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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Desktops > iMac let its smoke out...think it was just the hard drive?

iMac let its smoke out...think it was just the hard drive?
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Laminar
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Sep 22, 2015, 03:13 PM
 
On Saturday I was sitting at my iMac (2010 i7 2.93). I heard the hard drive spin up and down twice, then smoke started pouring out of the top vents. I tried to shutdown via the Apple menu but it was unresponsive, so I yanked the power cord out.

After most of the smoke had cleared, some was still wafting out:


I installed an SSD a couple year ago utilizing the extra SATA port on this iMac's logic board. I used a splitter in front of the original hard drive's connection to power both drives.

The splitter was all melty at the HD connection:


And the hard drive didn't look too great:


The display cable pressed against this connection didn't fare too well, either:


As it sits:


I have a new splitter on hand and a new 3TB hard drive is coming today.

I took the old hard drive apart and nothing looked specifically smoked. What are the odds that it was just the hard drive? What are the odds of me smoking a brand new hard drive?
( Last edited by Laminar; Sep 22, 2015 at 04:43 PM. )
     
OAW
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Sep 22, 2015, 04:10 PM
 
Not a hardware guy at all so I have no idea. Sorry for your troubles dude.

OAW
     
Mike Wuerthele
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Sep 22, 2015, 04:17 PM
 
Display cable looks rough, but at first glance, it looks like a short in the splitter. 50/50, I'm guessing. No way to tell for sure, but do examine where the splitter was sitting for other burn marks.
     
Laminar  (op)
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Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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Sep 22, 2015, 04:40 PM
 
I don't think it actually revealed any copper in the display cable, just burnt away the insulation.

I already ripped the hard drive open to find the burnt parts so even if it wasn't already toast it is now, but mostly I needed an excuse to get something bigger.
     
reader50
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Sep 22, 2015, 04:59 PM
 
I agree with Mike, short in the splitter and a so-so chance everything else will work. The drive might have survived with just cleaning of the contacts area. You could have tested it in a USB dock.

I'd use a different splitter brand though. Who made the old splitter?
     
Laminar  (op)
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Sep 23, 2015, 08:05 AM
 
Nooooooo sentenced to die here
     
Mike Wuerthele
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Sep 23, 2015, 08:56 AM
 
? iMac dead?
     
Laminar  (op)
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Sep 23, 2015, 11:39 AM
 
Thread dead.
     
reader50
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Sep 23, 2015, 11:53 AM
 
He's worried the thread won't get enough readers, even though it's listed in two forums for the next 29 days.

It was started in the Lounge for traffic purposes.
     
Laminar  (op)
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Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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Sep 23, 2015, 12:07 PM
 
Why would I be worried? Mac Desktops is absolutely bumping with activity.
     
Mike Wuerthele
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Sep 23, 2015, 01:15 PM
 
I think we're waiting on you to tell us what the problem is. Nobody really knows how it's going to go.
     
   
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