Fix or Replace iMac that freezes (Help!)

[brooky]

Hi Guys,

My iMac keeps getting bouts of freezing for say 20 seconds then coming back to life. There are no CPU or disk read/write spikes.

It's really odd as it doesn't totally freeze and some windows I can click between and see the mouse move but I can't do much. Then bosh... its catches up with its self all of a sudden.

I did a Disk Verify/Repair from boot that fixed some found problems but it still had the issues. I tried PRAM reset, FSCK and reset the SMC. The damned thing still freezes.

We had a lightening storm which took out our router the other week. The printer connected to it died and it looks like the iMac got slightly damaged too.

What do I do? I wondered about replacing parts/getting it fixed but I'm worried I'm throwing dead money at it for the problem to stay.

Has anyone else had this issue?

Thanks in advance for any help. I've only had it 18 month so I'll be b*ggered to have to replace it.

 

[old-wiz]

Did you have the iMac connected to a surge protector or UPS? If your router/printer died, there's a good chance that the iMac was zapped as well. An electrical jolt can really make a mess. It isn't likely you can fix it, but you could take it to an Apple store and have them take a look.

I had a TV die once during a thunderstorm; it was not on but after the storm passed the TV was dead as a dodo. The Router, printer, and iMac rode out the storm as they were sitting behind a UPS with surge protection.

It's worth keeping expensive electronics behind a high quality surge protector and UPS.

 

[brooky]

Thanks for the reply. Yes it is on a UPS. The telecom engineer said the wiring in the house had blown and the old router died. I didn't think the iMac would get damaged from a router blowing.

 

[old-wiz]

Thanks for the reply. Yes it is on a UPS. The telecom engineer said the wiring in the house had blown and the old router died. I didn't think the iMac would get damaged from a router blowing.

If you have ethernet connection between iMac and router, then that could do it. I'd try taking it to Apple and let them look at it.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Even if it is out of warranty, Apple will still look at it and figure out what is up. From there, you can take the diagnosis, and go to iFixit and fix it yourself, or make the decision to buy another Mac.

 

[brooky]

Great advice. Thanks .