Brand New 20 inch iMac overheating.

[hingedshinobi]

I'm on my second iMac in a week (my first one decided that it didn't want to turn on anymore) and I'm having a serious problem with overheating. Whenever I burn a cd or read from a cd (for example, installing windows xp) the machine shuts down with no warning or anything. I assume it's overheating because, well I can't see any other reason for it do this. The disks are hot as well when I eject them.

I'm really considering getting rid of this iMac and switching back to Windows, after just singing the iMacs praises in another thread. These are also my first ever iMac's and they haven't made a very good impression. When it works it's incredable, however I'm on my second one because of stupid problems with them.

Anyone had any experience with this before and know how to fix it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bluebomberman]

I wouldn't rule out overheating, but virtually every iMac in the past three years spits out fiery hot discs when you're done with it (including the original iMac G5 I'm typing on right now).

My uneducated guess is that the spinning CD drive doesn't generate enough heat to cause your computer to burn up. That said, you can probably download some kind of diagnostic software to gauge your computer's temp. Intel users, any suggestions?

 

[hingedshinobi]

I wouldn't rule out overheating, but virtually every iMac in the past three years spits out fiery hot discs when you're done with it (including the original iMac G5 I'm typing on right now).

My uneducated guess is that the spinning CD drive doesn't generate enough heat to cause your computer to burn up. That said, you can probably download some kind of diagnostic software to gauge your computer's temp. Intel users, any suggestions?

I've got some iStat thing I just downloaded and all the temperatures seem normal. If there isn't a disk being read or written to then it's fine.

 

[EricNau]

Call up Apple again.

Don't give up!

 

[WarMace]

Download iStat Pro. It's a widget that will give you readouts of all your temp sensors as well as fan speeds to make sure they are running. At an ambient temp of 32C my 20" has no problems with overheating.

 

[bluebomberman]

I've got some iStat thing I just downloaded and all the temperatures seem normal. If there isn't a disk being read or written to then it's fine.

So put a disk in and check the temps. Do you see the mercury rise?

 

[oduinnin]

Overheating??

Is the computer overheating or is it just the newbie operator?

This is just anecdotal, but, in reading post after post in this forum, what I observe is new switchers having the most trouble with "defective" iMacs, which they return one after the next!

C'mon, are you sure you're not doing something in a certain Windoz way (because that's what you know), that just isn't the Mac OS X way?

I have a new 24" iMac (see my sig) and a 1-1/2 year old MacBook Pro. Both units run hot in one area where the fans exhaust. The iMac is especially hot in the upper left hand corner where the plastic back meets the aluminum. It cools down pretty fast as you move away from that area. You will notice a vent near the top extending across 80% of the unit width. I'm quite sure this is intentionally designed to move heat away from vital components. So, yes, this area will be hot to the touch. Remember, Apple is world renowned for their industrial engineering & design.

As for the XP install disk feeling hot when removed, how long was it spinning either loading or trying to load Win XP? If it didn't actually load, which I suspect from your original post, it's likely just hot from spinning so long. Check this disk on a PC that you know works, just to be sure you don't have a bad disk. This is way more likely then a bad drive or some Apple iMac hardware issue.

Also, read the Apple support site literature on loading Windows using Boot Camp.

 

[kheller2]

There have been a few posts about the new iMacs just turning off. I think one of the folks managed to get theirs stable by putting their iMac on a different house circuit. There could very well be a PS issue with these.

It also could be a loose cord on the back of the mac, or user error -- I've seen it -- certain keystroke that is set to power shutdown.

however, they don't usually just turn off.

People hate this but, this is a REV 1.0 product. Ask any original iMac G5 owner what that means and how the product progressed in the next two revisions.

If you want a very stable top of the line iMac I suggest you locate that last of the white iMacs that came off the line. Otherwise, have Apple replace your new machine. They are very open to doing so to make you happy.

 

[bluebomberman]

Ask any original iMac G5 owner what that means and how the product progressed in the next two revisions.

Don't ask me. It can't sleep properly anymore, but otherwise it's as good as it was 3 years ago.

None of the usual "Rev. A or Rev not-A" banter helps the OP...

 

[HLdan]

There have been a few posts about the new iMacs just turning off. I think one of the folks managed to get theirs stable by putting their iMac on a different house circuit. There could very well be a PS issue with these.

It also could be a loose cord on the back of the mac, or user error -- I've seen it -- certain keystroke that is set to power shutdown.

however, they don't usually just turn off.

People hate this but, this is a REV 1.0 product. Ask any original iMac G5 owner what that means and how the product progressed in the next two revisions.

If you want a very stable top of the line iMac I suggest you locate that last of the white iMacs that came off the line. Otherwise, have Apple replace your new machine. They are very open to doing so to make you happy.

It's not a Rev A product. It's actually Rev C. The new iMacs are the 3rd version of the Intel based iMacs. New keyboard and aluminum design with a glossy screen doesn't make it Rev A.
It would only be Rev A if Apple has completely redesigned the iMac.

To the OP, I have never experienced a shut down on my new iMac and I suggest 2 things for you.
One, do a complete erase, reformat and install on your iMac. Secondly, download smc fan control. It will tell you the temp on your iMac as well as allowing you to adjust the fan speeds to maintain a cooler machine. Usually 100-140℉ is the temperature that's normal.

You have to use reasonable common sense, the iMac has a very thin enclosure with a mixture of desktop and notebook components which produce heat.
Sorry but this, "I will go back to Windows" threat is getting old. If you want a Mac use a Mac, you are not doing us a favor using a Mac and you are not being realistic if you think Windows machines don't experience excessive heat.

Too many of my Vista and XP friends complain all the time about their new PC's overheating when it's normal.

 

[kheller2]

It's not a Rev A product. It's actually Rev C. The new iMacs are the 3rd version of the Intel based iMacs. New keyboard and aluminum design with a glossy screen doesn't make it Rev A.
It would only be Rev A if Apple has completely redesigned the iMac.

Right.. what makes it a rev A is the brand new designed motherboard and chipset. sheesh.

To the OP, take it to Apple.

 

[rainydays]

It's not a Rev A product. It's actually Rev C. The new iMacs are the 3rd version of the Intel based iMacs. New keyboard and aluminum design with a glossy screen doesn't make it Rev A.
It would only be Rev A if Apple has completely redesigned the iMac.

Actually the model version is 7,1 which makes it "Rev A". But you are right that not a whole lot has changed from the white iMac.

 

[HLdan]

Right.. what makes it a rev A is the brand new designed motherboard and chipset. sheesh.

To the OP, take it to Apple.

We can agree to disagree in a friendly manner but generally a speed bump with a new chipset and motherboard does not quantify a Rev A.

 

[gazelleintense]

my macs been on most of the day with a few sleep times..

here are my temps to give you something to compare to.

 

[AlexisV]

Whenever I burn a cd or read from a cd (for example, installing windows xp) the machine shuts down with no warning or anything. I assume it's overheating because, well I can't see any other reason for it do this. The disks are hot as well when I eject them.

Tell us more. If you just start OS X, put in a CD and copy all the contents across to the desktop, does it restart?

 

[Jimmdean]

I wouldn't consider it a true Revision "A" either. It's really just an enhancement of the previous design...

As for the actual problem, have you run the Apple Hardware test from the install DVD? That should be your next step...

 

[mrgreen4242]

Right.. what makes it a rev A is the brand new designed motherboard and chipset. sheesh.

To the OP, take it to Apple.

Plus it's in a new case which is thinner and a different material, meaning they likely had to redesign the entire cooling system, which is a huge part of Rev A problems for iMacs in particular.

 

[JunBug119]

i'm at work so i can't check my imac. i know the new imac vents the warm air out from the top of the monitor but where are the vents to "suck" in the air? is it somewhere on the back or along the bottom edge?

 

[hingedshinobi]

Is the computer overheating or is it just the newbie operator?

This is just anecdotal, but, in reading post after post in this forum, what I observe is new switchers having the most trouble with "defective" iMacs, which they return one after the next!

C'mon, are you sure you're not doing something in a certain Windoz way (because that's what you know), that just isn't the Mac OS X way?

I have a new 24" iMac (see my sig) and a 1-1/2 year old MacBook Pro. Both units run hot in one area where the fans exhaust. The iMac is especially hot in the upper left hand corner where the plastic back meets the aluminum. It cools down pretty fast as you move away from that area. You will notice a vent near the top extending across 80% of the unit width. I'm quite sure this is intentionally designed to move heat away from vital components. So, yes, this area will be hot to the touch. Remember, Apple is world renowned for their industrial engineering & design.

As for the XP install disk feeling hot when removed, how long was it spinning either loading or trying to load Win XP? If it didn't actually load, which I suspect from your original post, it's likely just hot from spinning so long. Check this disk on a PC that you know works, just to be sure you don't have a bad disk. This is way more likely then a bad drive or some Apple iMac hardware issue.

Also, read the Apple support site literature on loading Windows using Boot Camp.

First of all, read my post before you comment about it. Whilst burning an image to a disk using disk utility the machine shuts off. Whilst reading from the disk drive the machine shuts off. Obviously this must be me being a mac newbie, I must be turning it off myself. Get real.

It is a bad drive, I've tried dozens of other disks, and all of the other computers in my house (thats 5).

@HLdan- It's hardly a threat, I'm taking this mac back getting a refund and buying a new Windows machine, it's a fact not at threat. I bought a mac because I was sick of my old Windows machine and fancied a change, I've had 2 iMacs in less than a week and I've had problems with both so I can't be arsed to buy another one.

@AlexisV- Yeah if I do any disk heavy work it shuts off.


Just because most of you haven't had problems with an iMac doesn't mean that problems don't happen. Maybe the WestQuay shop got an unlucky batch, there were a few other macs being returned when I last went in there.

Thanks to those who actually tried to help me.

 

[dedaelus]

good luck

I was one of the other folks with a 20" iMac that kept shutting down when it would read from a CD. I spent some time on the phone with Apple Care and then took it to the Genius Bar, where it proceeded to act perfectly. Once I got it back home, it would not even start when I plugged it into the same outlet on my surge protector... when I switched outlets it worked perfectly and has ever since.

Not saying that there is no problem with any of them, of course, but that's what happened with mine.

 

[mrgreen4242]

@HLdan- It's hardly a threat, I'm taking this mac back getting a refund and buying a new Windows machine, it's a fact not at threat. I bought a mac because I was sick of my old Windows machine and fancied a change, I've had 2 iMacs in less than a week and I've had problems with both so I can't be arsed to buy another one.

Thanks to those who actually tried to help me.

Well, their help was clearly in vain. You're returning a whole machine (for refund, not repair/replacement) and giving up on an entire OS/platform because of a bad optical drive? Cry me a river! You think no Windows box has ever had a bad drive?

My first iMac (second OSX Mac) had a bum harddrive - failed completely after about 15 days. I got a new one send to me and went on with my life, I didn't throw a hissy on MacRumors and return the computer over it, blaming Apple for all my woes.

My point is that if you want to return it because you got a bum optical drive, do it, but don't waste a bunch of peoples' time here and blame Apple for it. You haven't even given them a chance to fix it! Have you called AppleCare? Have you visited an Apple Store? By all means, though, go back to Windows/Dell/Generic PC's and I'm sure you'll get 100% issue free hardware for the rest of your life.

 

[hingedshinobi]

Well, their help was clearly in vain. You're returning a whole machine (for refund, not repair/replacement) and giving up on an entire OS/platform because of a bad optical drive? Cry me a river! You think no Windows box has ever had a bad drive?

My first iMac (second OSX Mac) had a bum harddrive - failed completely after about 15 days. I got a new one send to me and went on with my life, I didn't throw a hissy on MacRumors and return the computer over it, blaming Apple for all my woes.

My point is that if you want to return it because you got a bum optical drive, do it, but don't waste a bunch of peoples' time here and blame Apple for it. You haven't even given them a chance to fix it! Have you called AppleCare? Have you visited an Apple Store? By all means, though, go back to Windows/Dell/Generic PC's and I'm sure you'll get 100% issue free hardware for the rest of your life.

No, when did I ever say that Windows has never had a bad drive? If a Windows machine has a bad drive I can just buy a new one, problem solved. With this I have to travel 45 minutes to have some guy play with it for a bit and probably tell me it's fine, no thanks, I'd rather it worked like it should in the first place.

Yeah, I'm quite obviously blaming apple for all my woes, the fact that I've bought 2 of their products in less than a week and both have not worked as they should do is all my woes isn't it.

How am I wasting peoples time here, you all chose to come into this thread and post. I only started the thread to see if other people had the problem and see if anybody had any idea how to fix it. I've called apple and they said I could get a refund or a replacement by taking it to the store I bought it from.

You seem to have jumped to the conclusion that I think Windows machines are problem free. They are, quite obviously not. If I had his problem on a Windows machine I'd just buy a new drive, or a new fan.

I love the elitist attitude some of you guys have, but I'm pretty sure that if you had to faulty products from a company you'd be a little annoyed about it as well. Sorry I forgot apple makes perfect products.

 

[m03bius]

wow

its his money why do you guys have to give him such a hard time if he isn't happy with his product and wants a refund?

 

[mrgreen4242]

No, when did I ever say that Windows has never had a bad drive? If a Windows machine has a bad drive I can just buy a new one, problem solved. With this I have to travel 45 minutes to have some guy play with it for a bit and probably tell me it's fine, no thanks, I'd rather it worked like it should in the first place.

Yeah, I'm quite obviously blaming apple for all my woes, the fact that I've bought 2 of their products in less than a week and both have not worked as they should do is all my woes isn't it.

How am I wasting peoples time here, you all chose to come into this thread and post. I only started the thread to see if other people had the problem and see if anybody had any idea how to fix it. I've called apple and they said I could get a refund or a replacement by taking it to the store I bought it from.

You seem to have jumped to the conclusion that I think Windows machines are problem free. They are, quite obviously not. If I had his problem on a Windows machine I'd just buy a new drive, or a new fan.

I love the elitist attitude some of you guys have, but I'm pretty sure that if you had to faulty products from a company you'd be a little annoyed about it as well. Sorry I forgot apple makes perfect products.

I'm not being elitist. It's annoying that you came here for "help" and when people made an effort to help you figure out what was wrong you pretty much ignored them and said you were going to return it, even though Apple has offered to replace it for you without any hassle.

You have to understand that the iMac is for all intents and purposes a laptop. If you had a laptop with a bad drive or a bad fan, you'd pretty much have to just take it back and have it replaced or repaired.

Sucks that you got a bum part in your iMac, but don't come to an Mac users site, ask for suggestions, and then just decide that since you'd have to have it repaired/replaced free of charge by Apple that it's inferior.

its his money why do you guys have to give him such a hard time if he isn't happy with his product and wants a refund?

I don't care if he wants a refund, but if he was going to just return it anyways why bother coming here and asking for help? He called Apple and got the answer already: it's defected, bring it in and exchange it or we'll replace it for you. It doesn't get any better than that, imo. No wait, no shipping crap back and forth, just go back to where you bought it and get a new one or your money back.

 

[hingedshinobi]

I'm not being elitist. It's annoying that you came here for "help" and when people made an effort to help you figure out what was wrong you pretty much ignored them and said you were going to return it, even though Apple has offered to replace it for you without any hassle.

You have to understand that the iMac is for all intents and purposes a laptop. If you had a laptop with a bad drive or a bad fan, you'd pretty much have to just take it back and have it replaced or repaired.

Sucks that you got a bum part in your iMac, but don't come to an Mac users site, ask for suggestions, and then just decide that since you'd have to have it repaired/replaced free of charge by Apple that it's inferior.



I don't care if he wants a refund, but if he was going to just return it anyways why bother coming here and asking for help? He called Apple and got the answer already: it's defected, bring it in and exchange it or we'll replace it for you. It doesn't get any better than that, imo. No wait, no shipping crap back and forth, just go back to where you bought it and get a new one or your money back.

I did try the suggestions before I finally decided to take it back. I love it when it works, but I feel quite disappointed how everyone praises apple and some people in this thread were like no nothing ever goes wrong with a mac and I somehow end up with problems with both macs that I've had.