been told by Apple (either when doing the online check or calling in) their iMac didn't qualify for the SeaGate 1T HD replacement - due solely to Apple not having correct info in their databases - when in fact they do.
So if you have this issue, call them and give them the two above case #'s and get your new HD!!!! Have to be turned in by April if my info is correct.
Good Luck!!
Be Persistent!!!
I too was told by Apple.com my 21.5" IMac did not qualify for HD replacement. But I checked online and the HD (ST31000528AS) was in fact a SeaGate. Called Apple Advisor and he looked it up and said my computer didn't qualify as it didn't have a seagate HD. I told him I thought his records were wrong and after he googled the same model # (the IMAC info screen didn't have the make - only model # which I believe is what has Apple screwed up) he forwarded me to his Sr. Advisor. Sr. Advisor said I was not eligible... I shared with him all my research which clearly showed my HD was in fact the same hard drive being recalled and I gave him not only my info and findings, but also another case # (361827989) whom indicated the exact same issue and they then replaced his HD...
Needless to say, Sr. advisor called me back a few minutes later after being baffled (said he had never heard of such an issue) and said if my HD had a Revision # (Rev#) of "AP25" then it was the recalled hard drive and BINGO - it was. They are replacing my HD with a new one and my case # is 413087829 and I would guess thousands and thousands (if not millions) have been told by Apple (either when doing the online check or calling in) their iMac didn't qualify for the SeaGate 1T HD replacement - due solely to Apple not having correct info in their databases - when in fact they do.
So if you have this issue, call them and give them the two above case #'s and get your new HD!!!! Have to be turned in by April if my info is correct.
Good Luck!!
Be Persistent!!!
Hi, everyone
I purchased my 27" imac 1TB from PCworld on the 30th September 2010 on finance only just finished paying it off on the 30th September 2013 and installed Mavericks onto my imac when it came out last year approx a few weeks after that the HDD started lagging and stopped working about 3 weeks ago Apple have advised me that there was a re-call on the HDD that is installed in my imac and have also advised me that they cannot carry out the re-call as it only lasted 3 years after day of purchase so 4 months after the re-call expires now Apple expect me to pay £174 +vat for a new HDD to be installed in my imac i dont think this is good coming from Apple and i am not satisfied with this kind of service is there anything i can do i dont know if apple do any kind of goodwill.
I purchased my 27" imac 1TB from PCworld on the 30th September 2010 on finance only just finished paying it off on the 30th September 2013 and installed Mavericks onto my imac when it came out last year approx a few weeks after that the HDD started lagging and stopped working about 3 weeks ago Apple have advised me that there was a re-call on the HDD that is installed in my imac and have also advised me that they cannot carry out the re-call as it only lasted 3 years after day of purchase so 4 months after the re-call expires now Apple expect me to pay £174 +vat for a new HDD to be installed in my imac i dont think this is good coming from Apple and i am not satisfied with this kind of service is there anything i can do i dont know if apple do any kind of goodwill.
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A few days ago, I was reinstalling Mavericks from scratch, and I received the HD failing in Disk Utility. Immediately, I researched and discovered my iMac qualifies for the HD replacement. So, I made an appointment as soon as possible. Sadly, Apple Genius indicated the replacement only applies within three years of initial purchase! At this point, I was really disappointed, because this program falls under the same policy as AppleCare. What's even more upsetting is my AppleCare just ended last month!
Honestly I don't want to sound like a scumbag but where have you been for the last three years? Apple has hardly made it a secret regarding this hard disk replacement.
All you can really do is go after PC World with the sale of goods act, but it's not really worth the time it'll take.
I'd just pay the £174. I mean, Apple advertised it well enough, and if you'd registered you would have gotten an email too. Not much else Apple can reasonably do.
When I checked the serial number for the first time, I got a message indicating it wasn't part of the recall. So, I thought it was okay. I guess they must've added more iMac serials later on.
However, good news though! I upgraded the HD myself - went from 1TB to 3TB.
Thanks to ifixit and OWC instructions. So, take that Apple... For those interested in upgrading your own HD, here are some useful links:
ifixit 21.5" HD Replacement - http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2389+Hard+Drive+Replacement/6284
OWC fan issue - http://blog.macsales.com/19617-diagnosing-2009-2010-imac-fan-speed-issues-after-upgrading-the-main-hard-drive
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