[/dev/null]

In January or February 2006, I bought this used 20" iMac G5 on eBay. Being new to Macs (this is my first Mac), I had no idea that this was a first-generation machine and that this generation was so problematic (had I known that I would not have purchased this machine and instead would have purchased a third-generation).

I got the machine and I loved it. I turned it on and started playing with the external iSight that was included (this is a first-generation so it does not have the internal iSight; the deal I got on eBay included the external one). I was in iChat and... boom, computer's off.

I thought it was just some kind of power surge (although it was connected to my UPS and nothing else went off). Then, it happened again. At this point I knew something was wrong, so I wrote the seller. I also went to Apple's support site and the first thing I noticed was the video and power repair extension. So I took the machine to the Apple Store and they had it fixed in about a day (that was impressive). (While I was there they also told me the machine was taken in for a logic board replacement because the ethernet did not work.)

In July 2006, well, problems started happening again. I called AppleCare who told me to take the machine in again. I took it in and they fixed it in about a day. I picked it up, got home, and it would not pair up with my Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (I had other USB mice, but not a USB keyboard) so I could do nothing with it. Annoyed, I went to the Apple Store the next day and spoke with the manager, who took the machine to the back and fixed the Bluetooth.

Now, I'm having more problems. The screen has a small, vertical pink line through it and some black horizontal lines around the top. Also, half the screen dims quite a bit (when it does, I put it into sleep for a few seconds which seems to fix it, temporarily). This would seem to be covered under the video and power repair extension (it could be called distorted video).

This means: the logic board has been replaced three times (once with the first owner, and twice with me), and now there's another problem. Do you think I have justification to ask for a new machine?

I love this machine and OS X, but it is kind of high-maintenance. (But still, OS X makes up for everything! And with it based on BSD, that's even better.)

[Big Mac]

Yes, such a request is justified. Three motherboard swaps almost guarantee you the offer of a new Mac, unless the policy has changed in recent times.

[/dev/null]

Where should I begin? Should I call AppleCare first or should I call the customer relations number (it can be found with a bit of Googling)?

Thank you.

[experimental]

I had one of those suckers and I can sympathise. When I was trying to find help on the old Apple Forums, I was bood off! I did however get a lot more support here.
After 2 mothers and 2 screens, I finally got mine fixed. Perhaps one more repacement fix and you are there? Its worth the try and probably quicker than trying to get a new machine to replace a three year old one.
When the rev 1 gets hot, for example watching a dvd and recording sound from internet at same time, those fans can sound like a Huey taking off. I never got that fixed.

[/dev/null]

The fans on this machine are okay; I don't have any problems with it. When I do resource-intensive things the fans do get loud but it's not really a bother.

[IceEnclosure]

Apple - Support - iMac G5 Repair Extension Program for Video and Power Issues

The iMac G5 Repair Extension Program for Video and Power Issues applies to first generation iMac G5 computers that have video or power-related issues as a result of a specific component failure. If your iMac G5 is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed below and your computer's serial number is within the noted ranges, your computer may be eligible for repair, free of charge. If Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) determines that your iMac G5 computer is eligible as part of the program, the repair will be covered by Apple for up to three years from the original date of purchase even if your iMac G5 is out of warranty. This is a worldwide Apple program.

Affected systems will exhibit one of the following video- or power-related symptoms:

Scrambled or distorted video
No video
No power

[goMac]

Originally Posted by /dev/null 

I got the machine and I loved it. I turned it on and started playing with the external iSight that was included (this is a first-generation so it does not have the internal iSight; the deal I got on eBay included the external one). I was in iChat and... boom, computer's off.

This is a power supply issue, not a motherboard issue. It is a known issue and there is a recall on the old power supplies. My parents had this issue and Apple swapped out the power supply. In since it is a recall the repair can be done outside of AppleCare.

[/dev/null]

The EMC number of this machine is 2008, so it only falls under the video and power extension, not the power supply extension.

[/dev/null]

I called customer relations (by calling the Cupertino number and asking for customer relations) who stated that, the first time I took it in under the repair extension, they fixed it and the problem was resolved (so the repair extension does not apply). The second time, apparently the Apple Store requested an exception which was granted (so it wasn't under the extension).

So they're not willing to replace it.

I'm unsure of what I should do next? It's quite obvious that this computer is a lemon.

[/dev/null]

Is there anyone higher than customer relations (that accepts phone calls with the customer)?