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My iMac G5: Unaccaptable!
- Thread starter Josh
- Start date
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Let's hope it didn't come to thatmklos said:Must be Josh just said the hell with it and bought a PC!
As you can see from my sig. i also have this exact problem. That sound file sounds just like my comuter when i'm at fox.com or doing ilife stuff. My mother bought this computer as a gift for the family and i dont know how to tell her it defective as we are switchers. We've had it for two weeks. Its a beautiful machine but the noise tarnishes it. I have remedied it slightly by putting a credit card under the air intake on the bottom though its still very noticable. I have not called Apple as i know the answer i'm going to get, "
its normal." I will call Apple when their engineering dept. comes up with a solution. I just hope they dont wait till the next revision. Shame on Apple.
its normal." I will call Apple when their engineering dept. comes up with a solution. I just hope they dont wait till the next revision. Shame on Apple.
daveway00 said:
If your Mom bought it, she likely got it at Best Buy or somewhere like that - right? Go to where she bought it from, talk to the Mac guys and tell them what it sounds like. Don't wait. If it's defective, they will tell you to bring it back - that's what they do!!
I'm a Mom and if I spent that kind of money (which I have by the way) on something for my kids, I would be horrified if they were putting up with a defective computer in fear of hurting my feelings. Take steps to correct the problem.
Your first line of attack is the store where you bought it - use their return policy.
Margaret
daveway00 said:
Don't wait it out...the problem isn't going to fix itself. The longer you wait, the less of a chance you'll get a replacement one. Go to the store you bought it from and explain the situation with the customer service, or the store manager, NOT SOME REGULAR STORE EMPLOYEE!!!! Go to the main source. Its their job to please you. Some regular employee couldn't give a damn about you getting a replacement. If they won't give you a replacement, then its time to call Apple.
If you get the same problem with the replacement, then the store may get a little suspicious if you try to get another replacement, but its worth a shot. If they won't replace it, then its time to call Apple and explain that you've had 2 different iMac G5's with the same exact problem, and tell them you know its not normal. Don't let them give you the run around like what poor Josh is going through.
Apple probably knows this is a problem, and they're giving people are hard time about this to cover their @$$ and buy some time to fix the issue.
iGary said:
My ibook had the logic board problem well before apple started offering free repairs for the ibooks. I went to the nearest apple store, gave them my ibook and they shipped it out, fixed it, and returned it to me for free.
Seriously, Josh, what was so hard about driving to the nearest apple store and just giving them your iMac G5. Worst thing they could do is ship it out and fix it, best thing would have been a brand new iMac. It would have saved you a lot of trouble.
Ohh and about sending it to a specalist to verify the sound, you know they have to verify it just in case you were trying to scam em(not saying you were, but people do try stupid stuff like that)
Josh, do what I did when I had a similar problem with my iMac G5.
I called Apple Support (very helpful and detailed), I explained what the issue was and what I thought it was. They referred me to an Apple Repair Specialist and I spoke to him for quite a bit, and explain that this is what I think what the problem was. He agreed with me and told me since its only been less then 2 weeks to go back to the store where I bought it and return it as a defective model. I did so without any problems.
I have no problems fixing any computer may it be Mac or PC, however I do have a problem when I pay a decent amount of my money and have problems thrown at me and no I didn't pay that sum of money to also repair my own computer either. It might sound to some here that I am being sour however if I paid 500 CAD then I would expect myself to fix it not spending 5 times that amount and fixing it myself. I got turned off buy the problems with noise with the rev A iMac G5 model I will wait for rev B or buy a rev C PMG5 DP.
Why do people who have problems with they Mac's see fit to fix it themselves, you paid good money to buy a good computer you should expect nothing less, get Apple to fix it themselves. They are a business and not fixing most of the problems with they new model looks negative upon them. Anyhow I know Apples has problems with they rev A models so its come to no surprise.
---------on note of racism-------------
I am sure Edge was just angry and not thinking in regards to his comments. He or She for that matter felt it as an attack to East Indian people and in anger made a rude comment about Texas people.
People we have to remember that People from every country have accents and people from every country, English is not they first language. Give people a chance for trying at least. If you are frustrated that someone in India or China has taken your job they have not, its the companies and gov't that has allowed companies to take the native jobs and out source them. It's not they fault or yours it's the companies that do this and the gov't that allow this.
And no I am not taking sides in all this, I just feel people are misinformed about all this and have hate towards others. If you cannot understand someone try your best to understand, its not like they are speaking in they native language that you have absolutely no clue as to what they are trying to convey.
Edge and wPod are both at fault for the misunderstanding nothing more or nothing less. Mature people you are not in grade school, if wPod didn't understand the East Indian accent in speaking English then there is nothing wrong with Edge not understanding a Texan accent speaking English.
If you have problems see a shrink, since we do not deal with charity.
I called Apple Support (very helpful and detailed), I explained what the issue was and what I thought it was. They referred me to an Apple Repair Specialist and I spoke to him for quite a bit, and explain that this is what I think what the problem was. He agreed with me and told me since its only been less then 2 weeks to go back to the store where I bought it and return it as a defective model. I did so without any problems.
I have no problems fixing any computer may it be Mac or PC, however I do have a problem when I pay a decent amount of my money and have problems thrown at me and no I didn't pay that sum of money to also repair my own computer either. It might sound to some here that I am being sour however if I paid 500 CAD then I would expect myself to fix it not spending 5 times that amount and fixing it myself. I got turned off buy the problems with noise with the rev A iMac G5 model I will wait for rev B or buy a rev C PMG5 DP.
Why do people who have problems with they Mac's see fit to fix it themselves, you paid good money to buy a good computer you should expect nothing less, get Apple to fix it themselves. They are a business and not fixing most of the problems with they new model looks negative upon them. Anyhow I know Apples has problems with they rev A models so its come to no surprise.
---------on note of racism-------------
I am sure Edge was just angry and not thinking in regards to his comments. He or She for that matter felt it as an attack to East Indian people and in anger made a rude comment about Texas people.
People we have to remember that People from every country have accents and people from every country, English is not they first language. Give people a chance for trying at least. If you are frustrated that someone in India or China has taken your job they have not, its the companies and gov't that has allowed companies to take the native jobs and out source them. It's not they fault or yours it's the companies that do this and the gov't that allow this.
And no I am not taking sides in all this, I just feel people are misinformed about all this and have hate towards others. If you cannot understand someone try your best to understand, its not like they are speaking in they native language that you have absolutely no clue as to what they are trying to convey.
Edge and wPod are both at fault for the misunderstanding nothing more or nothing less. Mature people you are not in grade school, if wPod didn't understand the East Indian accent in speaking English then there is nothing wrong with Edge not understanding a Texan accent speaking English.
If you have problems see a shrink, since we do not deal with charity.
jadam said:
ROTF, Josh still has some of the mentality of a PC user to fix the Hardware yourself rather than just pick up a new one. Which is easier. It seems at times PC users just ask for the extra steps, its alright though we will form him into a Mac user yet. Mac users something is wrong, forget to fix it just five the Hardware to the repair shop or get a new one in exchange. PC users something is wrong with the Hardware, lets tinker with it and fix it make it worse who cares we have to fix it, since we like to play doctor and think we our Gods of our PC.
mklos said:
When I called Apple about the buzzing noise in my 20" iMac G5, the people on the other side never claimed it was normal. Their script tells them to ask you to raise and lower the brightness of your screen (that indicates a PSU problem).
They give you the option of sending you the part for you to install it, but if you have an Apple Certified Technician nearby you can have them install it for you (if you're within your first 90 days of AppleCare, or if you bought the extension).
I arranged for service at my local Apple Store. The tech there ordered both the PSU and, just in case it was needed, a logic board.
Anyway it couldn't be easier, but it did take some time on the phone and they had to connect me with a product specialist before they could authorize replacement parts.
Apple is well aware of the problem and they're doing a decent job of addressing it. The problem (if you read Apple's support forums) is that many of the replacement parts don't solve the problem somehow.
The repair at my local Apple store would be a same-day operation. It's just a matter of giving them your case number, then they order the parts, then they call you to let you know they have the parts and you say which day you can bring in your machine.
I sold the 20" and got a 17" (it was for my dad, and it's way too much computer for him). The new owner has the case number and he can take it to his local Apple retail store to get it all worked out.
mklos said:
Sounds like the problem they had with the mini, and the sound crackle. I believe the problem is having the PSU housed in the case that is causing the extra heat and in return is heating the case and CPU thus the 3 fans are reving at high speed.
Dammit John Ive, having the PSU housed in the case is a bad idea, it adds more weight to it and heat. Remember the iMac G5 is wrapped in plastic and acetate thus keeping more heat inside rather than use some sort of metal alloy that will spread and remove the heat away. Bad choice to house the PSU in the case and not using some coloured metal for removing the heat away faster.
The iMac G5 seems like a good design just bad implementation of materials and placement. Removing the PSU from the case should make the thick white bar below the screen smaller or eliminate it entirely.
iMac G5 side profile looks kewl however when the front profile with the thick white bar it looks unattractive.
I will take it as a personal challenge to design a better iMac G5 case and internals, take that John Ive. And give me a freelance job to work on the iMac design team.
m a y a said:
The "thick white bar" which you find unattractive is an homage to the original 1984 Macintosh and its descendents. This reference is probably lost on lots of people because they never used a non-OS X Mac and the Happy Mac icon doesn't show up while booting OS X.
The buzzing noise I had was just faulty engineering. It sounded like alternating current in a bad transformer, or the noise that a fluorescent tube light makes. Some people here with G5 iMacs talking about "fan noise" not bothering them do not have the buzzing noise problem. The buzzing noise is out of spec. I could hear it above the noise of my home's heater and refrigerator. When the heater switched off (thermostat) the buzzing noise was just the same, only more annoying.
The iMac's case design has plenty of metal inside it which conducts the heat up and out through the exhaust vents. The heat isn't trapped by the plastic. Of course this isn't the same heat dissipation as the aluminum PowerBooks and Cinema Displays, but it's not a heat trap either.
Putting the power supply on the outside is a bad idea! This is one the things that people praise about the iMac G5 is the fact that there isn't any ugly looking external power block.
We all have to remember that this is a Rev A model. Rev A models are all prone to problems until its all worked out. This is true for just about anything, not just Macs or computers in general. Even a lot of Rev A cars models have a lot of problems sometimes.
We all have to remember that this is a Rev A model. Rev A models are all prone to problems until its all worked out. This is true for just about anything, not just Macs or computers in general. Even a lot of Rev A cars models have a lot of problems sometimes.
mklos said:
Apple's external power supplies are not ugly. Look at the iPod, iBook and PowerBook adapters. Putting the power supply on the outside is a brilliant idea. It's one less thing to add heat and heft inside the iMac. External power supplies (iPod, portables) don't buzz. The iMac should have its own pretty white square. That will not be ugly, especially next to your Airport Express base station and/or DVI-ADC adapter (if you have them). Besides if you keep your cables nice and tidy (as I do) most all of your wires and plugs are out of sight anyhow.
Rod Rod said:
I agree with you I don't know why people find Apples Power Supply and Adapters ugly.
I don't see what all the fuss is about wires, I mean if you have the new iMac G5 sure you can be AE for wireless internet, BT for wireless keyboard and mouse, however you still have a firewire hooked to the iMac G5 that is for the iPod. Am I right and if you have an external HDD or Faster Dual Layer DVD burner or some other TV Tuner box. Again you still have wires. People are making a fuss about wires seems stupid.
Now if they had FireWireless that would be another story.I am still curious since the PMG5 tower and ACD match with the AL look when are they going to do the same for the keyboard and mouse, the white looks out of place or I forgot the sides of the ACD are white.
We bought the computer from Amazon.com. I think i'll call Apple and see if i can get a new logic board out here. If it works it works and if it doesnt then they know i'm on their list of "buzzers"
daveway00 said:
Your first line of return/replacement is Amazon!!
Amazon has clout!! If they sell 100 iMacs and get 99 of them back because of problems like yours, don't you think they'll be on the horn to Apple? and they won't be talking to whoever pulled the early shift at 1-800-my-apple, they'll be talking to someone who can take action.
I know I sound like a broken record, but the folks who answer the phone when you call apple are trained not to admit any fault on apple's part - can you say LAWSUIT! If they were to start admitting there was a problem, imagine how that would escalate once word got around?
And read the rest of this thread - are you sure it's a logic board problem - I didn't get that the noise was related to the logic board.
Margaret
I just got my new iMac, and it's silent...
I encountered this thread shortly after having placed an order for a 1.8 GHz 17" iMac with 1 GB RAM and a 160 GB disk, and I almost cancelled my order because of it.
Fortunately, I didn't panic, and the machine arrived yesterday. Not only is it beautiful, fast and full of OS X goodness, it is almost silent except under high load. Even under high load, it isn't as loud as my LaCie external hard drive, and the LaCie and iMac together are drowned out by the PC under the desk when it is turned on.
So, the 'whisper quiet' claim is certainly true of the machine I got. If it's not true of yours, there's something wrong with it.
I hope those (few?) of you with defective machines can get the issue resolved to your satisfaction. And for those of you hesitating about purchasing a new iMac because of noise issues, I suspect that most of the hundreds of thousands of new iMac owners are as happy as I am.
Cheers
I encountered this thread shortly after having placed an order for a 1.8 GHz 17" iMac with 1 GB RAM and a 160 GB disk, and I almost cancelled my order because of it.
Fortunately, I didn't panic, and the machine arrived yesterday. Not only is it beautiful, fast and full of OS X goodness, it is almost silent except under high load. Even under high load, it isn't as loud as my LaCie external hard drive, and the LaCie and iMac together are drowned out by the PC under the desk when it is turned on.
So, the 'whisper quiet' claim is certainly true of the machine I got. If it's not true of yours, there's something wrong with it.
I hope those (few?) of you with defective machines can get the issue resolved to your satisfaction. And for those of you hesitating about purchasing a new iMac because of noise issues, I suspect that most of the hundreds of thousands of new iMac owners are as happy as I am.
Cheers
jadam said:
Just to clarify, it's 90 days of "full service" warranty, and 1 year of hardware warranty. The difference this makes with iMac G5 replacement parts is that within the first 90 days you can get Apple to do the repairs. Otherwise there's no other choice than you installing the service parts yourself. If you buy the AppleCare extended warranty then you can get them (Apple certified technicians) to do all the repairs beyond the 90 days and up to three years after the purchase date of the computer, at your local Apple store or right in your home or office.
Here is hoping the rev B, iMac G5 will have fewer fans and a better thought out placement of the PSU as in outside the case not inside. <--with this slight improvement only 1-2 fans will be needed at best which will make it even more silent. No fans would equal bliss however that might not happen till rev C. As when the original iMac G3, when it reached it EOL last update or 2 it had no fans. Perfection.
I would say the next iMac G5 rev B should be released sometime around ~March 2005, if you cannot wait till that time buy an iMac G5 now.
<--with this slight improvement only 1-2 fans will be needed at best which will make it even more silent. No fans would equal bliss however that might not happen till rev C. As when the original iMac G3, when it reached it EOL last update or 2 it had no fans. Perfection. I would say the next iMac G5 rev B should be released sometime around ~March 2005, if you cannot wait till that time buy an iMac G5 now.
Rod Rod said:
Ummm no.
Yes I did mix up the phone support 90day warranty and the 1 year hardware warranty. But the 90day phone support warranty is just that, its only 90 days of free phone support. Apple will fix your machine for free until your hardware warranty expries.
Josh, have you had any good news?
(Unfortunatly for you) This has become a soap opera... were all waiting for the latest installment!
Chuckles
__________________
I'm not laughing at you - thats my name!
(Unfortunatly for you) This has become a soap opera... were all waiting for the latest installment!
Chuckles
__________________
I'm not laughing at you - thats my name!
jadam said:
I didn't make myself clear enough for you to get what I meant, so I have to go pedantic here.
Apple has a policy about customer installable parts. Just about every single part of the iMac G5 is customer installable.
If you are in the first 90 days (which is also the time period in which you get free phone support, as you noted), you have the option of having Apple install your customer installable parts.
If you are outside of those first 90 days and you have not purchased the AppleCare extended warranty, at that point you have no choice but to install the parts yourself (or pay a technician to do it for you).
Yes, the hardware warranty lasts for one year. But no, if you have an issue that requires replacement of a part or parts, and Apple considers the part or parts to be "customer installable," Apple will only send you the part for you to install yourself.
Apple will not "fix your machine for free until your hardware warranty expires," as far as the iMac G5 is concerned. Apple will send you parts for free, for you to install for free, until your hardware warranty expires.
Rod Rod said:
You are incorrect. All Macs come with a one year warranty and 90 days of phone support. AppleCare can extend the phone support and hardware warranty for 3 years from purchase date. Having AppleCare does not affect the one year of service or whether or not Apple will perform the repair. Read the Apple Warranty, they may "request" that you install the part but you are under no obligation to do so. People who don't know or open their mouths will get parts to replace if they are not comfortable doing so. This keep Apple's costs down. Any user is within their rights to have Apple do the service on any part.
http://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/hardware.html
rdowns said:
Thank you for the clarification. I just spoke with AppleCare on Wednesday morning and what I'd posted reflects what they told me.
The AppleCare product specialist expressly told me that I need to buy the AppleCare extended warranty, or be within the first 90 days of purchase, in order to have the privilege of Apple conducting the repair (as opposed to being compelled to install the parts myself).
That's pretty rotten of that AppleCare guy to have explicitly misled me. I'll be assertive with them in the future about getting them to do the repairs for me. Of course I'll be overly polite at the same time, just so they don't mess up my case number.