Lagoiski

Q: 27 iMac (2012) crashes and requires smc reset to turn on

My late 2012 iMac, i7 16gig RAM 27 inches keeps shutting down. It looks like as if it was unplugged. Happens randomly. Sometimes while playing Diablo 3, surfing facebook or using iphotos or other apps. Seems to not crash if just left on overnight and not been used.

 

In order to turn it on again I have to unplug it from the power line for like 30 seconds, only then it starts.

 

I have the settings set to restart on power failure, but it does not.

 

Happened a few times a few months back. I have installed a surge protector and it worked fine for like a month or two. However last 2 days it has shut down like 10 times...

 

Help would be greatly appreciated. I suspect hardware failure.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), iOS 7.1.1

Posted on May 5, 2014 9:44 PM

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Q: 27 iMac (2012) crashes and requires smc reset to turn on

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  • by FalseAlbie134,

    FalseAlbie134 FalseAlbie134 Jan 12, 2016 2:58 AM in response to sjkmd
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Jan 12, 2016 2:58 AM in response to sjkmd

    Sjkmd your right for sure. I've worked in IT for awhile and this problem could be the worst one I've ever seen as you can't pin point what's actually causing it. I really feel for the people who need the computers for work related things like photographers, video editors, etc......I would have thrown this machine out the window months ago but like everyone here we try to remain patient but I'm loosing mine now. I was so reluctant to get this machine for this reason due to the fact it was self contained and if something needed work or troubleshooting hardware based it would be tough to get to and here we are. Brutal! My machine is not under AC any longer and after reading all these post I will not take it in until we find something credible to replace or fix. Might actually take mine and stand outside the Apple Store in Providence RI this coming weekend and demonstrate why not to purchase anything in the Imac series even if your like most people here and actually love the machine when it preforms right....I'll open PS and Lightroom and give it 5-10 minutes and let them see the screen go black without any real reason on a well maintained and immaculate machine and say this will be you in 2 years.....anyone local want to join me?

  • by slotimport,

    slotimport slotimport Jan 12, 2016 5:17 AM in response to FalseAlbie134
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 12, 2016 5:17 AM in response to FalseAlbie134

    Another one with same problem.

     

    Hope a upgraded power supply will be the fix.

     

     

    Imac 27" Late 2012

     

    Core i5 2.9

     

    16 GB 1600MHz Ram

     

    Nvidia Geforce GTX 660 512 VRam

     

    Bought April 2013

     

    First problems Dec 2015

  • by lukkett0,

    lukkett0 lukkett0 Jan 13, 2016 7:09 AM in response to Lagoiski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2016 7:09 AM in response to Lagoiski

    Hey guys.

     

    Sorry for my bed english.

    Anyone has detected same problem using UPS? Sometimes the shutdown was generating by electronic component due to power supply problems.

  • by fbracci,

    fbracci fbracci Jan 13, 2016 7:19 AM in response to Lagoiski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2016 7:19 AM in response to Lagoiski

    Tomorrow I will go to take back my iMac 27 late 2012 from the Apple store here in Italy. It seems they have changed the power supply and the hard disk.

     

    Let's see what will happen next weeks... but I am afraid that the problem will reappear...

     

    This post has been seen more than 16000 times, how it is possible that Apple has not find jet a solution to this issue?

  • by Robert van Dongen,

    Robert van Dongen Robert van Dongen Jan 13, 2016 7:24 AM in response to FalseAlbie134
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2016 7:24 AM in response to FalseAlbie134

    The computer has performed flawlessly since the power unit replacement. As I said before I could not get in touch with the guy that actually performed the replacement, otherwise I would have asked for specifics. All I can say is that I am quite sure that something was actually been done with the power unit, as the power button feels different now (a bit loose and sticking out a little bit).

  • by lukkett0,

    lukkett0 lukkett0 Jan 13, 2016 7:46 AM in response to fbracci
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2016 7:46 AM in response to fbracci

    Ciao.

    Ho letto il tuo post.

    Tu per caso usi un UPS? Vorrei capire se c'è qualcuno che ha rilevato gli stessi problemi anche utilizzando un gruppo di continuità.

    Un saluto.

  • by fbracci,

    fbracci fbracci Jan 13, 2016 10:51 AM in response to lukkett0
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2016 10:51 AM in response to lukkett0

    Hello, I don't use a ups unit.

     

    Do you have the same issue with an ups?

    **************

    Ciao. no non uso un gruppo di continuità...

     

    Tu hai lo stesso problema con un gruppo di continuità?

  • by laurent.d,

    laurent.d laurent.d Jan 14, 2016 7:46 AM in response to Robert van Dongen
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 7:46 AM in response to Robert van Dongen

    Hi all,

     

    I have been reading the thread for a few month now and it is really staggering to realise we all are experiencing a very similar problem, on so many level, and yet, none of us has a good grasp on the issue nor can share a reliable solution, which is appalling since we all requested help from Apple via the Genius repair service.

    Yes, you may have guessed, I am affected by the issue too, since August 2015. Though not directly, as this is my dad computer, who bought the iMac as a retirement treat early 2013. Still, I am really upset by his experience as it is a source of stress whenever he uses his iMac and worst as it impacts family well being.

     

    I agree with many points raised here, and from what I gathered:

     

    Product: iMac 27inch (late 2012)

    Observed: Random Shutdown - switches from normal usage state to unpowered state, in an instant.

    Frequency: every 10-30 minutes at worse, once a day at best.

     

    After shutdown, iMac can be switched on by performing SMC reset only, with a duration unusually longer.

    Noticed, the longer the computer is unplugged, the greater is the running time before next shutdown.

     

    No software cause detected, regardless of the application running, it can happen

    • on any supported OS X
    • on a freshly installed OS X
    • even while installing OS X

     

    No hardware cause detected,

    • no over heating 
    • Apple hardware analysis reports nothing
    • Apple Store service found nothing 

     

    And it still happens after changing:

    • motherboard
    • power supply  (some said so in the forum, but waiting on Robert response below)
    • hard drive
    • memory
    • power cord
    • connected devices

     

    No predictive element or pattern found, ruled out:

    • user house electrical installation (since several iMac are running fine in the house, even using the very socket of the failing iMac, and this one still  shutdowns when plugged anywhere in the house, with or without ups)

     

    Hypothesis:

    • The hardware not yet tested are the machine structure and the screen, and they correspond in date to the introduction of the brand new super flat screen design(which is now the norm).
    • The frequency of shutdown and the SMC reset time influence seem to indicate a phenomena of charge, which, when reaching a limit, triggers the shutting down.

    There is a sane suspicion to believe that those two observations could be linked, and that investigating them would provide a lead.

     

     

     

    Question to Robert Van Dongen:

    You have had the power supply component changed only and since then have seen once the issue, is it correct?

    If so, anyone here that did the same but who still experienced the issue.

     

    Question to Joe5000:

    Do you have any update, statement from the Apple Representative? (yep, they deleted the contacts you provided)

     

    Question to anyone:

    Is any of you engaged in an higher discussion with Apple and have a reference on the ongoing process.

    As per the Apple brand, this is not a local issue (France in my case), how can this issue be addressed in a global context? 

     

     

    Please keep providing any update you would come across.

    Thanks,

  • by Robert van Dongen,

    Robert van Dongen Robert van Dongen Jan 14, 2016 8:06 AM in response to laurent.d
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 8:06 AM in response to laurent.d

    Answering your question: "You have had the power supply component changed only and since then have seen once the issue, is it correct?"


    The logic board was replaced first, but the issue was not solved. The power unit (661-7170) was the second component to be replaced (on November the 26th) and the issue has not been seen since then.

  • by laurent.d,

    laurent.d laurent.d Jan 14, 2016 8:28 AM in response to Robert van Dongen
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 8:28 AM in response to Robert van Dongen

    Thanks a lot for your quick answer Robert.

    Just waiting a bit to get some one confirming the same behaviour, or on the contrary, indicating that it solved the problem only for a while (not that I am wishing it).

  • by mlediard,

    mlediard mlediard Jan 14, 2016 8:33 AM in response to laurent.d
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 8:33 AM in response to laurent.d

    I have had a power supply replaced on mine. Engineer seemed pretty convinced this was the problem. It's only a been a couple of weeks but no shutdowns so far.

  • by laurent.d,

    laurent.d laurent.d Jan 14, 2016 8:37 AM in response to mlediard
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 8:37 AM in response to mlediard

    Thanks for the comment, crossing fingers for you.

    Just to know, how would you qualify the frequency of shutdown you had, once in an hour like or once a day?

  • by mlediard,

    mlediard mlediard Jan 14, 2016 8:39 AM in response to laurent.d
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 8:39 AM in response to laurent.d

    If left unplugged overnight I would get 2-3 hours. Then after the first switch off no more than 20-30 mins max.

  • by laurent.d,

    laurent.d laurent.d Jan 14, 2016 8:48 AM in response to mlediard
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 8:48 AM in response to mlediard

    Ok, nice to read again confirmation of the behaviour.

    Hopefully, changing the power unit (661-7170) is a real solution.

    And in the worst scenario, if it is some kind of component to change every one, two or three year, as pain-full as it is, it is almost an acceptable deal (less than a 100 euros or dollars).

    Still, I am willing to wait just a little more in case one come with on contradictory case.

     

    Thanks again.

  • by FalseAlbie134,

    FalseAlbie134 FalseAlbie134 Jan 14, 2016 3:19 PM in response to laurent.d
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 3:19 PM in response to laurent.d

    Laurent.d awesome reply here well done just putting all the problems and "attempted" fixes listed on one post is great.  So here is what I have discovered after hours of phone calls and reading on parts. Spoke with a local Mac guy not at Apple store today near home and right away he said he wouldn't even open the 2012 or newer machines as they are too tight and tough to work on and recommended I have Apple do it which again would be fine if I trusted it would fix it but as we all know probably won't. So after the 8 months of having the issue and ****** as can right now I've decided today I'm going to try and order a power supply and tear down this EXPENSIVE paper weight myself, which BTW was off again when I got home this evening.....10th time this week.

     

    My applecare has expired and honestly for the cost of the logic board, power supply and Apples Guru pricing etc its probably cheaper to buy a new machine at this rate so I figure why not attempt this repair myself as machine is really not worth much at this point and I'm determined to figure out whats causing this. I've ordered the tape for screen replacement and tools and will get the part this week and try the power supply first. It will not be the SAME model/version thats in it as I feel like even the replacement parts are junk which also may be causing the issue so why not try something different.  Either way guys I'm going to attempt this maybe next weekend and will let everyone know how it goes after. If not I'm at a lose with this and its just crazy to me that Apple doesn't see what is happening here and offering to at least figure it out for us as most of us would be happy to get it fixed and pay but would like to know whats causing it and see them back it up.

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