My new imac might be a dud??? (Long post-sorry!)

[peevies]

Hello All! I am a brand new "switcher" to mac. Forgive my lack of macknowledge here, but I just bought a gorgeous 20" intel imac less than a week ago and after setting it up (read all the book instructions like a dork), I pushed the magical power button and sat back, and I waited.............all I got was a black screen and a constant glow from the indicator light. Okay.....tried again.......did all the troubleshooting/keyboard/problem tips, etc. I am not familiar with the startup sound or chimes, but all this cool machine did was make a slight "woosh' sound for 1/2 a second and then same thing..black screen and steady light. Took it right back to the Apple store and the sweet salesgirl set it up and fired it up and didn't treat me like an idiot. We tested it once or twice more, and it seemed okay and I thought...."God...am I that stupid for not holding the button long enough?" It worked ok at home, I took a few photobooth shots , played some DVD's, and registered my applecare and .mac accounts. I could put it to sleep with the remote, but it wouldn't wake up with the remote or the keyboard method. Pressing the power button DID work to wake it up. I left it asleep for 1 and 1/2 days. Today, it all started again. The helpful Applecare tech worked with me for 40 minutes while we tried everything until I heard the fan come on SUPERLOUD for the first time, but no desktop still. He told me it must be a hardware issue and I could return or replace it at the Apple store. I absolutely want a replacement. I am so bummed. I didn't do a thing yet with this machine and don't even have DSL yet (that is on the way) Sound like a hardware issue deserving of a replacement? Got the machine with original 512 RAM...none added yet. I am hoping the Apple store will be as good about this as they seem to be. I am planning to return it tomorrow night. Any similar experiences out there or info? I have been reading this board for a few weeks and value the info from other members. Hope for a happy ending!!!!

 

[calebjohnston]

If the computer doesn't turn on from the start, then it is a 'dud'. Unfortunately, not every computer leaves the factory flawless, as is the case with any technology.

Don't let this discourage you from macs, they're incredible. Just get it replaced and start enjoying .

 

[peevies]

I think it does have a problem. I wish I knew what a normal startup looks and sounds like. This can't be right! The imac worked long enough for me to see a few things. I watched some DVD's on the 20 inch screen and thought it was outstanding! I have been in awe of my nephew's mac laptop for a year now. He is a musician who travels and brings this incredible diary of pictures and clips with him every major holiday that I see him. I became so intriqued with the mac. I have been reading all about it and decided I would love the imac. I am very open to switching and I still think Apple makes high quality products. Too bad I must have gotten one with a defect. I just hope getting a replacement is not difficult. I can't wait to learn how to use it. The mac for Dummies book is on my bday list just in case. I think the store will be helpful, it just stinks that my first mac ever didn't work quite right. It really didn't want to power up out of the box like I expected. Maybe I will have a better one in 24 hours. Thanks! Peevies

 

[calebjohnston]

No problem, and don't worry. The operating system is extremely easy to figure out. Any questions you have, feel free to ask anyone in here.

 

[peevies]

Thanks again........still want a mac! I may post later on the replacement status. I appreciate the encouragement and advice. Peevies

 

[Laser47]

I think it does have a problem. I wish I knew what a normal startup looks and sounds like.

It sounds like this http://www.whitwell.ndo.co.uk/musicthing/sounds/macstartup.mp3
And Looks Like This, (although in this picture the spinny thing at the bottom has not loaded up yet)

Anyways, good luck with your imac and congratulations on switching and welcome to MacRumors.

 

[EricNau]

I don't think you should have any problems getting a replacement if you bring it back to the Apple Store within 14 days (this is their policy for iPods).

After 14 days they might try to fix it instead.

 

[peevies]

Well, good news! The Apple Store let me exchange my imac. I have read other posts from people saying they had to get replacements and I got the impression Apple is very good about these things, but I felt horrible walking in there and saying..."Uh, duh....this imac won't turn on and won't wake up either most of the time after I took it home...can you gimme a new one?" My husband and I had packed it up and drove it 20-30 miles to the store and just imagined that some loose connection or something would jiggle into place again and it would work fine when the store staff fired it up. Well, sure enough, the store guy took it into the back and returned and said "I turned it on and it works." We were like...."NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" " I SWEAR it was dead 20 times when I tried to turn it on!" He went back twice and kept telling us it worked (which I am sure it did...it was an intermittent problem. Of course at Apple Store= works/ Home=doesn't work) The last time he returned I said "When I put it to sleep, it won't wake up if I try the remote or keyboard like it is supposed to". Thank God he tried it and said he couldn't wake it up either and we got a new one. The replacement seems to work better and really starts up differently than the other one did. It was not smooth before , and looking at a black screen 35 out of 40 startups was not normal! I am very pleased with the Apple Store and I love this imac. It is replacing an 8 year old PC using dial-up. I look forward to using this cool imac w/ DSL and all the fun stuff everyone here must already enjoy. I was so worried about seeming like a weasel, and I especially feared they couldn't duplicate the problem at the store and I'd have a less-than-perfect mac. I knew it was better than that first one....I never lost faith in the product. Thanks for the replies! Peevies

 

[EricNau]

Glad you got it working... you're going to love it.

 

[Elle]

Glad you got a replacement! We had a problem with my our power going out everytime my husband adjusted the screen.

I mentioned to him when I was setting it up that I didn't think the plug was in all the way, but I didn't want to force it. Turns out I had not plugged it in fully. Problem solved!