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New 4850 3.06ghz iMac freezing multiple times a day.
- Thread starter Tymbo
- Start date
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Okay... I'm finally back, and am posting from my old PB g4 
I went in for my scheduled appointment at the genius bar. The genius asked me what was wrong as he began setting up my iMac on the counter while he checked my case file. He turned it on and without saying anything started scanning the white startup screen -- he was searching for the dead pixel.
By this point I had repeated the dreadful story for what feels like the 7th time.
He asked me why Apple Technical Support (from over the phone) had me take it back to them (apple store) and I told him, as I believe the notes in the case file confirmed (apple's eyes only), that the guy on the phone wanted me to take it in for the hardware/diagnostics testing.
The Genius didn't want to keep my computer. He didn't want to run the tests He claimed that with the dead pixel, it wasn't necessary. He decided to give AppleCare a call, got himself boosted to the next level, put on hold several times, and finally connected to the right person, who then wanted to speak with me. This person basically explained that I had two options... Return it with a restocking fee, or get a replacement. I chose the replacement, and he further went on to explain how I'll get an email with a fedex shipping label and directions, to take it to FedEx Kinko's and when they have confirmation FedEx has it, they will begin building my computer and send it out.
And that was pretty much it... the dead pixel in the end, which I cared LITTLE about, was the justifier of receiving a placement.
I went home, printed the shipping label, boxed up my imac (power cord, discs, mouse, keyboard,), just the way it came, and headed a mile to the nearest kinkos, and asked them to scan in while I watched.
I went home, (and right before making this post) looked up the fedex tracking number (see attachment) and the apple order status page (see attachment) I called Apple to question why the specs appeared different and why shipping seemed different. I was comforted that the second computer will have the exact same specs and that the fastest possible shipping method was chosen, and it may still take "a week to a week and a half" before I will receive my replacement.
I'm sad to say that I almost wish they kept it for the tests so that the problem could be officially acknowledged, but the apple store just did not want to keep it... they wanted me to have a replacement due to the dead pixel. I don't know if that's superb customer service or a display of laziness for not wanting to search for a cause of a problem in a brand new piece of hardware.
In a way, I'm glad, and all I can say now is that I hope that the 10.5.7 puts a fix to things for your guys' sakes. I hope the new one exhibits no problems, and when I get it, I'll be sure to run things the same way as I did the previous one, in purpose of seeing if it's a common enough problem effecting most 4850's or just the few that have expressed complaints thus far. Don't know what I'll do if it does, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
And btw, I have checked the system logs off of each triangle (those little clickable triangles that drop down more options) of the console application, but there are no crash messages.
I went in for my scheduled appointment at the genius bar. The genius asked me what was wrong as he began setting up my iMac on the counter while he checked my case file. He turned it on and without saying anything started scanning the white startup screen -- he was searching for the dead pixel.
By this point I had repeated the dreadful story for what feels like the 7th time.
He asked me why Apple Technical Support (from over the phone) had me take it back to them (apple store) and I told him, as I believe the notes in the case file confirmed (apple's eyes only), that the guy on the phone wanted me to take it in for the hardware/diagnostics testing.
The Genius didn't want to keep my computer. He didn't want to run the tests He claimed that with the dead pixel, it wasn't necessary. He decided to give AppleCare a call, got himself boosted to the next level, put on hold several times, and finally connected to the right person, who then wanted to speak with me. This person basically explained that I had two options... Return it with a restocking fee, or get a replacement. I chose the replacement, and he further went on to explain how I'll get an email with a fedex shipping label and directions, to take it to FedEx Kinko's and when they have confirmation FedEx has it, they will begin building my computer and send it out.
And that was pretty much it... the dead pixel in the end, which I cared LITTLE about, was the justifier of receiving a placement.
I went home, printed the shipping label, boxed up my imac (power cord, discs, mouse, keyboard,), just the way it came, and headed a mile to the nearest kinkos, and asked them to scan in while I watched.
I went home, (and right before making this post) looked up the fedex tracking number (see attachment) and the apple order status page (see attachment) I called Apple to question why the specs appeared different and why shipping seemed different. I was comforted that the second computer will have the exact same specs and that the fastest possible shipping method was chosen, and it may still take "a week to a week and a half" before I will receive my replacement.
I'm sad to say that I almost wish they kept it for the tests so that the problem could be officially acknowledged, but the apple store just did not want to keep it... they wanted me to have a replacement due to the dead pixel. I don't know if that's superb customer service or a display of laziness for not wanting to search for a cause of a problem in a brand new piece of hardware.
In a way, I'm glad, and all I can say now is that I hope that the 10.5.7 puts a fix to things for your guys' sakes. I hope the new one exhibits no problems, and when I get it, I'll be sure to run things the same way as I did the previous one, in purpose of seeing if it's a common enough problem effecting most 4850's or just the few that have expressed complaints thus far. Don't know what I'll do if it does, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
And btw, I have checked the system logs off of each triangle (those little clickable triangles that drop down more options) of the console application, but there are no crash messages.
Attachments
3.06 / ATI freezes sometimes, think it's not the gpu
Hey y'all,
Had mine for 2days now absolutely in love. (though I found 24" a little big... for 15 mins... Great size!)
Reinstalled mine immediately after booting the 1st time. Has been running great, running PS4, parallels, copying multiple gigabytes over Airport, etc. etc.
Then, after installing my MP3 library (>300Gb) in iTunes and playing some music with visualizations on full screen: it hung... Repeating 1sec in the song.
Used iStat pro to look what happens b4 it hangs. The GPU gets up to 70C (158F) but my main concern is the Northbridge and the powersupply. In normal use they, some apps, nothing graphical the subs. are 76C and 74C (about 169F).
Within 2 mins of iTunes with visualization on full screen, the powersupply heats up to 81C (181F) This to me seems quite a lot.
Any thoughts?
Hey y'all,
Had mine for 2days now absolutely in love. (though I found 24" a little big... for 15 mins... Great size!)
Reinstalled mine immediately after booting the 1st time. Has been running great, running PS4, parallels, copying multiple gigabytes over Airport, etc. etc.
Then, after installing my MP3 library (>300Gb) in iTunes and playing some music with visualizations on full screen: it hung... Repeating 1sec in the song.
Used iStat pro to look what happens b4 it hangs. The GPU gets up to 70C (158F) but my main concern is the Northbridge and the powersupply. In normal use they, some apps, nothing graphical the subs. are 76C and 74C (about 169F).
Within 2 mins of iTunes with visualization on full screen, the powersupply heats up to 81C (181F) This to me seems quite a lot.
Any thoughts?
Maybe they dit it because they already acknowledged the problem and the dead pixel was only the excuse wthout having to admit the freezing problem ..
We'll see ..
I hope the replacement to be problem FREE
I have had my Imac for 3 days now (3.06 / ATI 4850) and have experienced the freezes as described 4-5 times. No apparent specific app, Its happened when playing x-plane, browsing Safari, watching DVD.
Yep, I couldn't agree more. It could be months into the iMac's product cycle before this situation is resolved, so it may be worth waiting.
Bryan
I just pulled the trigger on a 2.93 w/4850 last night. I saw this thread but was hoping it would be worked out by the time mine arrived. I guess if it is I still have old faithful that I'm using now.
Everybody's best hope atm is for 10.5.7 to be the magical fix. If not, I'm going to feel bad ;(
if it's hardware overheating issue, then i doubt 10.5.7 would fix that without sacrificing processing power by downclocking some of the hardware.
the funny thing is that i was ready to order my first mac (the 3.06 w/ 4850) few days ago, and then i saw this thread. doesn't make me feel good about apple, especially after reading how long it took them to correct the nvidia issue.
then again, it's not really a surprise. my iphone 3g developed a large hairline crack in the casing which many have experienced in the past. i'm still debating if i should replace it or not since i'm running 2.2 firmware on it which can probably fetch decent money on ebay if i decide to sell it to someone who might want to unlock it.
edit: just went over to apple's website, and it looks like people are having the same issue over there as well (some might be members of this forum):
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1977351&tstart=15
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1978213&tstart=0
I almost posted my issue on their forum, but it appears that MR has more traffic/activity than Apple's official discussion forums.
BioShock hung once, fallout 3, flight sim, aperture no problem
I got my ATI iMac on Friday. I have since played Eve Online and used Aperturea a lot. No problems at all on the OSX side. As I mentioned in the blog I started detailing my gaming and multi monitor stuff, I have only ran into one hang and that was under boot camp and BioShock. My other games are just fine. I did have that one screen sleep problem though.
--greg.
http://atothe420k.blogspot.com
I got my ATI iMac on Friday. I have since played Eve Online and used Aperturea a lot. No problems at all on the OSX side. As I mentioned in the blog I started detailing my gaming and multi monitor stuff, I have only ran into one hang and that was under boot camp and BioShock. My other games are just fine. I did have that one screen sleep problem though.
--greg.
http://atothe420k.blogspot.com
Is there anyone here who received their new iMac + 4850 and have it not freeze? Just curious if there is a "good batch" of new iMacs. I'm still waiting to get mine, but I'm hoping it's not a issue on all the models with 4850.
I did get a freeze ONCE before my first update but did not get anymore problems with my mac.
Its just fantastic. WoW at Ultra setting is so smooth....
I set up my Imac ATI 4850 yesterday. I didn't proceed any new installation with the CD given. Just let it run as it was installed by default.
Did a couple of things during 4 hours, browsing safari, checking mails, installing new applications, chating with messenger for mac, playing HD videos, import CD in itunes and playing some of them.
Did not get any freeze so far. I will proceed to bootcamp today's evening and try to play some high performance demanding games through windows xp. I will report here if i see any freeze.
BTW, what is the advantage to do a fresh installation ? Isn't the system supposed to be very clean from the start with mac default installation ?
Did a couple of things during 4 hours, browsing safari, checking mails, installing new applications, chating with messenger for mac, playing HD videos, import CD in itunes and playing some of them.
Did not get any freeze so far. I will proceed to bootcamp today's evening and try to play some high performance demanding games through windows xp. I will report here if i see any freeze.
BTW, what is the advantage to do a fresh installation ? Isn't the system supposed to be very clean from the start with mac default installation ?
just spoke to tech support - not very helpful at all.
His ideas:
1)Suggested I clear the cache
2)Suggested I create a new user
3)Said I should re-install OS X..
told him that it crashed when I first ran the computer - so, probably not a software config issue
4) Said it might be hardware
5) Said he'd ship me a new AIT graphics card
At this point I had to remind him that iMacs are all-in-one units
6) Said he'd send out a replacement.
As I didn't have the model serial number on me (I'm at work) he said he couldnt help me further...
I'll call again tomorrow, hopefully will get someone a little more switched on
His ideas:
1)Suggested I clear the cache
2)Suggested I create a new user
3)Said I should re-install OS X..
told him that it crashed when I first ran the computer - so, probably not a software config issue
4) Said it might be hardware
5) Said he'd ship me a new AIT graphics card
At this point I had to remind him that iMacs are all-in-one units
6) Said he'd send out a replacement.
As I didn't have the model serial number on me (I'm at work) he said he couldnt help me further...
I'll call again tomorrow, hopefully will get someone a little more switched on
After that massive wait, the 4850 turned out to be too good to be true? Apple's got some 'splaining to do.
I have had my 3.06 / 4850 iMac for about a week (as of lunchtime today). No freezes at all. Lots of WoW on max/Ultra settings; lots of image-processing software (which stresses the CPU, not the GPU).
I booted my iMac up on tuesday and i haven't rebooted it once... been using photoshop, some rendering software and movie transcoding and its been running hot but no lockups or other perceived problems.
Could be that the cpu or gpu's heatsinks aren't seated well or the old bad thermal paste application problems .... anyone got some temp monitoring software on their machine that has problems to see if it is heat related?
Could be that the cpu or gpu's heatsinks aren't seated well or the old bad thermal paste application problems .... anyone got some temp monitoring software on their machine that has problems to see if it is heat related?