iMac sometimes Shut's Down Randomly!

[partylikearock]

So my iMac has been shutting down randomly. Why is this happening?

Specs:

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac7,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.20f4

System Power Settings:

AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 0
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 15
Sleep On Power Button: Yes
Automatic Restart On Power Loss: No
Wake On LAN: No
Current Power Source: Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes

Hardware Configuration:

UPS Installed: No

Intel ICH8-M AHCI:

Vendor: Intel
Product: ICH8-M AHCI
Speed: 3 Gigabit
Description: AHCI Version 1.10 Supported

WDC WD3200AAJS-40RYA0:

Capacity: 320.07 GB (320,072,933,376 bytes)
Model: WDC WD3200AAJS-40RYA0
Revision: 12.01B03
Serial Number: WD-WCAPZ2146627
Native Command Queuing: Yes
Queue Depth: 32
Removable Media: No
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk0
Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified
Volumes:
Macintosh HD:
Capacity: 286.69 GB (286,689,067,008 bytes)
Available: 259.02 GB (259,015,827,456 bytes)
Writable: Yes
File System: Journaled HFS+
BSD Name: disk0s2
Mount Point: /
Windows:
Capacity: 33.04 GB (33,039,892,480 bytes)
Available: 2.73 GB (2,730,393,600 bytes)
Writable: No
File System: NTFS
BSD Name: disk0s3
Mount Point: /Volumes/Windows

 

[Gregg2]

...with no warning message when it happens?

Do you have a log? It might seem random to you until you start recording what you were doing right before it happens.

 

[partylikearock]

No it didn't have any error messages or Log messages and no recovered files.

 

[Bacong]

Has to be overheating. Download iStat pro or something similar and tell us your fan speeds.

 

[partylikearock]

Here I took a screen shot: The temperatures are in Celsius

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34hgi0z&s=5

 

[BlueRevolution]

Looks fine to me.

 

[Bacong]

Your fans are going really, really slow though. Download smcfancontrol or FanControl and crank the speeds up to at least 3500 RPM and tell us if it shuts down.

 

[BlueRevolution]

I have an early 2008 iMac and am getting similar speeds. I don't think that's the problem. There's no need for the fans to spin fast if the computer isn't running hot.

When you took that screenshot, how long had your computer been running? Were you doing anything particularly taxing at the time? Is there any correlation between how hard your computer is working and when it shuts down?

 

[Bacong]

I have an early 2008 iMac and am getting similar speeds. I don't think that's the problem. There's no need for the fans to spin fast if the computer isn't running hot.

When you took that screenshot, how long had your computer been running? Were you doing anything particularly taxing at the time? Is there any correlation between how hard your computer is working and when it shuts down?

There's nothing wrong with running the fans faster than default, it makes your components last longer and a fan is the cheapest thing to replace.

 

[partylikearock]

well its only shut down like 2 in a period of like 4 months.. so I dont know whats the problem:

Recent Fans:

http://tinypic.com/r/34qtgmf/5

 

[Bacong]

If it's only happened twice in the past 4 months it leads me to believe it's overheating due to intensive usage.

 

[partylikearock]

How do you know its over heating?

 

[BlueRevolution]

Depends. If the fans (and temperature sensors) are behaving properly, you'd hear them revving up prior to shutdown. If they're not, that could be the reason. What were you doing at the time?

 

[partylikearock]

Well my mom was logged in and she probably had:
- Mail
- Safari
- And Photoshop

And I was logged in and I was doing:
- Mail
- Safari

I dont think those applications would make your computer over heat.

 

[Bacong]

It could be anything, especially if it's so rare (twice in 4 months)

Could be overheating like I said. It could be a power surge, problems with your electrical in your home, or any multitude of things. The best advice I can give is to take it to an Apple Store.

If you're not up for that, the next time it shuts down, take note of a few things. Is the computer abnormally hot? is the power supply really hot? If not, then it's probably your logic board, which isn't fun.

 

[partylikearock]

Well the power outlets and my new basement was done fairly new. Approximately 4-5 years ago. I guess I need to take my iMac in for servicing. Is there anything specific I should ask the apple geeks? (no pun intended)

 

[BlueRevolution]

$20 says you'll get it back with a $60 bill and a receipt that say they couldn't find a problem. I'd wait to see if it happens again.

However, if you haven't done so, and if the computer is still eligible, I suggest purchasing AppleCare extended coverage.

 

[partylikearock]

haha I giggled at the commic
Ok.. yeah apple are the kinds of people who charge outrageous stuff.

 

[partylikearock]

How much is the Apple Extended Coverage?

 

[BlueRevolution]

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC245

It must be purchased during the first year of ownership. I guess since you have an iMac 7,1, it's too late to buy it if you haven't already done so.

 

[Gregg2]

Search for it on this site

http://www.lacomputercompany.com/

I've never seen it cheaper anywhere else.

Nevermind, I didn't notice that.

 

[partylikearock]

I have the one with the black border not going all the way to the side.