[rotuts]

I have an imac 2.4 GH Intel core duo with 2 GB RAM

it doesnt always boot correctly, some times not at all

then some times after a pause where I hear nothiing i ge a lowd 'BONG" thats not really a bong and then it boots but w/o those nice chimes

I rebooted with the Instrall DVD and it found nothing wrong with the HD

is it a loose power cord? Ive had the machine a while > 1 year but have not used it as I use my MacPro.

I was getting it set up to send to a friend

is there a 'power on' light somewhere so that I can illimminate a loose power cord?

I had a mac for ever and that 'bong' sound seems to indicate to me that something is wrong with the HD or the boot volume.

do I need to wipe the drive and start again? if I can eliminate the power cord => power to the machine that would be an initial big help.

sometimes i hold down the power button and nothing at all happens.

its booted now three times after a shutdown w/o any issue

thanks for your interest in this problem and help

cheers

[Big Mac]

What makes you suspect a loose power cord? When you say you get a loud bong and then it boots but without those "nice chimes," what nice chimes are you referring to? What happens when it doesn't boot normally?

With modern Macs if there's a long pause between power on and the startup chime, it indicates some type of non-fatal hardware issue. When this occurs you should see the power indicator LED blink multiple times, which will indicate the specific problem. For example, with a non-functioning battery an MBP's power light will blink five times (I think) before the startup chime.

[rotuts]

thanks for your help

right now nothing happens when I hold down the power button.

on the iMac is there a 'power on' light?

the 'nice' chimes I was referring too are the standard start up music.

there is power to the cord, as i cheched that with a power indicator.

that it once or twice booted after a several second pause holding down the power botton, then the lowd 'bong' its not really a bong, but its a start up sound yoou don't want to be hearing I can tell you that!

if I put in the install DVD in the drive then push the power button now nothing happens: dont hear the dvd drive pulling in the dvd etc.

this may not have anything to do with the problem, but this seems to have happened this am when i first tried to put the iMac in target mode

which didnt work, and may only be coincidental

any further ideas much appreciated. it it needs a trip to the Mac Repair shop im not sure its really worth it as its 1 1/2 years old and probably been on only a few hours

its that one to two time 'bong' noise I wish I knew what that meant.

its a similar noise Ive head in the past on various multi HD/multi OS machines Ive had

thanks very much appreciated

[rotuts]

I put a different power cord in the back and it booted with first the 'bong' then the normal chimes.

I shut down, waited and tried again and get the same as above.

it restarts fine with the different power cord, ( not the white one that came with it) doing a normal chime sequence.

I shut down and then rebooted,seems fine

did I get th 'bong' by holding my finger too long on the 'on' button?

its like that re set the PRAM sound. remember that one?

any further ideas?

thanks

[reader50]

This model of iMac doesn't have a power light, based on the manuals. There are diagnostic LEDs on the motherboard, but you have to open up the case to see them. Based on the trouble description, I'd suspect a power issue.

edit: you only have to click the power button to turn the system on. No need to hold it down.

If the problem persists, I'd take it in to an Apple Store. Macs hold their value for a long time - 1.5 years old is still nearly new in my books. Also, if it's a known problem, there may be a warranty extension (or silent extension) in effect. So they might just fix it for free.

[rotuts]

its clearly the power cord connection area.

I went back to the white cord and boots fine.

shut down boots fine

shut down, boots fine

you do have to get the cord firmly set.

what should I do? send it to my friend? if their family has to take it to the Mac Fix it (mac store) they will wipe off all the software I put on it.
should i take it to a local place that does repairs and ask them to specifically look at the power cord area?

thanks

[reader50]

I'd try to use it for a few days. See if the cord is set well, or if a substitute cord is reliable. If it settles down for you, then you can pass the iMac along.

If it doesn't settle down, then make a full Time Machine backup in case Apple did wipe the drive.

[rotuts]

whats extreemly odd is so far, reboot (vs shutdown - wait - boot) has not ever failed (yet).

if I can get enough reboots or boots Ill send it as they can get it ( ? new power pack) fixed locally ( ie Berkeley) where there are a lot of mac-fix-its non aapl

thanks

how odd! if it gets eventually fixed Ill add to this thread

thanks a lot