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CaseyJones · Feb 26, 2006, 12:07 PM

Okay, Mac Gurus, I need your help. I have a relatively new iMac and am having problems with starting up.

When I start the machine, it makes the chime sound and then the monitor goes haywire (fuzzy, static-y looking or just a bunch of snowy Poltergeist TV screen looking pattern). The machine tries to start up, I can see the progress bar and the Apple icon, but then it locks up. I have to restart it from the button on the back several times before it will get to the Desktop. At that point, I can launch programs, but soon after it will lock up and I have to restart again. Eventually all is fine and I can work on the machine (as I am right now), but every now and then it seems to hang up, the monitor gets fuzzy, and then it goes back to normal.

I'm wondering if anyone has had this problem, if it sounds like a hardware or software (system?) problem, or if anyone has any good advice on how to fix it. Thanks in advance for your help.

harrisjamieh · Feb 26, 2006, 01:20 PM

Sounds like a logic board problem. When you say relatively new, do you mean a Rev C, ie the 1st iMac with a built in i-sight, or do you mean a Rev B, the last iMac WITHOUT an iSight built in? The reason I say this is that the Rev A iMacs had heat issues, causing problems, and IIRC, so did the Rev B's, though to a lesser extent.

CaseyJones · Feb 26, 2006, 07:29 PM

[QUOTE=When you say relatively new, do you mean a Rev C...[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure. I bought it around March of 2005, if that makes a difference. Otherwise, how can I tell? And if it's the logic board, is that eventually fatal and costly?

harrisjamieh · Feb 27, 2006, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by CaseyJones

I'm not sure. I bought it around March of 2005, if that makes a difference. Otherwise, how can I tell? And if it's the logic board, is that eventually fatal and costly?

If you bought it in March '05, its a Rev A, as the Rev B's came out in May 05. This means, i think, that its almost deff. a logic board prob. Ring Apple and they should be able to help you.

Did you buy the extended warrenty (applecare)? If not, the HURRY, as your 1 year warrenty is about to run out!

Big Mac · Feb 27, 2006, 04:49 AM

Get AppleCare ASAP, Casey!

Btw, are you the Casey Jones of Disney fame or the Casey Jones of TMNT fame?

Eug Wanker · 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Get AppleCare ASAP, Casey!

He might be able to get the logic board replaced (repeatedly) even without AppleCare. Then again, I'd get AppleCare for it too.

P.S. Here is a thread about the G5 iMac logic board problem.

P.P.S. Pet peeve:

Originally Posted by harrisjamieh

If you bought it in March '05, its a Rev A, as the Rev B's came out in May 05.

Why do people call it a "rev. A"? It hasn't been revised yet. It's a first gen machine. Rev. A would be the second generation. Apple certainly doesn't call it "rev. A".

CaseyJones · Feb 27, 2006, 10:31 AM

Hey, Eug Wanker and everyone else, thanks very much for the quick and accurate response. It looks like I will be able to replace the logic board at no cost for my iMac. Looks like I can make lemonade out of this lemon.

And BTW, as a Mac user for nearly 20 years, I still believe there is no personal computer or computer company as great as Apple. I just wish I had bought the stock long ago...