iMac 2009 fan spinning issue

[Robertus]

Hello

I have a late 2009 iMac system running under El Captain OS. I have noticed the fan(s) spinning too fast, encountered screen flickering dark a few times and I checked with this app smcFanControl and this is what I got:

ODD 4340-4350 rpm (variably; this is normal or abnormal?)
HDD 1099-1100 rpm
CPU 3797 rpm
129 degree C (264 degree F)​

I'm deaf, though I can feel the spinning breeze from the back of my iMac, I cannot tell how loud the spinning is.

I tried SMC reset but I don't know that resolve anything.

Should I update the iMac OS to Sierra?

 

[Juicy Box]

I think your model was one of the ones with the GPU failure issue.

I wonder if that is the problem you are having?

 

[Robertus]

I think your model was one of the ones with the GPU failure issue.

I wonder if that is the problem you are having?

Yikes. How can I tell if I have a GPU failure?

FYI: I have a 21.5" model, not the 27".

 

[Juicy Box]

Yikes. How can I tell if I have a GPU failure?

FYI: I have a 21.5" model, not the 27".

Usually from the symptoms.

You can try the Apple HW Diagnostic Test, but I have found this to be very unreliable, as I had a few Mac with HW issues fully pass the extended test. It wouldn't hurt though.

Actually, I have a Mid-2011 iMac that I believe has the GPU issue that passed the HW test with the a bunch of GPU artifacts on the screen during the test. I plan on replacing the GPU if I can find one cheap enough.

The good news is that the GPU is actually replaceable, but they are still really expensive depending on the one you are looking for.

One of the potential causes of the GPU issue could be heat, and replacing the HDD with a SSD would not only cool things down, but the SSD would make things much more faster.

Last year, I replaced the HDD in my parents Mid-2007 with a SSD after they started to complain about the sluggishness of the iMac, and asked me for recommendations of a new computer. After the replacement, my father said that it felt like a brand new computer to him.

Anyways, maybe it isn't the GPU, but it might be worth looking into.

Maybe someone more knowledgeable about the issue can chime in.

 

[Robertus]

Usually from the symptoms.

You can try the Apple HW Diagnostic Test, but I have found this to be very unreliable, as I had a few Mac with HW issues fully pass the extended test. It wouldn't hurt though.

Actually, I have a Mid-2011 iMac that I believe has the GPU issue that passed the HW test with the a bunch of GPU artifacts on the screen during the test. I plan on replacing the GPU if I can find one cheap enough.

The good news is that the GPU is actually replaceable, but they are still really expensive depending on the one you are looking for.

One of the potential causes of the GPU issue could be heat, and replacing the HDD with a SSD would not only cool things down, but the SSD would make things much more faster.

Last year, I replaced the HDD in my parents Mid-2007 with a SSD after they started to complain about the sluggishness of the iMac, and asked me for recommendations of a new computer. After the replacement, my father said that it felt like a brand new computer to him.

Anyways, maybe it isn't the GPU, but it might be worth looking into.

Maybe someone more knowledgeable about the issue can chime in.

Thank you for your feedback. I took my iMac to an authorized Apple service place to get it look at via diagnostics. I can only wait for the tech man to let me know what are the issues. Sigh.

 

[Juicy Box]

Thank you for your feedback. I took my iMac to an authorized Apple service place to get it look at via diagnostics. I can only wait for the tech man to let me know what are the issues. Sigh.

No problem.

I actually meant the HW diagnostic test you can do yourself at home.

Anyways, let us know what happens, please!

 

[Robertus]

No problem.

I actually meant the HW diagnostic test you can do yourself at home.

Anyways, let us know what happens, please!

Hey there! I got my iMac back. Tech replaced old LCD backlight panel (which was the culprit of the problems I have, according to tech service) with an used one that has a B grade per service part ordering. They said fans were covered in dust, so they cleared it off and informed of no other issue.

I'll have to see how it's going. Thanks for your feedbacks.