iMAC 27" hardware problem

[Arxondas]

Hello all,

I'm new to this site but I found it very good from the first time I saw it.
So I decided to make my first post about 2 problems I have with my iMAC 27" (model late 2009), Intel core 2 duo 3.06, 4GB, 1T HDD, ATi 4670 256 ram (iMAC is out of warranty now).

First in the last 4-5 days my iMAC was getting really hot and I could hear the fans working very loud. I made an apple hardware test and I get the result :
4MOT/4/40000003:HDD-1353. I made the test 3-4 times and I get the same result and only the last 4 digits change each time. Is that means that the HDD have a problem and I need to replace it ?

Second I have lost the original disks that came with the iMAC So if I need to make a clean install of the operating system, take a backup image booting with the disk and use the disk utilities and if i replace the HDD how I can reinstall the OS.

any advise that can help me solve my problems are welcome

Thanks

 

[laserbeam273]

I suspect that it's not the actual hard drive that's the problem, but the connections to it. Wait for someone more experienced to reply first though.

You've got a back up right?

 

[Arxondas]

Thanks for the replay,

I got a backup of everything I need in a usb HDD.

 

[S.B.G]

How hot is "really hot"? Is it staying hot all the time or only when you're using it and taxing it heavy?

As for the install discs, you'll need to contact Apple and see if they will send you a new one for your specific machine or you will have to buy a new OS disc.

 

[Arxondas]

Maybe I didn't explain it correctly

I mean that I can hear the fans working more loud and making noise
doing the same work (e.g watching a movie) and this started the last 4-5
days. Thats why i made the apple hardware test.

The iMAC is hot all the time I had it but never (until now) had a problem
with fan noise.

 

[S.B.G]

OK, but how hot is hot? Be specific and post your temps and fan speeds. What is the iMac's temp and fan noise like when it is idle (not doing anything and no apps open)?

 

[Arxondas]

If I'm not doing anything and none application open I have :

Temperature:
HDD : 55 C
CPU : 52 C
GPU DIODE : 55 C
GPU HEATSINK : 53 C
MEM CONTROLLER : 57 C
NORTHBRIDGE : 81 C
OPTICAL DRIVE : 51 C
POWER SUPPLY 62 C

Fans:
Optical drive : 1108
Hard drive : 1390
CPU Fan : 1047

got the from istats pro.


I will post stats little later when I can hear the fans loud.

 

[S.B.G]

Those temps and fan speeds are normal. When your fans are loud, be sure to post the same specifications and which apps are running and what they're doing.

 

[Arxondas]

ok..
my kid played a game for about 1 hour (a simple game like tetris)
after that I was watching a movie from the DVD and I started to hear the
fans loud so I took the following :

Temperature:
HDD : 58 C
CPU : 48 C
GPU DIODE : 65 C
GPU HEATSINK : 63 C
MEM CONTROLLER : 58 C
NORTHBRIDGE : 70 C
OPTICAL DRIVE : 55 C
POWER SUPPLY 65 C

Fans:
Optical drive : 1300
Hard drive : 1599
CPU Fan : 3602

got the from istats pro.

 

[S.B.G]

Your temps are normal, and probably because you were watching video the CPU fan was spinning quickly, but not out of the ordinary. That is typical when watching a DVD or video stream.

 

[MacHamster68]

typical? yes for the alu iMac's


so i stick to my old core duo iMac which is total silent, fans idling all day and night no matter what i do even online hd content , what i use the iMac for actually as HTPC not a single rpm faster despite a velociraptor 600gb 10000rpm drive which actually is cooler then the original 7200rpm drive @just 45 degree , but i clean the iMac inside of all dust regular every 3 -4month , cleaning inside is a must at the very least once a year , even if you would live in a clean dust free environment , you will wonder how clocked up these iMac's get and they dont have a warning light like some vacuum cleaners when they are full

so as yours is from 2009 and possibly has never been cleaned inside its about time .....

 

[skypekid]

4MOT/4/40000003:HDD-1353 code means there is a problem with the fan on the mother board.

I just have had similar problem with my iMac 27. The Applecare service came to fix the fan and the Apple hardware test went with no problem at all.

Call for hardware service, my advise.

TO lower the temperature, if you wish, reduce the brightness of the display. I reduce to half of the brightest one and the heat never appears again.

But the bigger problem for my iMac is that it freezes randomly. Sometimes it freezes after my iMac is on for 2 days, sometimes for just half day, sometimes longer... Do you have freeze problem?

Applecare came two times trying to replace the logic board, but the logic board they brought even did not work at all! I suspect there is a serious problem for the iMac 27 product line.

 

[iDutchman]

Hmm. I am by all means no expert but I find it a little strange. Here are my temperatures and fans speeds after watching a .mkv 1080 movie

 

[Drewbie]

if the internal temp sensor is providing an inaccurate reading then your fans will run a lot higher to either compensate for something that could possibly not be a problem...

has your computer shutoff from overheating at all?

you could try SMC fan control and force the fans to run at a normal speed and watch the temps and see if they climb..