[Hans]

My iMac (1.8, 20 inch) (just one year old) shuts down unexpectedly with a relatively loud "blob". This has happened now 4 times. It starts up normally, but it is still annoying. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Best regards.
Hans

[Macpilot]

Take it to the nearest Apple Store, or authorized repair facility. Your machine probably needs a new power supply and motherboard.

Luckily, since that is the first generation iMac G5 and Apple has noticed a higher-than-normal failure on these machines, that machine probably falls under the complimentary extended warranty for power and/or video issues. That extension goes another year beyond the first year, but only for those issues.

This is moot if you bought the AppleCare Protection Plan, in which case you are covered.

Back up your data ASAP. Failures in power supplies and motherboards can also cause hard drive damage.

Good luck.

[CaptainHaddock]

This happened to my wife's 6-month-old iMac too. Apple picked it up, fixed it, and had it back within 4 days — returning it on Christmas Eve, no less. They didn't even have to wipe or replace the hard disk, so her data survived.

[Hans]

Will do. Many thanks for the advice.
Best hans

[awaspaas]

Do take it to the apple store if possible. This same thing happened to me and I made an appointment to take it in at 9:45 on a Thursday night (store was open till 10) and the guy replaced the power supply right while I waited. I was out of the store a little after 10. Sweet huh?