My iMac G5: Unaccaptable!

[Fukui]

This fan noise problem has the potential to be a real black eye for Apple, and imagine what a new convert will think when he sits down with his new iMac and hears what sounds like a model airplane motor whirring in the background, and finds that the sound is considered "normal" now by Apple engineering.

Well, don't get this the wrong way, because I totaly agree with you, but I have a strange feeling many "switchers" probably wouldn't even notice it as "too loud" unless its on the highest setting. I'm not saying apple is right on this one, but your average person is not as... discerning or sensitive to these issues the average long time mac user... not that I am trying promoting elitism or anything...

Case in point, my friend bought a 1500 dollar Dell laptop, and he played a few games windows crapped out on him after about a week of playing, and now any directX powered game totaly screws up on launch, making it unplayable... now, what does he do (?) call dells tech support? No. Just goes and buys a PS2!! Wanted to import photos from his CD with Dell Picture studio... after more than one hour (me helping him) couldn't find a way to permanently copy it... so he just gave up... thats unfortunately the way things are for a lot of people...

I suppose its a good thing the "average" apple customer seems to usually more demanding...

 

[Xtremehkr]

Had my 20" G5 iMac for two days, the fan noise is not that bad at all and you can really only hear it when there is a lot of work being done.

When I got my first iMac I would never imagined that 3.5 years later I would using an all in one with a 20" screen and all of the other features.

The fan noise is much nicer than the pitch a CRT emits.

 

[Josh]

Do you have any updates for us Josh?

Nothing new so far. I tried to get ahold of the product specialist yesterday, but all I ever get is his voicemail.

I left a message with my case ID, name, and phone number (he's familiar with em, so that shoudnt be a problem), but havent heard from him yet.

I'll try reaching him today as well. Heopfully I can get a hold of him, becuase from my experience so far, he has been the only helpful person I have talked to. Infact, he has been the only one that hasn't caused even more problems.

 

[winwintoo]

He probably doesn't work there any more.

They are trained to not admit any responsibility or wrong-doing and if he was caught taking your side, there's probably and empty cube where he used to sit.

This is a good example of why buying from a bricks and mortar store that has a good return policy is still the only way to go.

Sure you can get a *special order* machine directly from Apple and have the thrill of tracking it, but search this and other forums and see the agony of trying to get any satisfaction if anything is wrong with it out of the box.

It's a sad way to learn a lesson, but that might just be what this is.

Take care, Margaret

 

[Josh]

He probably doesn't work there any more.

They are trained to not admit any responsibility or wrong-doing and if he was caught taking your side, there's probably and empty cube where he used to sit.

This is a good example of why buying from a bricks and mortar store that has a good return policy is still the only way to go.

Sure you can get a *special order* machine directly from Apple and have the thrill of tracking it, but search this and other forums and see the agony of trying to get any satisfaction if anything is wrong with it out of the box.

It's a sad way to learn a lesson, but that might just be what this is.

Take care, Margaret

He still works there.

I bought my machine from a "brick-and-mortar" store. But considering my issue is not so much with the store, but the company who provides the products, its a bit different.

Besides, stores have a return policy of like 30 days. Since this is 2 months in, a return/exhance at a store wouldnt be happening (although it should).

A customer rep SHOULD take the customers side. If they didnt, and they took the companies side and assumed the customer was always wrong, that company would drive itself into the ground in no time flat.

 

[winwintoo]

I bought a 17" iMac G5.

When I first turned it on, I noticed I was one of the lucky ones and got one that buzzed/hummed.

So I called apple, and they sent me a new power supply. I put that it, and it didnt stop the annoying noise.

So I called again...this time they were certain it was the midpane.

After 38 full-size pages of instructions, staring at tiny peices, pulling things apart for 2 hours replacing the mid pain - not only is the problem still there, its worse!

The annoying humming sound is now accompanied by a definite buzz.

I cannot even tell you how mad I am right now.

I do NOT want this machine any longer. I love Macs, but certainly not this one...

When you first turned it on, according to your first post on this thread, it was making noise. That's when I would have put it back in the box and taken it straight back to the store. The store would have given you your money back or given you a different machine.

I bought a PC from Staples a couple of weeks ago, didn't like it, took it back yesterday, told them the screen was too grainy - not Staples fault - they asked if there was anything they could do for me or did I want my money back. We talked for a while and he showed me some other computers and I ended up getting one of them. If I had said no, give me my money back, there would have been no question.

I bought an iMac a couple of years ago from FutureShop (like Best Buy) They installed extra RAM in it for me. It would boot but wouldn't recognize the extra ram. I took it back, they didn't have another one, so no questions asked, they handed me the money.

It's not that hard.

I have a Palm Zire 72. The paint is flaking off. People have been waiting months for repairs. While I was at Staples yesterday I showed it to the guy and he said to get my info off it and bring it in and they'll give me a new one.

There's enough stress in the world without giving yourself this extra.

Margaret

 

[Crikey]

This problem is really unacceptable. I can't believe about all the problems we're hearing about with these new Macintosh machines. I got my G5 dead too, just unlucky I suppose. But, having been a reader of Macrumors for some years, there were hardly ever any problems with iMacs, Blue and Whites, G4 PowerMacs - now we have White spotted PBs, Video problem iBooks, Noisy iMacs, Dodgy superdrives and countless powermac problems. Maybe because people only ever talk about the bad? Who knows.

The only safe system I'd buy at the moment is the simple eMac. Rarely see problems with them.

Three words: "Made in China".


Crikey

 

[beatle888]

What are you complaining about! You should be happy you have a new computer. Anyway it is probably your fault any way. What's so bad about a Two hour operation to replace the mid-pane? Some people just like to complain.
Yes that was all in jest. Why some people around here always feel like they need to fight the good fight for apple is beyond me. You are the customer and you parted with your cash. It amazes me when I read some of the threads around here. If some one has a complaint there are always those few that feel like you are attacking them.
I hope they fix your problem soon.

Frump.

he has every right to be upset. he gave apple cash for a quality-no probelms machine and apple sent him an inferior machine. he should just be able to drop it off and pick up a replacement NO QUESTIONS ASKED. if i buy a new HD TV and somethings wrong with it do you think i should just shut up and accept it? what about a new car? i dont want to have to open a computer and do repairs on a new machine. quit attacking people for wanting what they pay for.

 

[beatle888]

I can't hear mine if I try.

are you sure about that? ive heard a fan noise from every imac and i would EXPECT to. is your energy control panel set for normal or HIGH performance. i heard the mac makes less noise with the setting set lower but i dont mind the little fan noise so i set it to higher.

its strange you cant hear yours at all since apple even states that its WHISPER quiet not absolutely quiet.

 

[Crikey]

I came here looking for possible solution to silence my iMac G5. No, not The Hum. The endless grinding sound of hard disk. 7200RPM of goodness just waiting to explode, it seems. It annoys me to no end, and is way louder than the hum.

Hum? Pffht.

Consider getting more RAM. If you've got software that gobbles RAM (like Microsoft Office), the standard RAM that shipped with your Mac isn't enough to stop it from swapping. Add about 1GB of RAM to it. The disk won't run so much, and the machine will feel considerably faster.


Crikey

 

[iGary]

are you sure about that? ive heard a fan noise from every imac and i would EXPECT to. is your energy control panel set for normal or HIGH performance. i heard the mac makes less noise with the setting set lower but i dont mind the little fan noise so i set it to higher.

its strange you cant hear yours at all since apple even states that its WHISPER quiet not absolutely quiet.

Unless I put my ear right up to the casing, no.

The only time I hear the fans is when I am doing a contact sheet or a series of actions in Photoshop.

 

[bellis1]

iMac G5 and PB

I suppose I am a fortunate customer with a quiet iMac g5 20". But I did have a trouble with customer service at apple. I went with my girlfriend who was buying a 12" alum powerbook at the apple store. When they took it out of the box at the store the keyboard was clearly a little warped and seemed higher in the middle especially when compared to the model on display. When she stated she did not want that defective laptop they said they'd be happy to take it back, but for a considerate stocking fee. She still has the computer and has kept the styrofoam insert to prevent the keys from scratching the screen. She left the store very unhappy. It just does not appear a very effective way to keep customer's happy. These types of incident's can easily create switcher's, perhaps switcher's to many other companies (Dell, Gateway) before finally switching back.

 

[parrothead]

I suppose I am a fortunate customer with a quiet iMac g5 20". But I did have a trouble with customer service at apple. I went with my girlfriend who was buying a 12" alum powerbook at the apple store. When they took it out of the box at the store the keyboard was clearly a little warped and seemed higher in the middle especially when compared to the model on display. When she stated she did not want that defective laptop they said they'd be happy to take it back, but for a considerate stocking fee. She still has the computer and has kept the styrofoam insert to prevent the keys from scratching the screen. She left the store very unhappy. It just does not appear a very effective way to keep customer's happy. These types of incident's can easily create switcher's, perhaps switcher's to many other companies (Dell, Gateway) before finally switching back.

Apple Store have discontinued their policy of charging a restocking fee. Or at least the one near me has. I would not have left the store until they gave me a new computer. It is not like she was trying to return it, they should have just exchanged it.

 

[Psychic Shopper]

Playing the race card

You know, I sometimes have this problem with people from Texas!
I graduated from high school in Texas, are you insulting me?

 

[iGary]

That depends on whether you are insulted or not, doesn't it?

 

[ebook]

Josh, I was just wondering if you have any update? I want to keep this to the top so we can see what happens with your bum deal. My replacement iMac shipped out from China yesterday and is supposed to arrive on the 24th. I just pray that it works and that it is not loud. Please, Please, Please let it be okay!!!!!!

 

[Frump]

he has every right to be upset. he gave apple cash for a quality-no probelms machine and apple sent him an inferior machine. he should just be able to drop it off and pick up a replacement NO QUESTIONS ASKED. if i buy a new HD TV and somethings wrong with it do you think i should just shut up and accept it? what about a new car? i dont want to have to open a computer and do repairs on a new machine. quit attacking people for wanting what they pay for.

read first then answer. If you are going to quote somebody then I suggest you read what you are quoting.

"Aumm dass"

 

[Frump]

I bought a 17" iMac G5.

So I called apple, and they sent me a new power supply. I put that it, and it didnt stop the annoying noise.

Question? did they replace the PSU with the universal PSU.

Frump.

 

[Josh]

Question? did they replace the PSU with the universal PSU.

Frump.

I have no idea which PSU they sent me. I just opened the box, opened my iMac, and made the swap.

I just picked up my iMac from the repair center. They believe there is no problem, and say that their iMac on the floor makes the same sound.

I really don't have any updates other than that, except I finally have it back home (Im using it right now).

 

[Frump]

I have no idea which PSU they sent me. I just opened the box, opened my iMac, and made the swap.

I just picked up my iMac from the repair center. They believe there is no problem, and say that their iMac on the floor makes the same sound.

I really don't have any updates other than that, except I finally have it back home (Im using it right now).

Is there any way you can check the voltage? 110/220.
Thanks for any info you can provide.

Frump.

 

[Josh]

Is there any way you can check the voltage? 110/220.
Thanks for any info you can provide.

Frump.

I'll open it up and check (it would say on it, right?) sometime when I get a chance.
I just got it back after a long time of frustration, and am in no hurry to be opening it up right now lol.

 

[Frump]

I'll open it up and check (it would say on it, right?) sometime when I get a chance.
I just got it back after a long time of frustration, and am in no hurry to be opening it up right now lol.

take your time and enjoy your computer while you have it.

frump.

 

[kotovasii]

NOT a good start

I had decided to switch to a Mac. I ordered iMac G5 17" it came I plugged it in.... and I got a sound of an aeroplane, dentist drill or whatever you wish to call it. It went back for a replacement. Apple support told me they are aware of the problem and do NOT know a solution but working on it. The replacement arrives soon, if the noise is there it goes straight back - no way I am spending £1K on something that doe snot work.
It also appears that 20" iMacs are less affected.

 

[MegaSignal]

I HATE this thing...

He probably doesn't work there any more.

They are trained to not admit any responsibility or wrong-doing and if he was caught taking your side, there's probably and empty cube where he used to sit.

This is a good example of why buying from a bricks and mortar store that has a good return policy is still the only way to go.

Sure you can get a *special order* machine directly from Apple and have the thrill of tracking it, but search this and other forums and see the agony of trying to get any satisfaction if anything is wrong with it out of the box.

It's a sad way to learn a lesson, but that might just be what this is.

Take care, Margaret

I had to CTO a G5 PM in order to get BlueTooth built-in. What a mistake...I've had this G5 for four days - and the whirring noise from the power supply fans is so loud I simply cannot use it any more. Despite having lost a small portion of my hearing, this thing is so loud that when I turn it off, my ears actually ring with relief. I never dreamed that I would have to learn to use Adobe Premiere and switch to a Dell just to get some peace and quiet - and some work done. As someone posted earlier, when one pays Apple Cash, one's expectations will be very high - especially when Apple promotes both the iMac G5 as well as the Power Mac G5 as being so damned quiet: http://www.apple.com/powermac/design.html

Worse yet, I actually had a repair man arrive at my house just a few days later, replacement power supply in hand, and nearly laughed at me when he said that he couldn't hear a thing. He left without even attempting to install the power supply - and I'm sure that with AppleCare or not, because of this, I'll never be able to get any service done on this whirring dervish ever again.

While not reading the entire thread, I know exactly how these people feel. Less than two weeks old, and the very sight of this aluminum monstrosity makes me sick. That credit card bill is going to be tough to swallow...

Thanks all for listening/reading. Somehow sharing the misery makes it easier...sort of.

 

[MattG]

Any updates Josh?