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Big Slick · Sep 23, 2007, 03:19 PM

Wondering if anyone else with the new 24" 2.8 extreme 500gb HD and 2gb of ram is having any problems, like I am.

It all started with an install of Parallels and XP service pk3. During install it asked if I wanted to partition drive so I said yes. All was okay for a short while. Eventhough I coudn't get xp to recognize video ram, network connection (dsl), or sound, seemed like a small problem until I got too frustrated and deleted whole thing. Unforunately I think this started the slow death of my machine!
My system kept freezing when either I moved the mouse over the dock or when re-starting. After several calls to apple tech (thank god for apple care!!!) with various tips ie: start with shift held, start with c held down, start with option held, etc, etc, it was suggested I reinstall and back up data.
After re-install I loaded my data from my new Seagate external drive (250gb) still froze like above. Now after another clean install, no saved data put on the system, it still does the same thing!!!! PIECE OF @@@@

At least I can use "safe mode" for now. I can access internet and all usb ports while in safe mode - despite what the tech dude at Future Shop (Canadian Best Buy) said that usb ports disabled in safe mode.

Apple is having a tech come to my place to look over my system. I hope it works okay.

Moral of the story: Just like buying cars, it's best to let the first run go thru before buying. "Oh...we forgot to put this bolt onto the engine - maybe we should fix it"

rmiller · Sep 23, 2007, 03:59 PM

Sounds like your problem is with Parallels not Apple. I had Parallels screw up my white 24" Imac. On my new Alum. 24" 2.8 I used boot camp and Vista, so far no problems. Good luck on getting your system up and running again.

Dick

Big Slick · Sep 23, 2007, 04:07 PM

That's why I (tried to) erase all "evidence" of Parallels. I got rid of most of it by dragging everything I could find to the trash and then after TWO erase and installs my system should have been squeaky clean - just like out of the box.

Hosted a poker nite yesterday evening, and my pc friends were gleefuly laughing at my troubles. I'm so ashamed.....

.Neo · Sep 23, 2007, 05:19 PM

I have the exact same iMac and I don't experience any of those problems.

Chuckit · Sep 23, 2007, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Big Slick

That's why I (tried to) erase all "evidence" of Parallels. I got rid of most of it by dragging everything I could find to the trash and then after TWO erase and installs my system should have been squeaky clean - just like out of the box.

Did you repartition the drive when you were erasing?

ghporter · Sep 23, 2007, 05:49 PM

I have the 20" iMac and Parallels has been running fine for me. From your initial post, it sounds like you may not have installed the Boot Camp drivers-which should allow Windows to "see" everything. Parallels only provides drivers for what it virtualizes, so that could have caused a lot of problems for you.

Two "erase and install" cycles sounds very much excessive-one should wipe the drive "squeaky clean".

Big Slick · Sep 23, 2007, 08:12 PM

I thought Boot Camp was a separate program. I didn't install any of the drivers u mentioned. After the first erase and install, it appeared to reset the drive partitions to only one. The second erase/install was on advice from apple tech because they believe I may have corrupt data from my back-up, and to try and just install the os by itself.

ghporter · Sep 23, 2007, 08:17 PM

Boot Camp is a number of things. It is a program that partitions your drive and will run the Windows installer if you like. It will also burn a CD of drivers for the Mac's specific hardware-drivers that are often essential for certain pieces of the Mac hardware to be accessible, since that hardware is unique to Apple's machines.

I recommend installing XP through Boot Camp and then (maybe) installing Parallels and configuring it to use the Windows partition Boot Camp sets up. There are still things you can't do very well via Parallels-I have a number of USB peripherals that really only work under Windows, but Parallels' USB support/virtualization keeps them from working at all. But running software and producing documents and such should work fine, especially if you're using a virtual machine whose disk image is based on a real OS installation.

TRIMA · Sep 24, 2007, 07:04 AM

I had a problem with VMWare Fusion (wanted to see how this virtualisation technic works with Windows and Linux).

Installed WINDOWS XP on my MAC PRO and since then Powerpoint cannot open PPT's while the path is gone.
So I now do not know if I will try it again.
Because some other little problems occured since that installation.

Wait untill Leopard comes out, then I clean the whole lot and forget about it using other stuff then OS X.

Big Slick · Sep 24, 2007, 04:37 PM

I just heard back from my local Apple authorized repair facility, and according o them, they are putting in a new system board and new ram. Hope it's better. Wish me luck.

As for XP I was just planning on using it for a few games.

analogika · Sep 25, 2007, 03:41 AM

nm.

ghporter · Sep 25, 2007, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by Big Slick

I just heard back from my local Apple authorized repair facility, and according o them, they are putting in a new system board and new ram. Hope it's better. Wish me luck.

As for XP I was just planning on using it for a few games.

Good to hear that there was something real causing your problems-and that Apple is making it right.

For games, I think the only way to go is booting XP natively. Parallels' video emulation isn't up to even older games, let alone current ones. On the other hand, under XP, the iMac's video system should be really nice for gaming. And the only way to access that level of function is to boot to XP.

souldr · Sep 25, 2007, 03:40 PM

I've been a long-time user of Macs. I have a G-5 tower, but I recently purchased a new aluminum Imac. I had almost indescribable/bizarre screen problems. After many calls to AppleCare, I finally contacted Customer Service and requested a replacement. I've been waiting and waiting for this replacement. I'm really disappointed at the "service" I've received from Apple with unkept promises and unreturned phone calls. I hope that Macs are not going the way of PC's.

Big Slick · Sep 25, 2007, 06:07 PM

Wow - fast service!!! Took my imac into my local mac authorized service centre yesterday evening, and they called and said it was ready IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS!!!! After receiving the parts from Apple, they replaced the logic board (easier than tracking down problem apparently), put in new ram, AND installed my os. Grand total....$0.00 Cdn (that's $0.00 USD btw) simply priceless!

The kicker is it seems to be working fine.

Big Slick · Oct 1, 2007, 05:15 PM

New update to my situation:

After new logic board and ram replacement, my problems seemed to dissapear. Although I didn't shut my imac off at night until I needed to restart on Sunday.
I was installing some new drivers for my printer and m-audio midi device and after requiring a restart, and my imac wouldn't restart! WTF!!! Same problems. Tried starting holding down d (apple test says all ok), holding shift (disk utilility says ok).
After calling Apple (again), the tech guy seemed puzzled and guessed it might be the HD. I guess it's back to the service centre for a few days while they do some testing.