IMac G5 woes

[dcv]

BTW, another manager, that is a customer of mine, caught up with as I was leaving. We chatted about what was going on with my iMac. He tossed out that it could be my HDD. They will try to boot off an external HDD and see if the problem replicates itself. I am now hoping that 10.4.6 and 10.4.7 and my software is not the issue.

So yours still powers on then? Mine started randomly shutting down a few months ago, but then continued working normally for a while. Then one day it just stopped and wouldn't power on at all. I opened it up to run the diagnostics - with mine, the first diagnostic LED lights up but the second one doesn't, which indicates it's probably a logic board failure, nothing to do with the hard disk.

Well good luck anyway, hope they can either fix it properly this time or replace it with a new model.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

So yours still powers on then? Mine started randomly shutting down a few months ago, but then continued working normally for a while. Then one day it just stopped and wouldn't power on at all. I opened it up to run the diagnostics - with mine, the first diagnostic LED lights up but the second one doesn't, which indicates it's probably a logic board failure, nothing to do with the hard disk.

Well good luck anyway, hope they can either fix it properly this time or replace it with a new model.

Thanks for the wish of luck.

About a month ago, I noticed that my iMac restarted in my absence (my browser window would be missing). Figured power outages. So got a UPS. Still happened, but then when I was in front of the iMac. And over night it started to constantly reboot. That is for the first repair, with the replacement of the power supply.

Then yesterday I picked up my iMac at 11AM. By 1:30PM the rebooting started again. I called the Apple Store Tysons about being able to bring the iMac back yesterday, but there were no appointments left for yesterday.

They did try to schedule an appointment for today using their own ProCare plan number, but there was a problem in entering it. I was told to schedule an appoint early this morning. Luck for me at 5:30AM I was able to secure a 9:15AM appointment.

This morning at 6AM I started up my iMac, it ran for about 20 minutes before rebooting - and then staying up for another 15 minutes. I then powered off the iMac, then tried to restart it. This time it would not reboot, just the fan went into high-speed mode.

 

[QCassidy352]

oh wow, this sounds horrific! My ibook G4 had to be repaired 3 times, and it got increasingly frustrating. I hope they can finally make it right this time. It's good that you now have a manager saying that she will help you get a replacement if this repair doesn't do it. Do keep us posted, and best of luck with it!

 

[alexeismertin]

imac woes

I feel the pain

Brief overview of my iMac G5 issues

1. Purchased Rev A Oct 2004
2. March 2005 - Video issues, shutdowns, DVD rom not mounting discs & a white band (1cm wide) running halfway across the screen.
3. March - May 2005 - Reported problems over and over again (20+ phone calls, emails & letter to someone I was told was head of Apple based in Ireland)
4. Continuing wrangle between 2005 and May 2006 (offered 500 mile round trip to drop machaine off at service centre - unacceptable!)
5. June 10th 2006 - Finally Apple organised a local (non apple) shop to take the machine in for repair. The machine came back with logic board relaced but screen not fixed & DVD problems (even though i was told the drive had been replaced). Also came back with Airport problem that wasn't there when machine went in.
5. July 2006 Machine picked up by Amsys for second repair, received telephone call saying they will replace DVD drive, Airport card & screen.
ETA is this friday!!

I have been with Apple for 5 years & have bought plenty of hardware & software (2 displays, 2 ipod 7 computers 2 OSX's) but this seems to be ignored when dealing with Apple. I have had to make so many phone calls and spoken to many many people but I really get the impression that as soon as you say imac g5 nobody cares.

This is making me quite sick.

 

[joebells]

my girlfriends imac g5 revision b also seems to randomly shut itself off usually when no one is using it. She got it fixed a little over a month ago(logic board replacement) and it just started doing it again recently but not very often( at least not yet). The thing that sucks is our local shop took 3 weeks to fix it the first time. Seems like even if it gets fixed it'll probably break again. Hopefully they will offer her a new iMac if it does break again as she really needs it as she's doing freelance photography and school is coming up again(graphic design).

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I feel the pain

Brief overview of my iMac G5 issues
<snip>

I have been with Apple for 5 years & have bought plenty of hardware & software (2 displays, 2 ipod 7 computers 2 OSX's) but this seems to be ignored when dealing with Apple. I have had to make so many phone calls and spoken to many many people but I really get the impression that as soon as you say imac g5 nobody cares.

This is making me quite sick.

Wow! "But for the Grace of God, go I".

Outside of the Genius Bar appointment thing for repairs, my first repair took two trips - and those iMac 20" units are not light in weight in a Mall Parking lot! - lucky another manager took pity on me and "scheduled" a special appointment for 7PM the next day (this was the best for me since I worked till 6pm). The staff was great, since the manager (or the system) did not place me in the queue for 7PM.

The 4+ hours (spent perhaps 5 hours trouble shooting things on my own end) that I have spent so far, pale in comparison to your time. Best of luck to you! You deserve it.

my girlfriends imac g5 revision b also seems to randomly shut itself off usually when no one is using it. She got it fixed a little over a month ago(logic board replacement) and it just started doing it again recently but not very often( at least not yet). The thing that sucks is our local shop took 3 weeks to fix it the first time. Seems like even if it gets fixed it'll probably break again. Hopefully they will offer her a new iMac if it does break again as she really needs it as she's doing freelance photography and school is coming up again(graphic design).

Sounds like the same issue I have. Based on my experience, I would not wait till it becomes commonplace. What has saved me perhaps was the fact that I added an UPS unit when I observed the problem. When I did bring the iMac in the first time, I was questioned about brownouts. It was nice to say that I had an UPS, and that my PB (with and without battery) did not suffer a similar fate.

 

[atari1356]

I had a similar problem a few months ago, and Apple had to repair my computer 3 times before getting it right. During that time I learned that:

- there is a common problem with power supplies in iMac G5 computers (mine blew up and fried the logic board). One of the service technicians told me that Apple had an extended repair program in place for this problem.

- there are two different power supplies used in the iMac G5's. The new ones are supposed to be problem free - but for some reason the first time they replaced my power supply, they put in one of the old ones. The new one had a different part number (but unfortunately I can't recall what it was).

- quality control on parts Apple ships out to repair shops is pretty poor (based only on the fact that the first logic board they sent to fix my computer overheated easily, and the second logic board was dead on arrival)

Everyone I spoke to at Apple and the repair people were nice though... I just documented all of the problems I was having and kept at it, and eventually they got my computer back in working order.

Good luck in getting your computer fixed ChipNovaMac, I know it's frustrating.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Good luck in getting your computer fixed ChipNovaMac, I know it's frustrating.

I am trying to keep good humor in potential QC problems. If the comments I see on the web are any indication, then Apple is seeing issues with machines purchased 10 to 12 months ago.

 

[dcv]

I am trying to keep good humor in potential QC problems. If the comments I see on the web are any indication, then Apple is seeing issues with machines purchased 10 to 12 months ago.

*Nods in agreement* - mine is just under 12 months old. I bought it as a refurb though so still have a few months left on the warranty.

my first repair took two trips - and those iMac 20" units are not light in weight in a Mall Parking lot!

*Nods in agreement again* - but at least you have a car! I don't. I had to carry that stupid box down the street to a bus stop. The plastic handle on the box cuts into your hand... aaargh, and I'm gonna have to take it in for its second repair very soon. Right now I'm trying to reattach the desktop stand as mine has been wall-mounted. However I've managed to strip two of the screw heads so can't get part of the mounting thingy off.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

*Nods in agreement again* - but at least you have a car! I don't. I had to carry that stupid box down the street to a bus stop. The plastic handle on the box cuts into your hand... aaargh, and I'm gonna have to take it in for its second repair very soon. Right now I'm trying to reattach the desktop stand as mine has been wall-mounted. However I've managed to strip two of the screw heads so can't get part of the mounting thingy off.

I only have a car here in the US, because it is "required'. Keep in mind that the 5 miles to the Apple Store requires about 30 minutes via a car.

I would own a micro cart if I lived in London...

 

[puckhead193]

hope you get your computer fixed soon.

There's a slim chance of an Intel iMac. I know someone that had their iBook replace with the low end MacBook.

if you *wanted* to can you split the difference and costomize it? I would be so mad if i brought my PB in for repairs and in return they gave me a low end MP.....i went to top of the line to bottom of the line

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Most recent update

Got a call from the Apple Store near their closing time last night. They say they pinpointed the problem to the power supply. Evidently they have two different part numbers. The older one that was in the machine originally and a replacement part number.

They ran the new replacement all day, and no issues. Only 4+ weeks will tell. Because of work and parking hassles at the Tysons Mall, I will have to wait till Friday morning to bring my iMac home.

 

[devilot]

*fingers crossed* Hope it works as it should now... (I still don't get why you can't just pick it up in person before Friday though, seems a bit silly to me.)

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

*fingers crossed* Hope it works as it should now... (I still don't get why you can't just pick it up in person before Friday though, seems a bit silly to me.)

Thanks.

I worked till 7PM today, and did not want to walk the parking lot with the iMac under my arm. Too old D ) and too hot to deal with a parking garage - along with that I have a bad knee, but am too proud to ask my doctor for a handicap plate. Was told by one doctor that he could get me the Handicap plates/tags. My knee comes and goes. Under normal situations I will walk whatever distance needed. Not when I am trying to carry an iMac 20".

Tomorrow I work a 11AM to 9PM shift, and we just don't have the space due to other merchandise coming and going for me to safely take my iMac into work for the day.

On Friday I will be able to get to the Apple Store Tysons and park in a 30 minute loading zone (that seems to be filled with 2 hour parkers in the evening hours ) and get in and get out in a reasonable time to pick-up my iMac and get it to my apartment and get to work by 12N on Friday, as long as I get there before 10AM.

[rantPeople in this area have no respect for rules or laws. And in the case of the Tysons Mall they are too cowardly to "tick-off" those that drive big SUV's and live in million dollar plus homes - to care about those of us that are just the working poor in the county. [/rant]

 

[devilot]

I worked... <snip>

Yeah, I forget about that slight detail. Sorry, I forget that not everyone operates on student schedules. And as for not wanting to haul a 20" iMac, believe me, I feel ya. Whenever I brought mine in, I had an Apple employee roll a cart out to roll it to the store. No joke. (That or my boyfriend would haul it in. Hee.)

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Yeah, I forget about that slight detail. Sorry, I forget that not everyone operates on student schedules. And as for not wanting to haul a 20" iMac, believe me, I feel ya. Whenever I brought mine in, I had an Apple employee roll a cart out to roll it to the store. No joke. (That or my boyfriend would haul it in. Hee.)

LOL. That is OK. Hope I did not sound to harsh.

At Tysons there is a "back door"; but have heard comments about waiting 15 to 30 minutes for them to answer it. Never wanted to try it out. To the close in parking spaces in the parking deck or to the "pick-up" area that has a 30 minute limit - it is a short enough walk for me. But to struggle with 2 to 3 flights of stairs and then some distance to my parking place is a bit much with an iMac in tow. I do that trek if I am going to the mall for some light shopping.

Generally I never go to Tysons unless the Apple Store is involved. And NEVER in November or December! I prefer smaller shops that have places in strip centers. I may pay a bit more, but the customer service is better. I bought a stereo system from a shop in the Skyline Plaza Mall here in Va. years ago. It was large enough that I could not carry it myself. The sales associate wheeled it out for me - I mentioned that I was deep in in the parking garage. No problem he said, just make it safely to where I left him standing.

To this day, when I think/know that someone might need assistance with their purchase, large or small - I always offer. And this is supported at the store i work at.

Karma at work (who ever in the hell she is).

 

[devilot]

At Tysons there is a "back door"; but have heard comments about waiting 15 to 30 minutes for them to answer it.

Nah, I don't bother w/ no backdoor. I'm not a servant. I just go in, tell them I'm there for the X time appt, and could they send someone to help me haul my computer in. (They can't really refuse can they? ) Yup. So yeah, I do end up walking a bit more but it's worth it to me to not have to haul that thing. It's way too oddly shaped (and well, a bit on the heavy side) for me to carry it that far.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Nah, I don't bother w/ no backdoor. I'm not a servant. I just go in, tell them I'm there for the X time appt, and could they send someone to help me haul my computer in. (They can't really refuse can they? ) Yup. So yeah, I do end up walking a bit more but it's worth it to me to not have to haul that thing. It's way too oddly shaped (and well, a bit on the heavy side) for me to carry it that far.

What bothers me is that the Tysons location "opens up" for the Genius Bar at 9AM. But their systems don't seem to come alive till 10AM. Had this happen on Sunday when I came early for the 2nd pick-up. I was made to wait till 11AM. I was not too upset, only becuase I know how ridiculous "retail" rules can be.

So in this case I am taking up space I am sure they would like to free.

 

[dcv]

Well I hope this new power supply is the end of the iMac problems for you.

It's so frustrating when you find out it's a "simple" part that they had to fix... afaik they used to ship out replacement parts such as power supplies for you to fit at home yourself (with the rev As anyway). Ugh all that hassle you could have saved by not having to lug it in to the shop...

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

An update

Well I hope this new power supply is the end of the iMac problems for you.

It's so frustrating when you find out it's a "simple" part that they had to fix... afaik they used to ship out replacement parts such as power supplies for you to fit at home yourself (with the rev As anyway). Ugh all that hassle you could have saved by not having to lug it in to the shop...

Well I picked up my iMac on Friday morning. So far so good. Only the next few months will tell.

It is frustrating that they used the original power supply part number for the first repair. And only after the third repair there was a second part number they could use.

Talking on the phone with Applecare, verses just bringing the system in to an Apple Store is a toss up IMO. In particular if they require shipping to a home address.

 

[joebells]

gonna take the gf's in real soon. If this doesn't fix it this second time I am going to ask for a replacemnt as this really is getting out of hand. It took 3 weeks to get it fixed last time she can't be without it for 3 more weeks and then 3 more weeks after that again.

 

[ceruleanventure]

Good luck with the replacement....seriously

I wonder is this is some common design flaw in the iMac G5 units. My iMac (isight version) has broken down FIVE times in about four months, and Apple refuses to replace the machine and insists on sending it for repairs. It's in the repair shop now lol. Be serious and forceful if you ask for a replacement. Good luck

 

[alexeismertin]

The Pain Continues

So

I received my imac back after the second repair only to find the airport has no reception (except when you are less than 1 foot away from the extreme base station) - this has not been fixed by the repair. The second problem is that one of the screws on the bottom has been screwed in soo tightly that it is impossible to remove - I have put a LOT of force trying to remove it but it won't budge.

After some heated exchange between 'Customer Relations' (haha), they are repairing for the 3rd time but won't refer to it as a 'repair' they call it 'finishing off'.

I cannot believe the this is happening - the machine is being repaired not for the original problems but the problems caused by repair 1 & 2.

The machine was picked up by amtrak about an hour ago, I was told I will get it back next week sometime.

 

[Jovian9]

A side question, if the iMac needs to be replaced - what will they replace it with? Will they make me wait till another iMac G5 20" comes available as a refurb, or will it be a new Intel iMac?

They would replace it with a "similarly spec'd machine". Price does not matter. My RevA iMac G5 was replaced with a RevC even though the RevA when released cost more than the RevC (both 17"). They will also give you the option to upgrade to a 20" if you have the 17" or more RAM, Hard Drive space, etc.....as well as replacing your existing AppleCare Warranty with a new 3 year warranty for a price.

 

[ceruleanventure]

I just returned my iMac today via Fedex, Apple had to see the four certified repairs (that failed) on their database before they sent me a new one. I had the 17 inch isight version so they gave me the same spec machine (except the one they're sending my is Intel not ppc) Hope that helps! (Keep bugging Apple, it took us four calls until they decided to give us a new one) Good Luck