Alu iMac screen issue

[MST]

I recently purchased a 20" iMac from the UK Apple refurb store, due to having been so busy at work and needing to have a good clear out before installing the new iMac it had remained in its box until early this afternoon. So I unboxed the unit, removed the stock 1GB RAM and replaced it with 4GB RAM from OWC, connected it and fired it up for the first time.

All seemed to be going well until I noticed a flicker on the screen; it seemed to happen every now and then and I can only describe it as an intermittent flicker which at times appeared to be a grey flash. I continued using the system for a while until the display flickered again but instead of returning to its normal state it froze with a grey hue and became pixelated [note it was not the system that froze, it was still functioning], though it then returned to normal after several minutes.

I contacted Apple Technical Support who had me do a number of things including removing 1 of the 2GB sticks and downloading and installing the iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0, the guy at Apple [who was really helpful BTW] then said to just wait and see if the fault re-occurred, and unfortunately it did. I contacted Technical Support a second time and they have now told me to take it to my local Apple Authorized Service Provider who fortunately are local to me.

Is this normal? I was expecting them to tell me to send the unit in for repair. Has anyone else suffered a similar problem? The fact that it is an intermittent fault is what concerns me the most, what if the fault doesn't present itself whilst at the Service Provider?

 

[NorCalLights]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A93 Safari/419.3)

Apple usually suggests that you bring your computer to a store to get it fixed. That way they can get it back to you faster than shipping it around. Most apple stores are very good about replacing parts, even if they can't replicate the problem themselves, at least I'm my experience. I suspect that they will change out a number of parts before they give it back to you.

 

[shoulin333]

recently? as in within 15 days?


if so demand a replacement

 

[MST]

Well here in the UK it's 14 calendar days from the date of delivery, the unit was delivered on the 27/01 so that means tomorrow 10/02 is day 14; I guess I could call them tomorrow and ask [or demand] for a replacement, I'm just wondering whether I will be able to as it says the number to call for returns is only open Monday to Friday, in that case where do I stand?

On the other hand I'm not averse to having it repaired, as long as it is in full working order afterwards as I've already grown quite attached to it, thank God I'll still have my MB to tide me over

EDIT: Scratch that, I actually ordered it on 23/01 and received it the next day, so it looks as though it's a repair for me.

 

[MST]

Ok so having contacted 2 Apple Service Providers and being informed that the turnaround time is likely to be 2-3 weeks I got back on the phone to Apple and explained the situation to a very helpful agent called Paulo, he listened to what I had to say; the fact that I had only begun using the machine on Saturday and that if it went to a Service Provider I'd be without a machine for 2-3 weeks. He asked me to hold on whilst he contacted sales about a replacement, and then transferred me to a very nice Irish lady called Fiona who said she was going to send me a returns authorization and arrange a replacement, and by the sound of it I'm going to be getting a brand new unit (fingers crossed)

Now I'm just waiting for the RA number and TNT to contact me to arrange collection, result

 

[MrT8064]

oh thats cool!

i have a slight flicker on mine, and i am to scared to get the screen replaced, because i am sure they will allow dust into the machine!!!