iMac freeze

[Znowness]

Hey i bought a used iMac from my friend last year, we're talking bout a 6,1 generation bought in 2007.

Since a month ago ive been experiencing some problems with my mac, i dont know if its just because its old or what the hell is happening.

My iMac freezes when i tend to use something that uses the graphic card(multiple itunes videos, webcam sessions or media players).

Sometimes i get green stripes across the screen and sometimes it goes to a freeze-mode where i can move the mouse but nothing responds to my clicks(no bathball)

The only way i can close it is to hold down the powerbutton.

I was wondering if it could be my temperature and watched istat

do theese numbers seem alarming to any of you?

HD: Macintosh 50 c
CPU: 42 c
Ambient: 25 c
GPU: 53 c
GPU Diode: 61 c
GPU Heatsink: 52 c
HD bay: 50 c
Optical drive: 44 c

 

[Tomorrow]

It sounds like a problem with the video adapter. Any idea which one it's using?

You might have to take it in for service.

 

[Znowness]

Re:

How do i find out what Video adapter it is using? is it inside the computer?

Ya im thinking that might be the solution... Cause i tried regulating the fan speeds and it helped obviously by cooling down my computer, but it doesnt seem to help with the problem, was wondering if the vent was filled with dirt and wanted to clean it.

How much would it cost me to send it in for service, the guarantee is obviously not there anymore, and dont kno if it pays off.

 

[Tomorrow]

How do i find out what Video adapter it is using? is it inside the computer?

On the Menu Bar, click the Apple Logo, then About This Mac, then More Info. On the left hand side, click Graphics/Displays. Then, on the right, it will say Chipset Model or something like that.

 

[Znowness]

NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT...

Would i have to open my to clean the vent?

Btw, i put in 2Gb extra RAM so that is def not the problem

 

[biggd]

NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT...

Would i have to open my to clean the vent?

Btw, i put in 2Gb extra RAM so that is def not the problem

It could be bad ram. If ur issues happened after u added ram, take the ram out and test.
Your freezing sounds like a harddrive issue. But if u get green lines, could be a board problem.

 

[Znowness]

Problem was there before the new RAM and is still there... Althought i have noticed a slight improvement with adjusting the fan-speeds...

 

[Trimmer]

Known issue ?

Hi Znowness - sounds like you are having the exact same issues as numerous others with version 6.1 iMacs ... I have the 24" and have been onto support over the issue fir almost a year ... They say it is not a known issue but there are literally hundreds of people that have the same issue ANC most appear tohavd contacted apple about it. Their solution is to replace the logic board at a cost of 659 euros - when I pointed out that it was an obvious manufacturing fault they said (I paraphrase) we will not replace it unless you take us to court - so guess what ...

Keeping the machine ultra cool and switching on SMC fan control to max might give you some extra time but not much - the issue gets worse and worse particularly on high graphics demand programs

 

[ratherbfishn]

How does one do this?: "switching on SMC fan control to max"

I have the same freeze up problems as previously described. My approx. 5 yr old machine is a:

Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac5,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.16 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM51.0090.B09
SMC Version (system): 1.9f4

ATI Radeon X1600:

Chipset Model: ATY,RadeonX1600
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 128 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x71c5
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-xxxxxx-139
EFI Driver Version: 01.00.139
Displays:
iMac:
Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Built-In: Yes
Display Connector:
Status: No Display Connected

I've replaced a failed hard drive with a 1T Seagate and the ram with 4GB. I had these same problems with the original hard drive and ram. The reliability is getting worse and worse. I can watch about 10 minutes of Hulu video before it either freezes, has a blank screen and skipping sound track, or shuts down. I'm backing up stuff constantly because I never know when it's going to freeze/shut down. Got the green lines too. Is there a simple fix or is it time for a new computer? I've run YASU with no improvement.

Thanks

 

[sbeezy]

There was a recall on this. I had the exact problem in my old iMac. It's a flaw in the graphics card. Not sure if your machine is covered, but there was a recall on this issue. I had an older iMac where the graphics card was attached to the logic board and the only replacement was to replace the logic board for about $800.

My advice, make an appointment with a Genius and have them confirm it. I took my machine in several times to show due diligence. However, they never offered to replace my machine or repair it under the recall. I called Mac Customer Support and explained the situation and mentioned other people having the exact same issue even though their machine was not covered under the recall. The guy was nice enough and acknowledged even though it's not covered the symptoms were the same. He provided a Repair Authorization code to take to the store and they replaced the logic board for free.

Reasons like that is why I never hesitated on buying another Mac. I did pay for AppleCare this time around though since iMacs are a nightmare to work on yourself.