ikp92
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: iMac Performance Issue

I bought new a 21.5" iMac last April. It had 8gb of RAM so I wanted to upgrade to 16gb. I purchased the new RAM sticks online and brought it to a local computer repair shop for them to do the upgrade. I got a call the next day from the shop saying they had cracked the screen trying to take it off. They ordered a new one for me and a week later they got it back to me with the upgraded RAM and new screen. As, soon as I brought it home I turned it on only to find out that the fan was running continuously on high speed and also, even worse, the computer was running painfully slow. I brought it back and they couldn't solve the issue so they put back the old 4gb sticks that came with the computer. Months later, I'm still dealing with this issue. I've already tried PRAM and SMC resets. I would appreciate any thoughts on what might be causing this.

iMac

Posted on May 12, 2016 10:00 AM

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ikp92

Q: iMac Performance Issue

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  • by den.thed,

    den.thed den.thed May 12, 2016 10:37 AM in response to ikp92
    Level 7 (27,395 points)
    May 12, 2016 10:37 AM in response to ikp92

    ikp92 wrote:

     

    As, soon as I brought it home I turned it on only to find out that the fan was running continuously on high speed

     

    That sounds like a damaged or disconnected temp. sensor.

    the System Management Controller must see all of the temp. sensors in-order to properly control the fan speeds

     

    Try running the > Apple Diagnostics: Reference codes - Apple Support

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM May 12, 2016 10:36 AM in response to ikp92
    Level 6 (13,660 points)
    iPad
    May 12, 2016 10:36 AM in response to ikp92

    Was this local computer shop an Apple Authorised repair center?

    If not, you lost any AppleCare warranties and help directly from an Apple Store as you have voided your warrranties and voided any future help from Apple or an Apple Store.

    You can try and do an online search for a Apple Authorised reseller/repair center for quotes for possible repair.

    It sounds as if the repair center you took it too forgot to hook up the temp sensor on the hard drive.

    As far as RAM goes, the RAM in 21 inch screen models is not user upgradeable as the RAM in these iMacs is soldered to the logic board.

    I do not know how they were able to change out the RAM.

    Plus, Macs can't use common, over the shelf,  PC style RAM.

    That is why the RAM they installed didn't work.

    Correct and reliable Mac RAM can ONLY be purchased from online Mac RAM sources Crucial memory (crucial.com)  or OWC (macsales.com).

     

    https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/2012_21.5/DDR3L

     

    If your iMac models is a 2012 (model ID 13,1)  or 2013, 2014 (model IDs 13,1, 14,1 or 14,3)  21 inch screen iMac, then the RAM is replaceable, but the newer 2015 models are not as it is soldered to the logic board.