Early 2009 iMac 24", throw it to the curb?

[Tom899]

I have an Early 24" 2009 iMac. 2.93 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 8Gb 1067 MHz DDR3, NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 512 MB Graphics card. The display is nice and bright, is quite fast, but...
It shuts down randomly. I'm quite sure it's the graphics card, or, a slim chance it's the power supply.
I've replaced it with a new iMac so I have no interest in putting money into fixing it. I could fix it myself by buying the parts, about $180 for graphics card, $90 for power supply, but I don't need it now because I have a new iMac.
But, I'm having a hard time throwing out my once $2200 iMac. I'd be more than happy to give it away.
Is it truly just junk and should I take it out to the trash?

 

[Fishrrman]

You could keep it around as a spare, or give it away (with full disclosure about its problems).
Somebody would probably like to have it...

 

[Tom899]

I have an idea. Our community has a garage sale coming up in a month. I'll put it up for $10. including the wireless keyboard and mouse.

 

[kschendel]

It's definitely not junk, in the sense that for someone who can scrounge the right parts will end up with a perfectly usable machine. So yes, sell it or give it away if you can.

 

[sgoold]

I have an Early 24" 2009 iMac. 2.93 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 8Gb 1067 MHz DDR3, NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 512 MB Graphics card. The display is nice and bright, is quite fast, but...
It shuts down randomly. I'm quite sure it's the graphics card, or, a slim chance it's the power supply.
I've replaced it with a new iMac so I have no interest in putting money into fixing it. I could fix it myself by buying the parts, about $180 for graphics card, $90 for power supply, but I don't need it now because I have a new iMac.
But, I'm having a hard time throwing out my once $2200 iMac. I'd be more than happy to give it away.
Is it truly just junk and should I take it out to the trash?

I was hoping to use mine for an extra display monitor, but apparently it is too obsolete even to do that. Unless someone knows how???

 

[redheeler]

I was hoping to use mine for an extra display monitor, but apparently it is too obsolete even to do that. Unless someone knows how???

Sadly the Early 2009 doesn't support Target Display Mode, but neither do Apple's brand new iMacs...

Unless yours is also having problems, it could make a nice secondary Mac. I have an even older Late 2006 model that I still find useful for some secondary tasks.

 

[Guy Clark]

It would seem as the though the GPU is working correctly from your description. It could be a case of the iMac overheating. Older iMacs are known to collect dust on the inside therefore if the vents are obstructed it will inevitably result in overheating issues where the iMac will shut itself down.
The remedy is to open the iMac up and clear all dust with canned air. This will involve removing the display. Whilst you are in there it may be a good idea to apply fresh thermal compound to the GPU. Here are the relevant iFixit tutorials
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+24-Inch+EMC+2267+Display+Panel+Replacement/9025
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+24-Inch+EMC+2267+Graphics+Card+Replacement/13765

 

[Tom899]

It would seem as the though the GPU is working correctly from your description. It could be a case of the iMac overheating. Older iMacs are known to collect dust on the inside therefore if the vents are obstructed it will inevitably result in overheating issues where the iMac will shut itself down.
The remedy is to open the iMac up and clear all dust with canned air. This will involve removing the display. Whilst you are in there it may be a good idea to apply fresh thermal compound to the GPU. Here are the relevant iFixit tutorials
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+24-Inch+EMC+2267+Display+Panel+Replacement/9025
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+24-Inch+EMC+2267+Graphics+Card+Replacement/13765

Hi Guy, thanks for the tips! This is what I have already done.
Took apart, completely cleaned, checked all fans, baked the graphics card to try and re flow the soldier. Apply the correct thermal compound to both the graphics card, CPU and memory chips on the board, re-seat all connectors.
It still acts exactly the same. I don't think it's overheating as I can get it to shut down very soon after a cold boot by opening up Time Machine windows. I don't know if this stresses the Graphics card? Seems strange?? If I don't open up Time Machine and just use it normal it will shut down if I open up too many programs. Makes me think it's the Graphics card, but not sure?

 

[Richdmoore]

I tried the for sale forum here. Without success (2011 model for parts). I accepted an offer for $75 on gazelle for my iMac (broken condition) Gazelle pays shipping (but not for a box, I had the original packaging however).

I am still trying to sell the ram, I accumulated over the years. I kept the keyboard/trackpad as well.

It might be worth a look on that web site if there is no other options.

 

[Tom899]

I tried the for sale forum here. Without success (2011 model for parts). I accepted an offer for $75 on gazelle for my iMac (broken condition) Gazelle pays shipping (but not for a box, I had the original packaging however).

I am still trying to sell the ram, I accumulated over the years. I kept the keyboard/trackpad as well.

It might be worth a look on that web site if there is no other options.

Thanks, I'll check out Gazelle. I actually had a really good experience with Gazelle two weeks ago. I sold my iPhone 6s+ and said it was in "Good" condition and settled for $165. I got an email from them the same day they got it and said it was much nicer than Good and gave me $195. I've never had a company do that! I couldn't believe it!

Update!

i just checked. Their system would not accept my serial number. It looks like a 2010 is the oldest model they will accept.

 

[flyinmac]

I just received an Early 2009 iMac 20-inch 2.66 GHz. It came free. So I can’t complain.

It works great. It was supposed to be dead. But it passes every test I can throw at it. So I’ve got High Sierra on it now. It’s been running solid for 2 days now.

Only strike against it at this point, is that it’s only got the 4 Gigs of RAM, and I wish it had a better video card. Though neither appear to be holding it back. It’s got the NVIDIA 9400 w/ 256 MB of video RAM.

I wish I lived somewhere near you, and could offer you a workable trade. But, I’m in AK... and nobody is ever from here. Lol.

If your memory was 2 modules totaling 8 GB, that’d be a part I’d be interested in having. And of course any other useful bits. Lol.

But, unfortunately I’m not in a great position at the moment. It’s toys or food. Lol. So all I can do is dream at the moment, and appreciate the bonuses that do land in my lap.

Definitely don’t throw the machine away. Even with problems, it’s got useful bits for somebody.

I’ve got a stock pile of old bits myself that I’m debating on. Memory, graphics card, old pc parts, etc. that I’ve been trying to sell locally for a little gas money. But if they don’t sell, I’m debating on repurposing the parts and building other household items out of them. Like crafts out of tech parts. Maybe some drink coasters and a bird house... if I can figure out what to coat them with to make them nontoxic as a bird house. Crazy ideas lol.

 

[tpivette89]

I have an Early 24" 2009 iMac. 2.93 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 8Gb 1067 MHz DDR3, NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 512 MB Graphics card. The display is nice and bright, is quite fast, but...
It shuts down randomly. I'm quite sure it's the graphics card, or, a slim chance it's the power supply.
I've replaced it with a new iMac so I have no interest in putting money into fixing it. I could fix it myself by buying the parts, about $180 for graphics card, $90 for power supply, but I don't need it now because I have a new iMac.
But, I'm having a hard time throwing out my once $2200 iMac. I'd be more than happy to give it away.
Is it truly just junk and should I take it out to the trash?

Have you tried wiping the hard drive and re-installing a fresh copy of El Capitan?

I have 2 early 2009 iMacs... one a base model 2.66ghz and the other my wife uses daily which is a 2.93ghz w GT120... both are fantastic machines for everyday tasks. Would be a shame to see you just throw it in the garbage.
[doublepost=1524976914][/doublepost]

I have an idea. Our community has a garage sale coming up in a month. I'll put it up for $10. including the wireless keyboard and mouse.

Where are you located? I'd be more than happy to pick it up if you decide to sell it. Hate to see a hurt Mac go to waste.

 

[Tom899]

Have you tried wiping the hard drive and re-installing a fresh copy of El Capitan?

I have 2 early 2009 iMacs... one a base model 2.66ghz and the other my wife uses daily which is a 2.93ghz w GT120... both are fantastic machines for everyday tasks. Would be a shame to see you just throw it in the garbage.
[doublepost=1524976914][/doublepost]

Where are you located? I'd be more than happy to pick it up if you decide to sell it. Hate to see a hurt Mac go to waste.

S.E. Michigan

 

[pam14160]

I turned mine into a Windows 7 machine... . ..works great. . .

 

[826317]

What you can do is take apart your iMac far enough so that you can note the model number of your iMac's internal display. Then go onto ebay and order a driver board for that model number. You can use this driver board to connect it to any HDMI/DVI/VGA input.

 

[tpivette89]

S.E. Michigan

Sadly, that's halfway across the country from me.

Hoops you figure out what to do with it that doesn't involve scrapping it. Good luck.